NT Liquor Commission cancels Monte’s Bar and Grill liquor licence as bar sits unused since 2022

The Territory’s liquor commission has stripped the liquor license of a Red Centre bar that has sat empty for two years. Read what decision means for the venue going forward.

Monte's bar and grill in Alice Springs. Picture: Gera Kazakov

A once bustling Red Centre bar – which has sat empty for two years will now be sold without a liquor licence, after a decision was made in relation to a disciplinary action against the premises.

Less than a week after the Northern Territory Liquor Commission sat for a hearing on a disciplinary action against These Clowns – the licensee of Monte’s Bar and Grill in Alice Springs – the decision was made to cancel the bar’s liquor license on July 30.

Liquor Commission deputy chair Jodi Truman made the decision, with health member Professor Phillip Carson and community member Denys Stedman also assisting.

In the decision notes, the commission said it was “satisfied that grounds exist for disciplinary action” due to the fact “the licensee has not used the licensed premises for the sale, supply, service or consumption of liquor” contrary to the 2019 Liquor Act.

Monte’s, which has sat empty since December 23, 2022, has been in liquor license limbo, with the now-owner of the Alice Springs Brewing Co Kyle Pearson the site’s former manager.

The commission notes how Monte’s held licenses as a restaurant bar authority, a BYO authority, and a late night authority from 12 midnight to 2am.

Monte's bar and grill in Alice Springs. Picture: Gera Kazakov

“In about December 2022, Licensing NT confirmed information that the licensee had ceased trading at the premises and that the premises had remained closed since that time,” the decision said.

However, once Monte’s ceased trading, the liquor licence was not transferred over – with the Territory’s liquor authority sending emails in 2023 about outstanding licensing fees, according to the liquor commission decision.

The decision said Monte’s owner Matt Mulga was cc’d in these emails, and paid the fees, before a disciplinary action was launched by the commission on March 25, 2024.

The disciplinary action was launched due to the licence being “currently still”, according to the decision, with the licence needing to be transferred over to a new owner.

Mr Mulga’s reason for not transferring over the license was due to the difficulty in securing a buyer for the venue, according to the decision.

But in letting the licence sit in limbo, the liquor commission reinforced “that a liquor licence is a privilege, not a right, and licences must be utilised for the purpose upon which they are granted – not for holding ad infinitum”.

The decision can be appealed within 28 days.

When contacted by this masthead, Mr Mulga gave no indication whether he would appeal the decision.