December 27, 2022San Diego's Polite Provisions has temporarily shuttered during one of cocktail bar's busiest times of the year following a liquor license suspension activated just days before Christmas.
During the winter holiday season, Polite Provision usually has lines around the block with people looking to enjoy the festive decor and special Miracle on 30th Street cocktail menu. Many years, Polite even opens on Christmas Day and packs the house. Unfortunately for the San Diego cocktail hotspot, the establishment was forced to close on December 23 following a liquor license violation issued by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
"As we approach our 10 year anniversary, we will be taking a winter break," read a post on Polite Provisions' Instagram account. "We will be closed from December 24th, until January 23rd. Fortunate Son will remain open, and in operation under normal schedule all throughout. We look forward to seeing you on our 10th birthday."
While the bar played it out on its social media as merely a "winter break", Polite Provisions liquor license was actually suspended for 30 days for a July 2022 violation for "allowing patrons to leave with open alcoholic beverage containers.". This is not the first suspension for the longtime Normal Heights destination, actually the fourth. The latest was in 2020 when Polite's liquor license was suspended for violation of Section 25177 of the CA ABC rules, which deals with the “sale of distilled spirits in package which has been refilled.” That specific issue reportedly stemmed from batched mixing of cocktail ingredients, according to a representative from the company. Polite Provisions' neighboring American-Chinese restaurant Fortunate Son also
had its liquor license temporarily suspended this past November. It is believed that Consortium Holdings will perform some interior renovations at Polite Provisions during the downtown, including updating the bathroom area and limiting access between hallway leading to Fortunate Son.
Polite Provisions was first opened in February 2013 by San Diego-based hospitality company Consortium Holdings, which now owns around two dozen bars, restaurants and hotels around central San Diego, including seafood-centric
Ironside Fish & Oyster, bi-level steakhouse
Born & Raised, Westfield UTC bottle shop and speakeasy
Raised By Wolves, brunch-centered
Morning Glory, and
Seneca Italian trattoria, to name a few.
Polite Provisions aims to reopen at 4696 30th Street in San Diego's University Heights/North Park on January 23, 2023. For more information, visit
politeprovisions.com.
