Judge rules Bo-James will not serve 30 day suspension

Downtown Iowa city bar Bo-James will have its doors open for the opening of the Iowa football season.

District Court Judge Paul Miller ruled on Monday Bo-James does not have to serve a 30 day suspension handed down to them by the Alcoholic Beverages Division.

Bo-James now has a stay against Alcoholic Beverages Division action pending appeal to district court. Miller said the timing of the suspension would cause the bar irreparable damages and the bar would have no means to get its damages back if it wins its appeal.

“We are extremely excited that we will be here serving the Hawkeye fans coming to town,” Bo-James owner Leah Cohen said. “I was very concerned the Alcoholic Beverages Division would try to close us down during one of the busiest months of the year.”

The suspension was to start Sept. 3, the day before the Iowa football team's home opener against Eastern Illinois. It would have ended on Oct. 3, the day after the homecoming game against Penn State.

The Beverages Division took action after two people under the legal age working with Iowa City Police were able to enter the bar, a 21 only establishment, on Jan. 30, 2009 without being asked for an ID. They were then served beer by a bartender without their ID being checked.

Cohen said she feels the alcohol sting could constitute entrapment and her staff takes great caution in keeping underage people out of the bar. Cohen added the bartender who served the underage patrons during the sting was found not guilty by a jury in May 2009.