It’s been more than two weeks since Varsity Tavern in downtown Tempe had its liquor license suspended, and there are no signs of the 7-month-old sports bar reopening anytime soon.
Varsity Tavern’s liquor license was suspended July 2 after a customer climbed over a second-floor balcony railing and either fell or jumped to the sidewalk, suffering a broken elbow and hip, on June 29.
The Texas-based business also is facing charges of serving alcohol to under-age customers in June. It paid more than $15,000 in fines for similar violations in December.
The liquor license suspension only affects liquor sales. Varsity Tavern, which also owns Rodeo Ranch on the ground level of its building on the southeast corner of Mill and Fifth, chose to shut down all operations of both.
Varsity Tavern’s appeal is scheduled to be heard at the state liquor board’s August meeting, so any reopening likely will be late August at the earliest.
