Norman Wells (May 15/06) - Drillers Tavern in Norman Wells must pay $2,500 and close for four days because it failed to stop patrons from taking beer outside.

The Liquor Licensing Board decision on May 1 determined that there were back-to-back infractions it could not ignore, explained Jim McPherson, liquor enforcement co-ordinator.

The tavern was notified by the RCMP when the first "carry-out" occurred on Dec. 11 last year, but then the Mounties spotted another patron emerging with bottle in hand a half-hour later.

"This is one of those things we consider to be a little more serious," McPherson said.

Specifically, the bar was found to not have taken "reasonable precautions to ensure that liquor sold on the premises was not removed from the premises," said a press release on the finding.

Drillers Tavern owner David Guther is okay with that.

"I'm 100 per cent sincere about this: the board did the right thing, but the implication is that you've lost control of your bar," he said on May 11.

"We typically have a doorman to control these people, but from time to time they miss one," Guther said.

The rules are the rules and tavern owners know what they're getting into when they operate the business, Guther said.

However, Guther pointed to changes in liquor laws in some provinces that put more emphasis on the patron's responsibility to keep liquor indoors.

"In Saskatchewan the patron would get a $230 fine and the bar wouldn't get the bill," Guther explained.

He'd like to see the NWT follow that lead.

"It would be a little easier for us to do our job if the onus is on the patron as well," he said, making clear that he believes bars have a responsibility to control their premises.

Banning smoking is one reason some people are still tempted to sneak outside with their beer, he said.

"No one wants to go outside on a cold December night and have a drink," the Drillers Tavern owner said.

"But there are still some people out there who feel they should be able to smoke and drink at the same time."

Drillers will be closed 10 a.m. on May 24-May 29 which at least avoided the May long weekend.