Winnipeg lounge loses liquor serving licence following multiple violations
![Obsidian Ultra Lounge Obsidian Ultra Lounge's liquor license has been cancelled by the LGCA following an overcapacity violation on Feb. 4. (Source: Scott Andersson/CTV News)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/3/4/obsidian-ultra-lounge-1-6794172-1709592781983.jpg)
A Fort Richmond nightclub’s liquor-serving privileges have been revoked following a series of infractions over a 13-month period.
The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority (LGCA) said it has cancelled the licence for Obsidian Ultra Lounge following an overcapacity violation on Feb. 4. It was the seventh infraction at the Pembina Highway nightclub since Dec. 31, 2022.
During a routine inspection on that date, LGCA inspectors reported the bar was overcapacity and patrons were being overserved.
According to the LGCA report, inspectors saw a table of six people with a tray of 19 vodka shots in front of them. Two of the people had additional drinks.
The two inspectors also counted the number of patrons. Their two counts, totalling 181 and 176 people respectively, were both above the lounge’s 150-person capacity.
“The LGCA deems breaches caused by overcapacity as threats to life safety and/or social responsibility,” the report’s decision reads.
Obsidian’s liquor licence was suspended for two days as a result. The bar’s owner appealed the decision, arguing the vodka shots were intended for “15 patrons seated between two separate tables,” but the appeal was dismissed by an LGCA panel.
Over the following year, the LGCA issued six more compliance orders to Obsidian Ultra Lounge. The infractions include four more overcapacity citations – not including the Feb. 4 infraction – and another over-service violation.
Penalties ranged from fines to temporary licence suspensions. In one instance, staff were ordered to complete mandatory training.
Following the Feb. 4 overcapacity violation, the LGCA issued a compliance order to cancel Obsidian Ultra Lounge’s age-restricted liquor service licence.
The nightclub has appealed the decision and a hearing with an LGCA panel is set for Wednesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6975797.1721835642!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Bank of Canada cuts interest rate, signals more to come if inflation keeps dropping
The Bank of Canada has decreased its policy interest rate for the second consecutive time and signalled more cuts are coming if inflation continues to ease.
Wildfire north of Calgary prompts evacuation alert, highway closures
A wildfire is prompting evacuations and highway closures north of Calgary.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
Russian man is among those arrested in plots targeting Paris Olympics
French authorities have foiled several plots to disrupt the 2024 Olympics, including arresting a Russian man in one of them, officials said Wednesday, just days before the opening ceremony of the Summer Games in Paris.
Whale surfaces, capsizes fishing boat off New Hampshire coast
Two fishermen are safe after a whale crashed onto their boat, capsizing it off the New Hampshire shore, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
BREAKING 2 dead, 2 injured after 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.
EXCLUSIVE Canadian company at the centre of alleged international pyramid scheme: authorities
Foreign governments say hundreds of thousands of people in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka lost savings to a company headquartered in Canada. This investigation from the IJF and CTV News shines a new light on how Canadian shell companies and registries were used to pull off the scheme.
Wildfire evacuees ordered to leave Jasper find relief after long journey to safety
Some wildfire evacuees who were trapped in traffic for hours while leaving Jasper National Park say they are feeling relieved to have found safety.
Man who attacked author Salman Rushdie charged with supporting terrorist group
A man who severely injured author Salman Rushdie in a frenzied knife attack in western New York faces a new charge that he supported a terrorist group.