Newtown Exotic Latin former licensee issued two-year disciplinary ban after minors served alcohol

The former licensee of a popular Newtown drinking hole has landed in hot water after minors were served margaritas, shots of whiskey and were filmed drinking in a Snapchat video.

The former licensee of a popular Newtown drinking hole has landed in hot water after a group of minors were served margaritas, shots of whiskey and were filmed drinking booze in a Snapshot video.

Sergio Luis Pinzon Gutierrez has been issued a two-year ban from holding a liquor licence in NSW following a Liquor and Gaming investigation into the service of liquor to underage patrons at the Exotik Latin restaurant and bar in two separate incidents in 2022.

In one of the ancients, Liquor and Gaming said a staff member served four minors a jug of Long Island iced tea after the underage patrons ordered the alcoholic beverage via a QR menu code.

According to Liquor and Gaming, the staff member who was also a minor and did not hold a responsible service of alcohol (RSA) competency card required to serve the alcoholic drink.

Following the incident, the venue’s manager was then observed drinking shots of fireball whisky with the group of minors while a video was recorded for Snapchat carrying the caption: ‘shots with the boss’.

Sergio Luis Pinzon Gutierrez pictured at Exotik Latin in Newtown.

A month later, police attended the venue and observed another minor ordering two margaritas via a QR code at a table.

According to Liquor and Gaming, the drinks were served by staff members who did not hold a current RSA competency card. At no point did any staff members request identification from the minor.

At the time of the incidents, Mr Gutierrez was the registered licensee of the King St venue.

A photo inside the popular venue.

Mr Gutierrez told The Saturday Telegraph the incidents were “regrettable”, but said his role in the conduct was minor and has vowed to appeal the Liquor and Gaming ban.

“I take responsibility as the licensee but I wasn’t necessarily the one who allowed certain things to happen,” he said. “I did my best to meet the liquor license requirements – there was training in place, staff were aware of the RSA rules.

“That’s why I’m going to appeal (the Liquor and Gaming decision).”

A photo of some of the drink options on the venue’s menu.

The venue has been operating for 10 years.

“I agree 100 per cent that the incidents shouldn’t have happened but I didn’t consciously allow it.”

Mr Gutierrez said it can be challenging for venues to verify the ID of customers, particularly in Newtown which is known for attracting a large crowd of younger patrons.

“In King St, there used to be more millennials. Now its all gen z’s and uni students,” he said,

“They tend to be very cheeky, they show fake IDs – it’s deceiving and it’s difficult to manage. when you have volumes of patrons.

“I’m not trying to justify anything but it is a challenge.”

Liquor and Gaming chair Carolina Lamb said the two year ban issued to Mr Gutierrez would reflect the seriousness of the incidents.

“Selling alcohol to minors is considered one of the most serious offences under the (Liquor Act) and constitutes the misuse and abuse of alcohol,” she said.

”These failings demonstrate a lack of appropriate staff training and patron management to ensure liquor is not sold or supplied to persons under the age of 18”.

Exotik Latin was launched in 2014 and is now under new management.