Angry about a St. Patrick's Day street party they say got out of control, residents of Federal Hill are asking the city's liquor board to revoke the licenses of 17 area bars unless they agree not to hold such events.
The neighbors say they documented widespread drunkenness, vomiting and public urination during the Irish Stroll. The sponsors, Lindy Promotions and the Federal Hill Hospitality Association, closed off several city blocks, sold thousands of tickets and encouraged residents to visit the 17 bars involved.
"It's just gotten completely out of hand," said Betsy Homer, who gathered signatures for the petition. "They're peeing all over everything. They're throwing up all over everything. We've become the binge-drinking capital of Baltimore."
Twenty residents signed the petition. They are contesting the liquor licenses of 17 establishments that took part in the March 14 event, mainly on South Charles and East Cross streets, including Magerk's Pub, Ryleigh's Oyster and Mother's.
Brian McComas, an owner of Ryleigh's and president of the Federal Hill Hospitality Association, which represents 20 establishments with liquor licenses, said he and fellow bar owners were declining to comment. Lindy Promotions did not respond to a request for comment. Other bar managers contacted by The Baltimore Sun declined to comment.
Melvin J. Kodenski, a lawyer who has represented several of the bars, said the petition is without merit. "It's not specific enough," he said. "They claim there's all these violations. But I don't know if the record shows that."
The neighbors say the event violated the terms of its permit. According to records filed with the city's Department of General Services, the Irish Stroll was allowed to block off city streets with bike racks to host 300 people. But neighbors say as many as 8,000 people attended, and they took video of inappropriate behavior.
Online advertisements offered drink specials and a free beer holder to the first 3,000 guests. Its website described the event as "sold out."
The liquor board will take up the matter April 23.
Kevin Harris, a spokesman for Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, said the city knew thousands would attend and that police and fire officials planned for an event of that size. Still, he said city officials would consider the residents' views in decisions about whether to grant permits for such events in the future.
"There were a lot of complaints," Harris said. "We'll definitely take those into account moving forward."
Liquor board Chairman Thomas Ward said the panel would let the facts decide the Irish Stroll case. He said the neighbors would need to present specific information against specific license holders to be effective in their arguments.
"We'll see where the facts run," Ward said. "You can't close a bar on general information."
Baltimore police could not immediately provide information on calls for service to the event.
Ward, an 88-year-old former judge who is in his first year as chairman, has gained a reputation as a tough enforcer of liquor laws. He said he plans to retire from the post in June. "By that time, I think the liquor board will be in good shape and it will be time for me to step down," he said. "At my age, I think I'm entitled to it."
City Councilman Eric T. Costello, who represents the Federal Hill area, said he's been working to balance the concerns of community members with the interests of area businesses.
"These types of events can be challenging and a headache," he said. "I've been involved in a number of discussions to come up with a way to better regulate these type of events. No one has found the logical way to do that. If anyone has ideas, I'm certainly willing to listen."
The petition was organized by individual residents. But the president of the Federal Hill Neighborhood Association said she believes the event should be moved because it has grown too large for Federal Hill.
"I understand that crawls are a reality in big cities, but the location needs to be reconsidered," said Beth Whitmer, the group's president. "We are too small to absorb a crowd of that size. The Irish Stroll was not a pretty sight. It needs to be reined in considerably."
Michael Murphy, president of the South Baltimore Neighborhood Association, said the party "resembles the Preakness infield."
"It's become more of a nuisance event over the past two years," he said. "But I don't think closing down all the bars is the right answer."
He said increased police enforcement could make a big difference.
"It needs to move away from an infield party," he said. "It's really not an appropriate event for a neighborhood."
Lindy Promotions is promoting another party in Federal Hill, with a Cinco de Mayo theme, next month.
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