Yellowknife (Sep 15/06) - The Wildcat Cafe's liquor license has been revoked for its final three days of operation and fined $500 for being at 170 per cent capacity.

The decision came at a show cause hearing in front of the NWT Liquor Licensing Board in Yellowknife, Tuesday morning.

Brad Morrissey, the operator of the Wildcat Cafe, said he's pleased with the NWT Liquor Licensing Board's decision to fine the cafe $500 and revoke its licence for the last three days it's open.

"We do view overcrowding as a serious safety issue," said Don Kindt, board chairperson.

The board also recommended that Brad Morrissey, the cafe operator, employ a door-person to ensure there are no overcrowding issues in the future.

When asked about the decision, Morrissey said it was the best case scenario.

"I'm very pleased with what happened, it's not that drastic," he said.

Morrissey admitted he was expecting a stricter punishment that could have affected when the cafe opened again next year.

Liquor Enforcement officer Joey Sutton told the board he was just finishing an inspection at another restaurant on Aug. 11 when he noticed the Wildcat Cafe looked full.

"It was overcrowded, so I did a head count," said Sutton.

After counting twice, Sutton told Morrissey there were 57 people in the cafe, 25 people over the capacity limit on the cafe's liquor licence.

Sutton told Morrissey he had to reduce the number of patrons in the cafe.

Morrissey immediately cancelled the live music. Sutton said it only took 15 minutes for the cafe to clear enough people out to adhere to the liquor licence.

Representing himself at the hearing, Morrissey admitted the cafe was guilty of the overcrowding violation.

"I'm admitting guilt to it... the violation did occur," said Morrissey, who did not take the opportunity to explain the circumstances of the night.

In an earlier interview with Yellowknifer, Morrissey said he was short-staffed at the time and was doing dishes in the back, so he didn't know there were too many people in the cafe.

He has cancelled all jam nights after Aug. 11 to ensure the problem wouldn't happen again.

Morrissey asked the board to revoke his liquor licence and reduce the suggested $1,500 fine because of profits he describes as "very, very, very small."

Before rendering its decision, Kindt said the board recognized the cafe was a seasonal operation, and took that into consideration.

The cafe can no longer serve alcohol today, tomorrow, or Sunday.

But Morrissey said the cafe will still be open for lunch and dinner on Friday and for brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

Morrissey plans to re-open the cafe for the 2007 May long weekend, but said he isn't sure if he will bring the jam sessions back.