Hampton Beach Bar Petitioning for 'Equal' Treatment

Bernie's Beach Bar has started an online petition in the hopes of securing "equal" late-night entertainment rights after selectmen restricted the business Monday.

The petition, which as of 1 p.m. had nearly 400 signatures, was started by Derek Rousseau and specifically targets the Hampton Board of Selectmen for their decision to not allow TVs and radios past 11 p.m., which is the noise cutoff placed on the business' entertainment license.

"At the selctmen's meeting where we recieved our entertainment license we were told that live [Editor's note: The word "live" wasn't used in selectmen's approval motion] entertainment was to end at 11pm but we could keep our radio's and tv's on till our close of business which is 1am," reads the petition. "They are now considering our radio's and tv's to be live entertainment and are trying to revoke our right to use them past 11pm. All we want is for Bernie's to be a fun atmosphere for all of our patrons. So we are asking you now to please sign this petition and help Bernie's Beach Bar to be treated as an equal to the rest of the businesses on the beach."

Al Fleury strongly stated Monday night that he would pursue legal action against the town to send a message to selectmen.

The petition has a goal of 1,500 signatures, and already features many messages in support of allowing Bernie's to play their TVs and radios at an ambient volume past 11 p.m.

"The Beach is for pleasure after working 50 hrs a week everyday for your Vacation time," wrote David A. Georgeoplous. "people pay good my money for the little time they have to enjoy them selves So their shouldn't be any restrictions on their fun time. Everyone should be treated equal."