Meriden Bar’s Liquor License Suspended After Large Fight, Shooting

MERIDEN, CT — A Meriden bar’s liquor license has been suspended after it was the scene of a large fight and a shooting early Monday morning, according to officials.

Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull on Wednesday signed a summary suspension of the liquor permit for Tequila Galore at 575 North Colony Street in Meriden.

The Meriden Police Department requested the suspension following the events that happened during the early morning hours of May 30.

Tequila Galore was the scene of a large fight and shooting, in which at least one person was shot, and a suspected seven rounds were fired, according to officials.

Officials said the incident closely follows two other incidents at or near the premise, specifically a shooting in front of the establishment on May 14 and a large disturbance that resulted in injuries and required 12 officers to disperse the crowd on March 12.

Police responded to Tequila Galore around 1:10 a.m. on May 30 after receiving multiple 911 calls about a fight inside the bar. While officers were responding to the bar, they received additional calls for shots fired outside of the bar.

Officers found broken glass at the bar and other indicators of a fight that occurred inside the bar area, including a “fresh blood-like substance,” according to police.

Police also found several shell casings on Hicks Street. While officers were at the scene, a gunshot victim with injuries that weren’t life-threatening arrived at MidState Medical Center, according to police.

A woman who left the bar after the fight broke out told police she heard the gunshots and saw that her vehicle was struck by gunfire that caused thousands of dollars in damage.

Tequila Galore’s liquor permit was first issued by the Department of Consumer Protection on a provisional basis on Nov. 23, 2021 and was approved for final permit status on Jan. 6, 2022, according to officials. The permit is set to expire on Nov. 22.

“We expect our permittees to take seriously the responsibility that comes with the privilege of holding a liquor permit,” Seagull said. “It is clear from these repeated events that Tequila Galore is operated in a manner that compromised the health and safety of the public. Thank you to the Meriden Police Department for quickly bringing this matter to my attention. Immediate suspension is justified and necessary to prevent further public safety risks at this facility.”

The premise license is immediately suspended and cannot serve alcohol or be open until further notice, according to Seagull.

Anyone with information about the fight or shooting is asked to call Detective Giannakopoulos at 203-630-6339.