📰BIDDEFORD | Hakuna Matata… May Have a Few Worries

2 hours ago

2 min read

By Joshua Wolfe, The Biddeford Buzz

Hakuna Matata (HM) is the newest bar to open in Downtown Biddeford and received their Liquor License approval from Biddeford City Council just 3 months ago on August 18, 2026.

Owned by Bernard Katende and technically located at 193 Main Street, the bar is housed in the former location of the old Adam’s Street Pub, with the entrance to the establishment located on Adams Street across from Biddeford City Hall.

According to Disney’s major motion picture “The Lion King”, which was first released in 1994, the Swahili phrase Hakuna Matata roughly translates to “no worries”, and it appears the Biddeford Police Department feels the bar may be taking their name a bit too literally when complying with Maine Liquor Laws.

Just one week ago, on October 24, The Biddeford Police Department issued not 1… not 2… not 3… and not even 4… but 17 summons for minors consuming liquor (underage drinking), and possession of false identification (fake ID) directly in the area of Hakuna Matata.

A quick review of the police reports which show the “home addresses” affiliated with the minors issued summons, suggests that the majority of individuals were from out of state and or students from local universities.

Per Title 28-A, In Maine the legal drinking age is 21 and it is illegal for anyone under 21 to purchase, possess or consume alcohol. Bars and restaurants cannot legally serve, furnish, give, or deliver alcohol to anyone under 21 and individuals that are subject to liability for doing so, include the server, bartender, and owner of the establishment, with potential charges ranging from civil, criminal, and administrative penalties.

Maine ServSafe also outlines that serving alcohol to a minor is a class D crime.

In addition, ServSafe lists the penalties in Maine for serving a minor as:

• First Offense: Punishable by a fine of up to $2,000.

• Second Offense (within 6 years): Punishable by a fine between $500 and $2,000.

• Third or Subsequent Offense (within 6 years): Punishable by a fine between $1,000 and $2,000.

• If Serious Injury or Death Occurs: It escalates to a Class C crime, which is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 (and potential prison time)

Important to note, Under the Maine Liquor Liability Act, a bar or server who negligently serves alcohol to a minor can be held civilly liable for damages caused by that minor.

According to City Staff, “If a Biddeford resident believes that a business is breaking laws and should have its license revoked, they are encouraged to reach out either to the Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages & Lottery Operations (BABLO) and/or to the Biddeford Police Department to report the issue”.

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