Should El Miramar’s Alcohol License Be Revoked?

El Miramar Sports Bar in Watsonville may not be able to serve alcohol much longer.

The city’s planning commission will discuss possibly revoking the Main Street bar’s alcohol license at its Feb. 5 meeting.

The bar violated a number of the commission’s conditions including selling alcohol to minors, lack of effective security, the use of a non-approved mechanical bull and non-compliant with approved hours of operation and entertainment, among other things, according to city documents.

In June, the planning commission requested El Miramar cut its hours in response to a long list of issues with the establishment including late-night music, serving underage patrons and parking catering trucks behind the building, Patch reported.

That wasn’t the first time El Miramar dealt with issues — in March 2012, a fatal stabbing happened outside the bar in what police believe was a gang-related assault.

According to the commission’s report, this is the fourth time the planning commission has reviewed El Miramar since January 2012.

The bar owner, Juan Yepez Garcia, has attended training on how to improve management of his business, but continued to advertise the bar as a nightclub without proper permits.

Watsonville Police visited the business multiple times and during one visit found a minor under the influence of alcohol and in possession of a loaded gun, Register Pajaronian reports. Police also found no security at the bar on another occasion.

Do you think El Miramar's alcohol license should be revoked? Tell us in the comment section below. 

The planning commission’s agenda is available here.

The Watsonville Planning Commission meets at 6 p.m. Feb. 5 at the Watsonville City Council chambers, 275 Main St., fourth floor. 

Stay Patched in! Follow Watsonville Patch on Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for the daily newsletters.