According to the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (OLGR), police had observed a group of teenagers in Palbok House's outdoor dining area consuming soju, a Korean spirit. When the group was asked to provide ID by the officers, one was able to produce a university student card showing he was over the age of 18, but the other four in the group were all found to be younger than 18.
The restaurant's manager had supplied the minors with three bottles of soju and shot glasses. One minor advised she had consumed 1-2 shots, another had a half-consumed bottle of soju with a cup in front of him and appeared slightly intoxicated and a third was still drinking soju, according to the police. The fourth advised she had not consumed alcohol at the premises.
The approved managed admitted that they had not asked for age identification before serving the teenagers alcohol.
OLGR Director of Compliance and Enforcement, Anthony Keon reminded operators that holding a liquor licence carries a high level of responsibility especially in relation to preventing the sale and supply of alcohol to minors under 18.
"Preventing the sale of alcohol to minors is easily achieved by requiring customers to produce a valid evidence of age document prior to being served", Keon said.
"Licensees and managers of licensed venues must take all reasonable steps to ensure there are controls in place to minimise and prevent the sale of alcohol to minors - or they will face serious consequences."
The Royal Hotel in Temora, a Liquor Stax in Terrigal and a Liquorland in Bondi Junction all had their liquor licences suspended by OLGR for similar offenses earlier this year.
Under new laws introduced by the NSW Government last December, licensees can have their liquor licences suspended for up to 28 days for convictions of serving alcohol to minors. Palbok House is currently facing a suspension of 21 days, plus two infringement notices under the Three Strikes disciplinary scheme, totalling $2200. The suspension on Palbok House's liquor licence will end on Wednesday 16 December.
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