Warning for violence issued to The Kells
Lauren Muskett
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BRIGHTON -Brighton resident Sean Collin is a regular on the local bar scene and enjoys going to bars around his neighborhood. One local bar that he won't go near is The Kells.
"I used to go there, but stopped because of too many fights," Collin said. "When the bar closes there are always (police) cruisers out front as the people spill out on to Brighton Ave. You can't even drive by. They require a couple officers to quiet brawls."
The Kells has been the scene of a string of violent incidents lately.
Between September 2009 and November 2009 The Kells had a connection to two stabbings - one fatal - and a fight involving twelve men for which The Kells received a citation, police records show.
The Boston Licensing Board recently addressed the issue at a hearing and issued The Kells a warning.
Some residents, like Collin, believe that more than a warning should be issued.
"A warning is not enough. They keep fighting and it makes the community look bad," Collin said. "They are the only bar around that have a police detail every night at closing time."
Allston resident Michael Butler enjoys going out to local bars, but considers The Kells "the worst bar in the area."
Some question why The Kells is the only bar in the area where violence is a regular occurrence.
"I don't go in because what happens outside makes me not want to go in," Butler said. "I do not know what happens inside, what I do know is that no other bar in the area requires that much attention."
The Kells is in an area of Allston some residents call LA - lower Allston. It attracts college students because of inexpensive housing.
Although Allston-Brighton is known as a college community nobody has an explanation to why The Kells is the only bar that requires so much attention.
"Locals are not the ones in there at night. Why would you go there when you can go somewhere else and keep out of trouble?" Collin said. "It makes people want to stay away from that area."
The Kells would not comment for this story.