Toronto, July 24: A Toronto bar has lost its liquor licence after an Ontario tribunal concluded that its owner and manager knowingly purchased alcohol stolen from LCBO stores by individuals associated with a nearby homeless encampment.
In a decision released last week, the Licence Appeal Tribunal upheld the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario’s (AGCO) decision to revoke the liquor licence of Southside Johnny’s Bar and Grill in Etobicoke.
The tribunal found that owner John Theodorakakis and manager Yasmin Gomes knowingly bought stolen alcohol over several months in early 2025.
According to the ruling, investigators observed individuals stealing bottles from nearby LCBO outlets before walking directly to the rear entrance of the bar, where the alcohol was allegedly handed over.
The AGCO issued a notice of proposal to revoke the establishment’s liquor licence in December 2025, a decision that Theodorakakis appealed.
During the hearing, Theodorakakis testified that he initially refused to purchase the stolen alcohol but later agreed after allegedly becoming the target of repeated acts of vandalism.
He told the tribunal that his business suffered slashed vehicle tires, the theft of a licence plate and thousands of dollars in property damage, prompting him to buy the alcohol in an effort to avoid further retaliation.
Tribunal adjudicator Bruce Stanton acknowledged that Theodorakakis appeared to be attempting to “keep the peace,” but ruled that this did not justify purchasing stolen property.
The decision noted that the owner never contacted police regarding the alleged threats or property damage.
While the tribunal found insufficient evidence to conclude that stolen alcohol had been sold or served to customers, it determined that both Theodorakakis and Gomes admitted to using some of the stolen liquor and other goods for personal purposes.
The tribunal ruled that they either knew, or reasonably should have known, that purchasing and possessing stolen property was unlawful.
The hearing also found the establishment violated Ontario liquor regulations by transferring leftover alcohol into unlabelled “overage bottles” rather than storing and serving it from its original manufacturer-labelled containers.
Before the incidents in question, Theodorakakis had reportedly held liquor licences for approximately 40 years without any disciplinary record.
Southside Johnny’s Bar and Grill currently lists itself on social media as temporarily closed for renovations, describing the closure as preparation for “an exciting new chapter,” without referring to the tribunal’s decision.
The tribunal’s ruling reinforces the responsibility of licensed establishments to comply with Ontario’s liquor laws and regulations, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the acquisition of alcohol.
The decision relates to administrative licensing proceedings