The taps will run dry at a pub owned by former Kiwi league player Brent Todd's company after it flouted liquor laws.
The Thirsty Whale in Three Kings has had its licence suspended for four days after the Liquor Licensing Authority found it had breached its licence andthe Sale of Liquor Act by serving drinks to punters who were not dining on Easter Sunday last year.
Sean Peters, manager on the day, has had his general manager's certificate suspended for four weeks.
Mr Todd is co-director of The Aussie Pub Company, which owns the Thirsty Whale cafe and bar in Mt Albert Rd.
The licence stated that no liquor was to be provided to people at the pub on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Christmas Day or before 1pm on Anzac Day unless they were there to dine.
The Thirsty Whale and Mr Todd would not comment on the decision.
The authority acknowledged the good record of Mr Todd's company and of Mr Peters, who has worked in the industry for 20 years.
However, it could see no real attempt to ensure that the law was being obeyed in this case.
In evidence Mr Todd said the breach was a genuine mistake.
He believed each patron would be met by a member of staff and told they had to eat in order to drink.
Mr Todd, who has interests in several pubs, said he travelled a lot and relied on his managers to run the pub.
The authority said allowing the law to fall into disrespect would lead to liquor abuse issues.
"The only way that standards will be raised in the industry is if examples are made when the law is ignored in this way."
The pub was sprung when two undercover police officers went to it as part of checks on pubs meeting licensing conditions.
The authority acknowledged there had been debate over removing current restrictions on the four "sacrosanct days".
But the law was the law. "This case has an impact not just on the respondents. It seems to us that there has been a constant cry to change the law relating to the closure of taverns and hotels on the three and a half days ... Nevertheless, the law as it stands must be obeyed."
