New Haven Officials Aim to Crack Down on Underage Drinking at 'Juice Bars'

City leaders and residents demand action against establishments enabling underage alcohol consumption and violence.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:34pm

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Residents and officials in New Haven, Connecticut are calling for a crackdown on so-called 'juice bars' - separate areas within bars and nightclubs that serve non-alcoholic beverages to underage patrons. Mayor Justin Elicker and Acting Police Chief David Zannelli say these juice bars increase underage drinking and gun violence, citing a recent Halloween incident where 4 people were shot. The city is pursuing new zoning ordinances to prevent new juice bars from opening and seeking to deny liquor license renewals for the three main problem establishments: Gotham Citi Café, Rumaj, and Secrets.

Why it matters

Underage drinking and the associated violence at these juice bars have become a major public safety concern in New Haven. City leaders are taking action to shut down these establishments and prevent new ones from opening in order to protect young people and improve overall community safety.

The details

According to officials, the three juice bar establishments with remonstrance petitions - Gotham Citi Café, Rumaj, and Secrets - have collectively resulted in 250 emergency calls over the past seven months. Residents like Bill Dully describe the scene at these juice bars as 'like level six on Grand Theft Auto' with 'assaults, drug dealing, and fights.' The city is pursuing a new zoning ordinance to prevent any new juice bars from opening, similar to an ordinance that has blocked new smoke shops. They also want the state to deny liquor license renewals for the current problem establishments.

  • Over the past seven months, the three establishments have collectively resulted in 250 emergency calls.
  • This past Halloween, large crowds at juice bar events in New Haven led to violence, with 4 people shot, including 18-year-old Alexa Acevedo of Norwich, Connecticut.

The players

Justin Elicker

The mayor of New Haven, Connecticut who is leading the crackdown on underage drinking at juice bars in the city.

David Zannelli

The acting police chief of New Haven who says juice bars increase violence and underage drinking in the city.

Bill Dully

A New Haven resident who describes the scene at juice bars as 'like level six on Grand Theft Auto' with 'assaults, drug dealing, and fights.'

Christine Kim

The Alder for Ward 7 in New Haven who says this is a statewide issue that requires action to protect children.

Elias Theodore

The Alder for Ward 1 in New Haven who is pushing for increased public safety to ensure violence drops at these establishments.

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What they’re saying

“It's like level six on Grand Theft Auto. There's assaults, there's drug dealing, there's fights.”

— Bill Dully, New Haven Resident

“This is a statewide issue of our children and to protect our children we need to act.”

— Christine Kim, Alder for Ward 7, New Haven

“It is not fun to go out dancing or with your friends and worry about not coming home.”

— Elias Theodore, Alder for Ward 1, New Haven

What’s next

The city of New Haven is pursuing a new zoning ordinance that would prevent any new juice bars from opening, similar to an ordinance that has blocked new smoke shops. They are also hoping the state will deny liquor license renewals for the three main problem establishments: Gotham Citi Café, Rumaj, and Secrets.

The takeaway

This crackdown on juice bars in New Haven highlights the broader issue of underage drinking and associated violence in cities across the country. By taking action to shut down these establishments and prevent new ones from opening, New Haven is taking an important step to improve public safety and protect young people in the community.