McCarthy insists that since the ABCC hearing, he has redoubled his efforts to prevent minors from entering the bar. He says he is considering installing a swipe machine to verify the authenticity of ID's within the next two weeks, such as the ones used at clubs on Lansdowne Street.

But if steps such as these will placate the authorities whom Rafferty says are "chomping at the bit" to close McCarthy's doors, they may not bode well for his business.

Although McCarthy says his receipts remain healthy--and should increase for the duration of the March college basketball tournament--student regulars at the Grille counter that attendance at the bar has dropped due to more scrupulous efforts by bouncers and fears that ABCC investigators may be lurking in the woodwork.

The four Harvard first-years caught in the most recent ABCC sting will probably not join whatever crowd chooses to watch the games on McCarthy's satellite TV system--they have been summoned to the Freshman Dean's Office and their cases will be brought before the Administrative Board next week.

Mo' Money, No Problems

McCarthy, a 56-year-old Greater Boston local with a career in the restaurant business, purchased the Grille in July 1993 for $250,000.

Within two months, state investigators cast doubt on his compliance with the Massachusetts drinking age statute. ABCC records reveal that on September 23, 1993, investigator Keith J. Keady found that the Grille performed a "cursory check at best of ID's when presented by the very young looking patrons."

Almost two months after that, the ABCC held a hearing on four counts of serving alcohol to minors and informed McCarthy his license would be suspended for 24 days.