A Queenstown bar manager has had her licence suspended for three months.
Powder Room manager Charlotte McCubbine was in charge of the troubled bar when police observed bar staff drinking shots and no food available.
She was also in the country illegally for a month after her employers failed to renew her work visa and records show she worked during that time.
Alcohol and Regulatory Licensing Authority's Judge John Hole, in a reserved judgement published after a Queenstown hearing on September 29, said that on the bare facts of the breaches, cancellation of her general manager certificate was a possibility.
But Judge Hole said Ms McCubbine ''has been badly let down by both licensees'' of the premises.
Barra Pista Ltd was selling the bar to Taiaroa Capital Ltd and both firms had temporary authorities from the district liquor licensing to run the bar at the same time.
''The only conclusion that can be drawn from evidence is that neither ''had any idea as to who was in charge of the premises from time to time'', Judge Hole said.
''The place was dysfunctional.''
He was scathing in his assessment of evidence given by Daniel Taiaroa to the hearing, labelling it ''patently self-serving''.
Ms McCubbine was listed as a director of Barra Pista Ltd but it was obvious she was a ''pawn''.
She was given too much responsibility during her probationary year after gaining her certificate in September 2013, Judge Hole said. Police visited in April, June and August 2014.
''With this background, it is little wonder that Ms McCubbine failed so dismally to carry out her duties as a manager,'' Judge Hole said.
''During her probationary year she has undertaken an excessive amount of responsibility in respect of the premises which is well beyond her experience.
''It has been a hard learning curve for her. In all the circumstances, it is appropriate that she be given another chance.''
Ms McCubbine's general manager certificate actually expired on September 24 but she has applied to the District Licensing Committee for renewal.
In any case, it is suspended for 90 days by Arla from October 27.
The Powder Room was last before the authority in June.
It was issued a three-month temporary authority after incidents involving alleged drug snorting, a drunk duty manager and a fight that involved a naked man.
Another Queenstown bar owned by Daniel Taiaroa, Skybar, was closed for 72 hours earlier this year after a series of incidents in 2012 and 2013.
