Jump Inn Craft Beer Bar Alice Springs has liquor licence suspended over CCTV footage

A Northern Territory bar has been ordered to temporarily halt hosting gigs after a man was hit ‘at least 50 times’ in the head by a woman wielding a thong at the venue.

Jump Inn Craft Beer Bar, located in the Gap, Alice Springs. Picture: Gera Kazakov

An Alice Springs venue has had its license suspended on certain days and been ordered to “refrain” from hosting live music, after a man was struck at least 50 times on a rowdy night.

Jump Inn licensee Sachindra Chaurasiya, alongside his wife and co-licensee Caecelia Chanata, were recently back before the Territory’s Liquor Commission for a disciplinary hearing.

Liquor Commission chairman Russell Goldflam published his decision on February 14, where he suspended the venue’s licence on certain dates.

He made his decision in light of the finding there “were in excess of 100 patrons” at the bar on October 15, 2024.

That night there was a band playing and when Licensing NT senior compliance officer Amber James entered the venue, “there were a lot of people arguing, and people were getting violent, loud and aggressive, raising their arms, hitting other people, yelling and pushing,” she told the commission.

Jump Inn Craft Beer Bar, located in the Gap, Alice Springs. Picture: Gera Kazakov

“People were dancing on the tables,” she said.

Jump Inn has a restaurant bar authority, with patrons needing to be seated when consuming alcohol within the venue, Mr Goldflam’s decision noted.

Ms James told the commission she also saw empty cans of a beer brand which was not available for purchase at the bar littered around the venue.

Mr Goldflam said CCTV footage from the venue showed one woman striking a man “a least 50 times” on the head with her “opened toed sandals,” her open hand, and her fist.

The man also hit the woman back on “several occasions” with staff members having “an unobstructed view of the assaults,” Mr Goldflam determined.

“It was only after liquor inspectors recommended to staff that intoxicated and disorderly patrons be removed that staff approached (the woman) and (another man) and talked to them, requesting they leave,” Mr Goldflam said in his decision.

The woman stayed on the premises “a further 15 minutes” after being asked to leave.

Inside the Jump Inn Craft Beer Bar, on a different night. Picture: Jump Inn Craft Beer Bar/ NT Liquor Commission

Mr Goldflam stopped the venue from trading on Tuesdays and Fridays until March 4, and directed the venue “refrain from providing live entertainment at the premises” until the same date.

He also ordered the venue employ at least one crowd controller whenever the venue hosted gigs.

Mr Chaurasiya was also directed to create a policy manual, staff training manual, and a staff training register alongside a register “of the steps it takes to ensure the nominees are aware of, understand and comply with all of their powers and duties under the Liquor Act 2019, the Liquor Regulations 2019, and the licence” by Mr Goldflam.

Previously, Mr Chaurasiya was before the Liquor Commission in September 2024, where he was fined $880 for employing a minor behind the bar and ordered against making “happy hour” promotions.

In his decision, Mr Goldflam noted the positive changes the licensee had made in the wake of the first disciplinary action, and called the night in question a “bad night” for the bar.

Responding to the complaint, Mr Chaurasiya said there have been “no further breaches” at his venue since the night in question.

He admitted to the breach ahead of the hearing through his lawyer and told the commission the bar now has a licensed security guard on the door when gigs are happening.