City Fines, Suspends BlackFinn's Liquor Permit Citing Safety Concerns

After a number of incidents at BlackFinn American Saloon, including a brawl in October, city officials have suspended BlackFinn’s late-night liquor permit for seven days beginning Nov. 16, according to a city press release.

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While meeting with city officials Nov. 5, BlackFinn admitted to four violations of the city's liquor code and voluntarily agreed to the suspension. The popular downtown Naperville bar also agreed to installing an ID checking system in the next 30 days, security cameras within a one-year time-frame as well as local Beverage Alcohol Sellers and Servers Education and Training for its security staff.

If no additional liquor code violations occur during the first three days of the suspension, the city will suspend the remaining four days, city officials said.

The city also fined BlackFinn $1,000, according to the city.  

After a police investigation, the city’s legal department reviewed the liquor code violations and drafted a recommendation for Mayor A. George Pradel, the city’s liquor commissioner, to review and approve, according to the city.

“I believe suspending BlackFinn’s late-night liquor permit is fair and reasonable,” Pradel said in a press release. “The safety of the downtown is a top priority, and I approve of this agreement and find this to be an acceptable solution in this instance.”

On Oct. 27, four men were arrested after a brawl broke out between them around 1:28 a.m. at BlackFinn. One of the men had to be subdued with a Tazer, according to the Naperville Police Department. 

Officers were in the area of the bar that night when they "observed several subjects fighting," according to a police press release. Police said the men began fighting inside BlackFinn before spilling into the street. 

Naperville police, along with assistance from the DuPage County Sheriff's Deparment, intervened and arrested the four men outside of the bar. 

“The safety of those persons who visit downtown Naperville is a top priority for the Naperville Police Department,” Naperville Police Chief Robert Marshall said in a press release. “Our objective is to ensure those who visit have a pleasurable and safe experience. Those who chose to be disruptive, violate our ordinances and liquor codes and ruin the experience for others will be held accountable.”