Toronto bar faces 60-day liquor licence suspension following 19-year-old’s death: AGCO

Mister Wolf on Queen Street West is seen on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. (CTV News Toronto)

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) says is it suspending the licence of a bar on Queen Street West for 60 days after a 19-year-old was found dead inside.

After conducting an investigation into what happened at Mister Wolf on May 25, 2024, the AGCO determined the bar “permitted intoxication to occur on the licensed premises.”

The provincial agency says the 19-year-old was sitting with a group in the VIP area, where they were served three large bottles of liquor.

“After consuming numerous drinks throughout the night, the patron began repeatedly stumbling, staggering, losing his balance, engaging in physical altercations with other patrons, and exhibiting visible signs of intoxication,” AGCO said in a release issued Wednesday.

The agency adds that neither security nor staff, at any point, intervened “in any way.”

A toxicology report revealed the 19-year-old’s blood alcohol content was more than double the legal driving limit, per the Criminal Code of Canada.

“This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical responsibility licensees have to prioritize the safety of their patrons. We trust a 60-day suspension of their liquor licence will motivate the licensee to take all necessary actions to ensure responsible service and the safety of their patrons,” Dr. Karin Schnaar, AGCO’s CEO, said in the release.

“The AGCO will certainly be monitoring closely that they do.”

With all of the information available, the AGCO concluded bar staff “knew or ought to have known that the deceased was exhibiting clear signs of intoxication and failed to intervene as required.”

An AGCO spokesperson told CP24 that Mister Wolf has 15 days to appeal the licence suspension to the Licence Appeal Tribunal.

The provincial agency says it has been working closely with the Toronto Police Service, who laid separate charges under the Liquor Licence and Control Act (LLCA). That matter is currently in front of the courts, the AGCO adds.

A Toronto police spokesperson confirmed to CTV News Toronto that they laid charges under the LLCA against Mister Wolf and its business owner, including selling and supplying liquor to an intoxicated person, and permitting intoxication and disorderly conduct on the premises.

No criminal charges were laid.

Police could not provide the victim’s identity or any additional information regarding the case.