Van Andel Arena's Liquor License Has Been Suspended

Hold the ice. Hockey fans at Grand Rapids' Van Andel Arena will be unable to buy alcohol at four upcoming games after a liquor license violation.

Van Andel Arena has issued a press release detailing the penalties for a violation of Michigan's Liquor Control Commission's policies:

...during a Grand Rapids Police Department operation at a Grand Rapids Griffins game on March 8, 2019, concessions staff and volunteers checked but failed to validate the vertical licenses of four patrons attempting to purchase alcoholic beverages, and those patrons were served.

Vertical IDs, under Michigan's new drivers license system indicate the holder is under 21 years of age. If the person is, in fact, over 21 the ID would be expired and considered invalid. Michigan law leaves the penalty open to interpretation by a judge.

The penalty for selling alcoholic beverages to a person under the age of 21 may be a fine, suspension of the liquor license, revocation of the liquor license or any combination of these penalties. It is up to the Hearing Commissioner or Administrative Law Judge to determine the penalty if you are found responsible for this violation. The Hearing Commissioner or Administrative Law Judge assessing the penalty considers the length of licensure, past violation history, age of the underage patron and other mitigating circumstances when issuing their order.
-Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

Van Andel Arena representatives have apologized and will not serve alcoholic beverages of any kind at four upcoming Grand Rapids Griffin games:

Wednesday, Oct. 23 vs Milwaukee Admirals
Friday, Oct. 25 vs Manitoba Moose
Saturday, Oct. 26 vs Texas Stars
Wednesday, Oct. 30 vs Iowa Wild

We are very disappointed that there was a breakdown in procedures that led to these penalties. This is certainly not the norm. We have an exceptional track record of providing quality service by thousands of employees to more than 16 million patrons over the past 23 years. There have been no further incidents since this occurrence.

There are no other events at the arena scheduled during that time frame.

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