Liquor Control Commission temporarily suspends 144 Temple St. nightclub and bar
Connecticut’s Liquor Control Commission, a division of the Department of Consumer Protection, temporarily suspended and imposed a $13,000 fine on 144 Temple St. for the alleged violation of six statute counts.

Samad Hakani, Photography Editor
The State of Connecticut’s Liquor Control Commission temporarily suspended the liquor permit of 144 Temple St. — a nightclub, bar and restaurant — on Jan. 15.
The suspension, which was accompanied by a $13,000 fine, will last 13 days total, targeting four Thursday-Saturday weekends until Feb. 14.
According to reports obtained by the News, the penalties imposed are in response to discoveries made by nighttime undercover special investigations teams of Liquor Control officers on Dec. 7, 2023, Jan. 26, 2024 and Jan. 27, 2024. These officers identified the alleged sale and delivery of liquor to minors, unlawful smoking, failure to provide daily records, minors loitering in barrooms and other violations on premises.
“Typically, [with cases like these], we’ll get a complaint from a consumer, police department, or town official, and our investigators will follow up with that business and do an inspection,” said Kaitlyn Kresselt, director of communications at the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. “There’s a few different pathways it could go [from there]. In this case, they worked with us to come to a settlement agreement, in which they’re not necessarily admitting guilt but agreeing to a penalty based on the allegations of suspected violations of the statutes.”
The December 2023 report filed by the officers referenced owner Marc Alderucci’s ID verification processes. Alderucci explained that all patrons are screened by security at the door and by bartenders before being served. Many customers are also required to fill out age verification forms.
According to Kresselt, the suspension period is negotiated based on the operating hours of the business. The penalties for 144 Temple St., she added, are also relatively more severe than the norm and pay specific attention to their busiest nights.
After the suspension period, 144 Temple St. will be permitted to return to its former operating schedule.
The News was unable to reach the management team at 144 Temple St.
144 Temple St. opened on Dec. 3, 2022 after the former business in its location — Elm City Tap House — had its liquor license permanently revoked for unlawful sale of alcohol to minors.
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