Bar to stop selling $1 drinks after brawl

The Halifax bar where 38 people were arrested in a brawl has its licence backafter promising to beef up security and hike drink prices.

The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board reinstated the Dome's licence at a hearing Friday, a day after the province's alcohol and gaming division endorsed the bar's new security plan.

Grafton Connor Group, the owner of the Dome, has agreed to end the sale of $1 drinks, add more video cameras and impose a lifetime ban on troublemakers.

The plan is getting a good review from Halifax Regional Police.

"I think it would be naive to suggest that this is going to solve all the problems in the downtown area, but certainly it's a positive step," said Supt. Don Spicer.

The Dome's licence was suspended Christmas Eve, hours after a large brawl that started inside the sprawling complex spilled onto the street.

By the time extra police arrived, a series of fights were underway, and police later arrested 38 people.

Mayor Peter Kellysaidhe was alarmedby the number of recent alcohol-related incidents and suggestedcheap drink nightswereto blame.

In addition to eliminating the $1-a-drink deal, the bar is raising the minimumprice to $2.50 and will stop advertising drink prices.

"We're pleased and happy with how this licensee has addressed the issue of cheap drinks," said Dennis Kerr,executive director of theLabour Department's alcohol and gaming division.

"I have no doubt that government is probably watching that and reviewing that," he added.

Other measures agreed to include:

• Limiting the number of patrons to 80 per centof bar capacity.
• Hiring at leastfour off-duty police on a busy night, up from two.
• Doublingsecurity staff inside the bar.
• Hiring a consultantfor security training.
• Doubling the number of videocameras to 64 and giving police access to them.
  

When it comes to the lifetime ban for known troublemakers, the bar hopes to set a precedent.

"We're recommending that if somebody is barred from one establishment for life,he's barred from others as well," said Gary Hurst, owner of the Grafton Connor Group.

The reinstatement of theDome's licence is effective immediately; however, the bar won't open for New Year's Eve because it couldn't get extra security staff.