License Commission 10/22/2026

At the City of Worcester License Commission meeting on October 22, 2026, the commission approved several liquor, entertainment, food-service, and lodging-house licensing requests. These included one-day event licenses; new restaurant and YMCA food-service licenses; Be Hoppy Brewing/Wormtown Brewery’s farmer-winery pouring license and premises alteration (to 11,050 square feet); and a WPI lodging-house license for up to 15 students. The commission also approved a bottle-service request and a Halloween event for Next Level Hospitality, with outdoor entertainment and alcohol service limited to midnight. A status hearing for Elco Key Liquor was postponed until December. No procurement, contract awards, purchasing decisions, or budget allocations were identified.

The commission found that Next Level Hospitality violated liquor rules by promoting a free shot and imposed a three-day suspension, with one day to be served on November 5. At a status hearing concerning Hurricane Betty’s, police described alleged licensing and security violations following an October 11 shooting that left one person dead and another injured; the investigation remains ongoing, and a formal violation hearing is pending. A police captain requested an earlier closing time, but the transcript does not show a commission decision on that request. Community members also addressed safety concerns. The commission discussed maintaining previously communicated guidance allowing certain establishments an additional hour, noting that a change could cause confusion.