Drifters patrons would have been able to drink alcohol in D'agostino's under a request denied by Bloomington's Liquor Commission. (Adam Studzinski/WJBC)

By Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – A downtown bar's request to expand its liquor license was denied Tuesday by the Bloomington Liquor Commission.

Drifters had requested the expansion to allow its customers to drink alcohol in nearby D'agostino's. Owner Nick Hurley said as part of this, D'agostino's would no longer be open until 3 a.m. on weekends which he hoped would help solve what has been identified as a big problem in downtown: people loitering in D'agostino's after the bars close at 2 a.m.

"They're coming from various bars, or establishment on the street, and most of them are relatively intoxicated," Hurley said.

Bloomington Assistant Police Chief Clay Wheeler said he'd spoken with officers who work the late night shift and they also believed this could help solve the problem.

Still, the liquor commission denied the request. Mayor Tari Renner had concerns this would be like adding another bar downtown.

"I'm not going to make a recommendation to the city council to do something that I think would be turned down," said Renner. "It's not that I don't want you to succeed."

Former Mayor Richard Buchanan, who served on the commission for over 30 years, voiced his support for the measure.

"These people know how to run a good shop," said Buchanan. "I do not think it really equates to adding another bar, because if it did I'd have to be against it."

Hurley had no comment to offer after his request was denied.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].