Southbridge Liquor Board Issues Warning to Mackey's Bar, Orders Midnight Closing

SOUTHBRIDGE — April 23, 2026 — Southbridge Liquor Board unanimously finds Mackey's Bar and Grill responsible for a February 25 disturbance and orders a midnight service cutoff. The board, at its April 23 meeting, voted to issue a formal warning to the 621 Chestnut Street establishment after hearing Arrest Report 26-174, which documented that bartender Robert Marlnaise was the sole employee on duty, admitted consuming multiple shots of alcohol during his shift, and was placed in protective custody after officers found him arguing with patrons at 1:55 a.m. Dave Santa, the bar's manager, testified he fired Marlnaise immediately upon learning of the incident. Attorney David Rubin pledged a management restructuring and in-person TIP training by a former Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission agent. The board's unanimous penalty requires alcohol service to stop at midnight, all patrons to clear by 12:30 a.m., and management to be on premises during all operating hours — rolling back a 2 a.m. closing time granted after a prior May 2025 violation. The liquor agent noted this was the third police response to the bar and warned that all three incidents shared a common cause: no management on the premises.