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A watchful Berkeley Police officer and a crew of beefy private security guards kept a tight reign on revelers gathered Friday night during the second of in a series of “Battle of the Bands” events sponsored by a popular Shattuck Avenue tavern. 

The officer and added security resulted from a complaint by Berkeley City Councilmember Dona Spring after constituents called to voice their concerns after a similar event the week before. 

That evening, festivities ended two hours later than the permitted 10 p.m. closing time because a downtown power outage had delayed the opening. 

Sponsored by Beckett’s Irish Pub, the event was held in the public parking area in 2700 block of Shattuck Avenue as the second in a month-long Friday-night “Battle of the Bands” series. 

Spring said that when last week’s event ended late, some participants had carried the party to the roof of the Gaia Building, annoying neighbors and residents. 

She also received reports about offsite underage drinking—“probably with drinks given them by legitimate customers”—and complaints that bands had cranked up their amps to impermissible levels. 

Pub co-owner Martin Connelly acknowledged that the event had started late because of the power outage, and said the late closing came because “we want to give all the bands a fair shake. We did get a verbal okay from the police to continue.”  

As for the rooftop revelers at the Gaia Building, Connelly said, “I think it’s unfair that we’re being held responsible for someone else’s party.” 

Grace McGuire of the city manager’s staff said that because of Spring’s complaint, she instructed Beckett’s to close last Friday’s event promptly at 10 p.m., which they did. 

The guards kept sidewalk loiterers to a minimum, and the music was kept to a tolerable level. Entrance to the parking area was tightly restricted and IDs rigorously examined throughout as attendees walked through the six-foot-wide admission area. 

Spring said she’d received no complaints concerning the latest event, but she was concerned about another public drinking venue—a pair of rowdy tailgate parties in the city’s Oxford Street parking lot before Sunday’s Bears game. 

As a result, she said, lot attendants have been ordered to keep a close eye on game-time activities. 

Spring said she is “concerned with the inconsistencies in the city’s policies about drinking on the sidewalks on the public right-of-way. If you’re rich and can afford security guards, you can get a special event permit to serve drinks on the public right-of-way, but if you’re homeless and drinking on the streets, you get arrested.” 

While city policy prohibits restaurants and bars from serving drinks at sidewalk tables, the city does issue special events permits, which allow alcohol to be served at events like the Front Row Festival and other public events. 

“By calling it an event, Beckett’s is able to skirt the prohibition,” Spring said. “So much for a clean and sober downtown.” 

The councilmember said the city should be consistent in its drinking policies, and she would like to see to it that all outdoor alcohol consumption is banned. 

“Binge drinking is a nationwide problem on campuses and the city should be doing nothing to encourage it,” Spring said. 

John Martin, co-owner of Triple Rock Brewery at 1920 Shattuck Ave., said he’s participated in outdoor special events, but only on a non-profit basis. 

“If it’s done well, the event can be great for the community and great for the group,” Martin said. 

His microbrewery typically provides their beers and ales free, so the non-profit community groups can gain the full markup for their coffers. 

“Alcohol sales help defray the costs of putting on the events, but not so much if they’re restricted,” Martin said. “We’re a little disappointed with the Front Row Festival and the How Berkeley Can You Be parade for confining drinking to beer gardens.”