THE party stopped suddenly for revellers at three busy Bournemouth bars closed during a Home Office licensing crackdown.

Klute, iBar and Smokin’ Aces had to stop trading after a visit by a team of Home Office experts, Dorset Police and council licensing officers.

Klute and iBar were pulled up on 12 “irresponsible practice” offences between them and still cannot sell alcohol.

In total, 10 licensed premises were targeted as part of the three-day Home Office visit.

A police spokesman told the Daily Echo: “Seven bars were operating within the law, but three had breached licensing laws.

“These included two offences for failure to keep accurate records and to follow the mandatory licensing code.

“Overall there were 12 separate licensing offences and the bars were issued with closure notices that requires them to stop any licensable activity.

“So they cannot sell drinks or anything on the premises.”

But Smokin’ Aces, in Commercial Road, was able to re-open the next evening, manager John Adams said.

“This was a misunderstanding by the police and the licensing authority. They understood we had a restaurant licence and so were breaking it, but it is a bar licence and we were operating according to that.

“We only closed half an hour early and everything is back to normal.”

iBar and Klute were unavailable for comment on the crackdown, which took place on Thursday, January 20.

This story was updated at 2pm to reflect the updated version in print in today's Echo.


Factfile

• IBar, in Holdenhurst Road, is split over two levels and prides itself on being digital and futuristic.

The bar has a custom music-player where guests can pick what tracks they listen to, while the club below hosts DJs and bands.

• Klute is a cocktail bar in Exeter Road and drinkers can spill upstairs into Funki Sushi, a restaurant by day. Music tends to be laid back R'n'B or hip-hop.

• Smokin' Aces is a cocktail bar and whiskey lounge in Commercial Road. The website promises "fresh sounds" and a "downtown atmosphere".