Square Peg Pizzeria’s Storrs location has been fined by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection’s Liquor Control Division for various violations, including selling alcohol to a minor.
The $7,500 fine also punished the pizza chain for “three counts of minor loitering” and other permit violations, “including that the restaurant had a disc jockey playing music… and that it did not have sufficient seating,” according to reporting from The Day. The restaurant also served a three-day suspension of their liquor license, from Jan. 26 to Jan. 28.
The fine came after an anonymous February 2025 complaint to the department, which led to an undercover operation by Connecticut State Police and liquor control agents on April 25, 2025, according to reporting from The Day.
“Square Peg Pizza does not identify people at the door and allows minors in every weekend night to consume alcohol,” the complaint said. “The(y) operate as a college nightclub and barely a pizza restaurant. Staff are told to allow anyone in with any ID because they are a restaurant, but minors drink and dance on the tables every weekend.”
During the investigation, two liquor control agents went undercover, paying the $10 cover for the restaurant and then waiting to “identify suspected minors,” The Day reported. The investigation found that one minor was sold alcohol after they used a fake New Jersey driver’s license.
Square Peg Storrs owner Joseph Bennett said that the store checks all IDs at the door and uses age statement forms often. These forms are legal documents requiring a person to confirm that they are 21 or older and aware of the consequences of buying alcohol underage or lying on the form, including a fine of $100 for the first offense and up to $250 for subsequent offenses. Bennett said the store followed the law on its end, as it checked the offender’s ID and made them sign an age statement form.
Square Peg’s liquor license has now been reactivated, and the restaurant can legally sell alcohol again.
Square Peg has locations across the state, including Vernon, Shelton, Glastonbury, East Hartford and the newest location in Preston, opened in September 2025. There is also a location in Delray Beach, Florida. The investigation and fine only pertained to the Storrs location.