Montes Lounge in stand-up drink fight

Monte’s Lounge is hoping to hit a bullseye in its fourth attempt to secure a licence variation, after being knocked back three times by the NT Gambling and Licensing Services.

Monte's licensee, Matt Mulga with the notice of application for change to conditions PHOTO: PHIL WILLIAMS

Popular food and beverage locale, Monte’s Lounge, is hoping to hit a bullseye in it’sits fourth attempt to secure a licence variation, after being knocked back three times by the NT Gambling and Licensing Services.

The carnival-themed establishment, located on Todd Street, currently operates under a ‘Restaurant’ permit, serving colourful dishes, fine wine and funky liquor options.

However, a series of alleged licence breaches, which include patrons standing for prolonged periods of time, has forced restaurateur Matt Mulga to apply for an ‘On Licence’ permit.

“Liquor Commission inspectors are claiming we have breached our licence 12 times because patrons are standing,” he said “They will come in at 1am and say ‘there are people standing’, and I will say ‘well, they were all sitting at 7pm’.

“The Department of Business is also threatening to cancel our licence for a month, which will mean we lose our kitchen and frontline staff. If that happens, I don’t know if we could open again.”

The changes would mean Monte’s Lounge would no longer be required to ensure patrons are seated at all times, but would need to continue providing meals as part of the businesses operating model.

“We have no intention of changing anything - our hours of trade, the way that we operate, and our kitchen times will all stay the same,” Mulga said.

“We are not interested in removing the seats because I think people want to sit down and have a drink. Our clientele is after work, a few beers, a meal, a chat with your mates and then you go home.

“If the government is so opposed to people having fun in nice bars, they should issue travel warnings when people get on aeroplanes.”

The People’s Alcohol Action Coalition has protested the previous three applications, and spokesman, Dr John Boffa, confirmed the organisation intended to maintain its stance.

“(Mulga) has lost the fight three times so I don’t know why he is applying again,” he said. “He is going through the back door to try and get a nightclub-type premises. But, if he wants to run as a nightclub, that is the licence he needs to apply for.

“He is being very pedantic in saying people can’t even briefly stand up or go from table to table with a drink in their hand. He has been told this is not the breach - the breach is if people are standing around and drinking.

“The other problem is when he has bands playing, people are standing around with their drinks while they watch. This, again, changes the nature of the premises.

“He already has a very successful outlet that people like going to, but we are of the view that the town has enough nightclubs and we don’t need another one in that precinct.”

However, Mulga strongly dismissed the argument.

“Too many venues in town? There are venues closing in town,” he said. “PAAC has a fear that every operator under the sun wants to turn their venue into some wild west beer bar, but (Monte’s) wouldn’t be a success if it was that.

“We have no signs up suggesting ‘cheap alcohol’ or alcohol that may be in line with the anti-social behaviour, and we don’t offer silly shooter drinks or fizzy drinks that girls get drunk quickly on. We are exactly the type of venue that PAAC should be endorsing rather than jumping up and down, trying to close.

“They claim they are fine with the venue the way it is, but obviously they are not aware of the difficulties we are facing. And they all drink here.”