Eleven Bar’s liquor licence hangs in the balance as a company director admits "we haven’t been the best, but we have learned".
Company directors Naveen Malhotra and Nikesh Singh faced opposition at a district licensing committee hearing in Dunedin last week as representatives from police, Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand, a licensing inspector and Students for Sensible Drug Policy objected to the renewal of the licence for the busy Octagon bar.
Among those giving evidence for the bar last week were a DJ who provided weekend entertainment, a regular patron and the main duty manager Steven Dewe — each saying intoxicated people were dealt with in a safe and legal fashion on the premises.
"I have made mistakes no doubt, I have learned," Mr Malhotra said.
Early in his Eleven Bar career, Mr Singh went to the bar with his two daughters and their friend, who was 16 years old at the time.
Mr Singh acknowledged it was a breach of the liquor licence as he was not the legal guardian of one of the girls.
"I’m confident that I know what I’m doing right now.
"Yes, there have been breaches ...
"We haven’t been the best, but we have learned."
Mr Singh said his motivations for taking on the bar were initially financially driven, saying "I saw it as an investment opportunity".
Due to staff shortages he was forced to take on the role of duty manager, acknowledging "none of us had the experience" and "it is very difficult to find people".
Mr Singh said he "promoted a good vibe policy" and recruited the help of a trusted security agency to assist in the management of intoxication levels.
"We don’t want any discrimination or phobias against any genders, colours or creed ... we want everyone to be able to have fun in a safe environment."
Over the past few months Eleven Bar had implemented a more structured approach, with Mr Singh outlining an: "increased number of staff, more security, two-way radios, more monitoring of the liquor ban area, more checks of intox ... security are checking bags more, because we have found empty bags on the premises".
Mr Singh and Mr Mulhotra maintained they only had good intentions, acknowledging patrons’ drug use was not something they could take accountability for.
"I think they are using substances all over the place," Mr Singh said.
Better structures were in place to ensure staff were trained properly, with staff completing Servsafe certificates and documents of training policies being provided to the panel.
The hearing is set to continue this week.
