All Quiet on the Western Front

The Cambridge Chronicle reports today that The Western Front -- a popular bar and music venue in Cambridgeport -- has been slapped with a five-day suspension of its operating license, forcing management to close the club during that time. The action was taken in response to a March incident when Cambridge Police responding to reports of gun shots in the area were denied entry to the bar. Though owner Marvin Gillmore had closed the bar early that evening because of a fight that took place, police say they say a number of individuals inside who failed to respond when they requested entry. This lack of response, combined with the fact that employee Jeffrey Gillmore lives across the street and should have heard the incident which continued even after the venue closed, led the licensing board to believe that club employees had purposely evaded police.

This is only the second licensing-commission action against the Western Front in its 15 year history. In 1990 the club received a warning for serving alcohol after legal drinking hours. In addition to the five day license suspension, the owners will be required to become active with the Cambridge Licensee Advisory Board (CLAB), a non-profit group aimed at curbing underage drinking -- even though this recent incident has nothing to do with underage drinking.

Photo courtesy of the Cambridge Arts Council