Photo by Yonas Hassen

As previously reported, Sticky Rice will not be able to serve alcohol for the next two weeks due to an Alcohol Beverage Control Board punishment.

At issue is the ejection of two Alcohol Beverage Regulation Administration investigators from the H Street NE restaurant on New Year’s Eve. According to their account, owner Jason Martin questioned the validity of one of investigator’s credentials then forcibly asked them to leave in a “strange” encounter. According to Martin, the two investigators were “very high-energy, acting aggressive and agitated,” and one showed him an ID that did not belong to him.

It was at this point that I asked the first gentleman (Mr. Apraku) for identification. Mr. Apraku showed me a black wallet which housed a badge, but no photo identification. I then asked the second gentleman (Mr. Jones) for his identification he quickly flashed a wallet housing a badge and photo ID of someone who was clearly not him. I attempted to obtain a closer look at the Identification but was told that I need to remove my hands from the ID. I complied but after seeing the clearly false identification, I was left with heightened anxiety about the potentially dangerous situation I could be dealing with, such as two random men using tactics to gain access to a back room or office. I was also particularly concerned by the false identification which was shown to me because I knew Sticky Rice was in compliance with paying for extended operating hours on New Year’s Eve and was not sure why any real ABRA official would not already had record of this.

In the end, the ABC Board sided with the ABRA investigators and suspended Sticky Rice’s liquor license for 15 days. Sticky Rice did not appeal the ruling, so until November 27, H Street revelers will have to find booze elsewhere.

Sticky Rice is sad about this.