Bowling alley bar's liquor license suspended

The bar and casino at Pick’s Bowling Alley in Bigfork was slapped with a 20-day suspension of its liquor and gaming license following a string of state violations.

The bar and casino area of the establishment was sealed off by the Montana Department of Revenue on June 25. The suspension will remain in effect until July 13.

Due to the settlement conditions of a previous incident, the business will not be allowed to appeal the suspension.

In that incident, the business was held responsible for allowing alcohol to be served after hours to a man who later died in a head-on collision with a Montana Highway Patrol vehicle.

“This is a follow-up to a civil action taken by the state,” said Flathead County undersheriff Jordan White.

That action included a chain of fines for selling alcohol after closing time and to underage customers, White said.

White noted that although charges were brought against individual employees through the county sheriff’s department, the action taken against the business—including the fines and the eventual closure of the bar — was handled by the state.

“It’s really an incentive to make owners of the establishment take responsibility for their staff,” White said.