The Greatest Bar Busted by Officials & Cops Last Night

Last night, members of Boston's Problem Properties Task Force and city police officers entered a Friend Street club and demanded to meet with its owners within 24 hours, lest the Greatest Bar lose its occupancy permit, the Boston Herald reported.

"The history of this property is intense, and when we try to work with them, they’ve been unresponsive," Inspectional Services Commissioner William Christopher told the Herald. "We’re trying to send a clear message."

Christopher and his colleagues visited the bar after more than 20 incidents have taken place there in the past year, including assault on a police officer, according to the Herald. While authorities were there last night, they cited the Greatest Bar for egress issues, too.

The business owner wasn't present last night, the Herald said, and if that person fails to meet with the city today, Christopher said the bar would lose its occupancy permit and would be forced to shutter.

An employee reached at the Greatest Bar today had no comment on whether or how the company plans to respond to the city's demands.

U2 is headlining the first of four shows at the TD Garden tonight, located across the street from the Greatest Bar. The Herald notes this weekend will be a big one for area venues; the Greatest Bar has an after-party planned following tomorrow night's show.

"We don’t want to have" to shut them down, Christopher said.

The Greatest Bar will open as usual at 4 p.m. today, unless it fails to meet the city's ultimatum.

UPDATE, 4:20 p.m.: The Greatest Bar can remain open, reports the Globe, and there will be another inspection tomorrow.