Consumer Protection Issues Summary Suspension for White Rabbit in Hartford

HARTFORD - Today, Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli signed a summary suspension of the provisional liquor permit for White Rabbit (LIR.21832.P-CW), located at 201 Ann Uccello Street in Hartford.

The liquor permit is suspended effective immediately through 11:59 pm on March 10, 2026. At that time, the provisional restaurant liquor permit will expire. The business is not allowed to sell or serve alcohol.

This suspension is the result of ongoing coordination between DCP Liquor Control and the Hartford Police Department following repeated issues at the establishment, including:

• Frequent Hartford Police Department response and public safety issues at the premises
• Denials of immediate access to Hartford Police Department and DCP Liquor Control staff during investigations
• Ongoing zoning/noise problems
• Non-cooperation during the licensing review
• Failure to comply with the Hartford Police Chief's order requiring a police detail

On Thursday, Hartford Police Chief James Rovella required the premises to hire two police offers daily, if the business is open. That order went into effect immediately, with a two-hour grace period. Several hours after meeting with Chief Rovella and the termination of the grace period, Hartford police officers found the premises open and operational without a police detail in direct violation of Chief Rovella's order.

"It is rare for our agency to exercise our right to suspend a provisional permit in this way, but the actions of the ownership at White Rabbit leave us no other option," said DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli. "The premises' immediate and blatant disregard of orders from the Hartford Police Department, in addition to repeated behavior that delays and impedes investigations by DCP into the application and premises operations, creates public safety concerns in the surrounding area. Given the number of issues that have arisen in the three months that the permit has been operational, it is clear the ownership of this establishment is not prepared for the responsibility that comes with the privilege of holding a liquor permit."

The premise license is immediately suspended, and the establishment may not serve alcohol until further notice. While the business may still serve food, they must comply with the Hartford Police Department's order for police security.

The provisional permit was first issued by DCP on December 9, 2025, and is set to expire on March 10, 2026. The application remains pending, subject to further investigation and proceedings.

A copy of the letter from Hartford Police Chief Rovella with the order for police detail, a copy of the police report from March 5, 2026, the suspension placard, and summary suspension order are attached.

Those with concerns about a liquor permit holder in the State of Connecticut may contact DCP's Liquor Control Division at (860) 713-6210, or by emailing [email protected].