Read in the Metro today that due to the new sprinkler law in Boston (due to The Station fire in RI a few years back) Sunset Grille in Allston was almost shut-down by the Fire Department, but they made an appeal and are still open. A similar article is on boston.com: http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2007/11/three_boston_ba.html

Basically, what happened is they were classified as a bar by the city. They are appealling because they say they are a restaurant, they just happen to have a very good tap list. The sprinkler law only pertains to "places of entertainment," such as bars, nightclubs, etc... They don't think they should have to install the sprinklers. There's also issues with the plumbing since their building is quite old. Here is a statement from Marc, the owner of Sunset Grill, Big City and Sunset Cantina:

WE ARE OPEN 365 days a year. Here's the deal we have appealed the fire boards decision based on the fact that they some how determined we were a bar and we clearly are a restaurant, with an large beer selection If we had the wine selection rather than beer we would be all set unfortunately there is still a "disrespect" for beer out there thats hard to change. This is the main argument against us? Either way we have a good relationship with the city and the fire dept.its just the process. Our building is on the historic register and the outdated water system on Brighton Ave put some challenges into putting a sprinkler system in.Big City is in the same situation but has not gotten a hearing date yet. If we do need to put sprinklers we would do it in steps so we would not need to close at all , the beer and food will be flowing we have not closed a day in 20 years, stay open thru expansions,construction,blizzards,power outages, xmas/thanksgiving etc..

Cheers, Marc @ Sunset

And damn! Haven't closed a day in 20 years?!?! Good on them! Keep the beer flowing!

Good update Jeff, that makes a lot of sense.

thanks for the info