Roslindale bar gets warning after two patrons collapse from snorting fentanyl-laced cocaine in a restroom that was supposed to be closed

The Boston Licensing Board yesterday issued a warning to Napper Tandy's, 4187-4195 Washington St. in Roslindale, for a Dec. 5 incident in which two guys playing pool went into a men's room that was supposed to be closed to snort some coke, then came out and collapsed to the floor - one as EMTs and firefighters were already on hand to help the other - because their powder turned out to be laced with fentanyl.

The warning goes into the bar's folder and could mean an actual sanction should the bar be cited again for a license violation - in this case overdoses on the premises.

At a hearing on Tuesday, however, bar owner John Jacobs said he has taken steps to make sure that won't happen. To start, he replaced the manager on duty that night. But also, he said he's installed locks on restroom doors - patrons now have to get a key from a staffer - and installed a new camera system - and database to alert workers of people who have been banned from the premises. Referring to the two guys who were transported to Beth Israel, he said, "these people obviously are no longer admitted.

According to a police report, the two men were playing pool around 9:40 p.m., when first one, then the other, went into the men's room despite an "out of order" sign. They didn't close the door, so other people in the poolroom - including some off-duty bar workers also playing pool - "appeared to motion as if they were snorting drugs in the bathroom."

Jacob said an on-duty bar worker then went in and told them to get out, and they did and went back to playing pool. But then one collapsed. The bar called 911. Firefighters and EMTs arrived and as they were giving him Narcan, the second man started to collapse as well. He was helped to the floor by the first responders. After both were revived, they were taken to the hospital.