A new restaurant concept may soon fill the Britannia Arms space in downtown Monterey.
According to a public notice, Benny Walker’s Incorporated has expressed interest in the business and its liquor license. The people behind BWI are Susan and Benny Mosqueda, owners of the popular Seaside destination The Butter House. Both are restaurant veterans.
The Type 47 liquor license allowing for the sale of wine, beer and spirits and attached to the restaurant, is in the public comment phase.
The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control revoked the liquor license held by Britannia Arms owner Paul Whitecross on Nov. 21, 2024. The decision resulted from management of the restaurant “operating a disorderly house which created a law enforcement problem,” according to an ABC statement issued at the time.
An ABC accusation notice provided to the Weekly indicates that between August 2022 and December 2023, there were 17 police calls to the location. Ten of these were allegedly responses to fights or the brandishing of a weapon.
There had been no other disciplinary actions by ABC against Britannia Arms. The agency allowed a 180-day stay on the suspension to allow Whitecross time to transfer the license to a new owner. Whitecross elected to put the business up for sale.