- Southside Johnny's Bar and Grill has lost its liquor licence after being found guilty of buying stolen alcohol from members of a nearby encampment, with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) issuing a notice of proposal to revoke the licence.
- The Licence Appeal Tribunal upheld the revocation of the liquor licence, stating that the bar's conduct provided reasonable grounds for belief that it would not operate in accordance with the law.
- Owner John Theodorakakis admitted to purchasing stolen alcohol several times per week to keep the peace with encampment residents who were harassing customers and damaging property.
- The tribunal dismissed the appeal, stating that the harassment experienced by the bar did not justify the illegal purchases, as there was no evidence of police involvement.
- Southside Johnny's announced a temporary closure on social media, stating it is working on a new chapter for the establishment.
- The AGCO's investigation revealed that staff at Southside Johnny's were involved in purchasing stolen liquor from encampment members, including items stolen from LCBO stores.
- Surveillance footage showed stolen bottles being delivered to the bar, where manager Yasmin Gomes paid cash for them.
- Theodorakakis testified that the encampment members caused $5,000 to $6,000 worth of damage to his property, which contributed to his decision to purchase stolen goods.
Southside Johnny's Bar and Grill in Toronto has lost its liquor license after an investigation revealed that owner John Theodorakakis and manager Yasmin Gomes purchased stolen alcohol from a nearby homeless encampment. The tribunal found that the bar's conduct raised serious concerns about its integrity and compliance with legal standards.12468
Theodorakakis admitted to buying stolen liquor 'several times per week' to 'keep the peace' with encampment residents who were reportedly harassing customers and damaging property. He testified that the gang caused $5,000 to $6,000 in damages, including vandalism and theft of vehicle license plates.9
Despite acknowledging the harassment, the tribunal ruled that the illegal purchases were unjustifiable, stating that the bar never contacted police or its insurer about the incidents. The adjudicator noted, 'I find the repeated conduct provides no confidence the appellant can be trusted to maintain the high-quality of service and compliance with legal standards.'5
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario's investigation concluded that the bar's management knowingly engaged in illegal activities, undermining the trust required for licensed establishments. Following the ruling, Southside Johnny's announced a temporary closure, stating, 'Big changes are coming.' The decision has been described as a potential 'death sentence' for the establishment, which has been a community fixture for over 21 years.
“The tribunal's ruling cited evidence that owner John Theodorakakis and manager Yasmin Gomes admitted buying stolen liquor 'several times per week' for months. LCBO surveillance showed stolen bottles delivered to the bar's rear door, and the bar also used an 'overage bottle' system to combine leftover alcohol, a practice the owner admitted was not compliant.”
