Boston May Ban Glassware From Bars After Too Many Bar Fights

Editor's Note: A statement from the office of Boston mayor Martin J. Walsh confirms, "At this time there are no current plans to ban glassware from bars/restaurants."

Boston may soon be responsible for the return of the Solo cup. The Liquor Licensing Board of the Massachusetts city is fed up with raucous fights at bar establishments and may ban glassware at restaurants and bars where multiple violent incidents have taken place, according to the Boston Herald.

These aren't just your run-of-the-mill gritty Irish pubs, either. Several repeat offenders of violent bar fights that have resulted in broken glasses have been swanky spots, like two hotel bars, Minibar and Bond Lounge at the Langham, that were recently chastised in front of the board for multiple fights.

"If we see a pattern of glass as a weapon it will no longer be allowed," Christine Puglini, the board's chairwoman, said at a hearing yesterday, addressing representatives of Minibar, a Copley Square Hotel bar. "You may be high-end, but you're not acting high-end."

Needless to say, restaurants and bars aren't thrilled about ditching their classier glassware for plastic cups that are more easily knocked over and scream "frat party," rather than "adult drinking establishment."

"It makes no sense to offer a legal drug — alcohol — and blame the outcome on packaging," Michael Anthony, general manager at Townsman, a Boston brasserie, said. "That's just asinine."