DANE 101: ALRC takes up Shamrock's past, Red Rock Saloon's entertainment plans

The post orginally appeared at Dane 101. It was written by Ryan Engel

At the August meeting of Madison’s Alcohol License Review Committee, discussion focused almost entirely on applications for two new businesses, a reborn Shamrock Bar & Grill, and Red Rock Saloon, sister to a BBQ restaurant and entertainment venue in downtown Milwaukee.

Via consent agenda, the ALRC approved a lengthy list of new and temporary applications including those for Star Bar, Stalzy’s annual Oktoberfest, and a beer and distillery festival at Karben4.

Members present: Lisa Subeck (City Alder), Mike Verveer (City Alder), Thomas Landgraf, City Resident), David Hart (City Resident), Michael Donnelly (City Resident), Ann Zambie (City Resident), Shiva Bidar-Sielaff (City Alder), and Sam Stevenson (City Resident).

New Licenses

Of the applications for new licenses, four were acted on as part of the consent agenda. Applications for Red Rock Saloon and Shamrock Bar & Grill garnered separate discussion.  

Shamrock Bar and Grill :: 117 W Main St.

In what turned out to be one of the stranger applications to come before the ALRC: Bobby Mahr, his attorney Rick Petri, and building owner Larry Lichte spoke in support of Mahr’s application for both a 21+ Entertainment License and a license to server beer, wine and liquor at a brand new Shamrock Bar and Grill. Speaking in opposition were representatives of the John J. O’Connell family trust, which has a lien claim on the assets of Glenn Jahns, owner of the Shamrock bar from 2005 until it closed earlier this year. (More background on the history of the Shamrock and the troubles of owners past is available from Isthmus)

With more than one reference to the Orpheum’s troubled history, members of
the ALRC asked question after probing question, listening to testimony about the financial value of goodwill and exploring whether the essence of a business is tied its location, the staff who work there, the business name, or all of the above. After more than two hours of discussion, the ALRC voted to approve Mahr’s applications, provided he demonstrate to the City Attorney’s Office his legal right to occupy the physical space before the Common Council meeting scheduled for September 3.

Red Rock Saloon :: 322 W Johnson St.

As the first business to apply for an alcohol license under the Entertainment Venue exemption to the city’s Alcohol Beverage License Plan, the owner-operators of the Red Rock Saloon faced multiple lines of questioning about the entertainment they planned to offer. Though at times described as a patchwork, ALRC members overall seemed open to the idea that live country music, country-western and rock-themed audio and video DJ performances, live-band karaoke, and a mechanical bull, along with the ability to operate as a full restaurant (serving wings, burgers, brisket, and other things smoked) during lunch and dinner hours, would allow Red Rock to qualify. The ALRC was not, however, willing to grant a license without first seeing a detailed business plan, a requirement of the Entertainment Venue exemption that Red Rock’s partners were unaware of until hours before the ALRC meeting. As a result, the application was referred to ALRC’s September meeting.

Star Bar :: 754 E Washington Ave.

Peter Gentry, owner and brewer at One Barrel Brewing, applied for a license to operate Star Bar, a full service craft beer and cocktail bar, located in the new Constellation building on East Washington Ave. Star Bar also plans to serve wine as well as a limited food menu. 

Minerva Indian Cuisine :: 515 Junction Rd.

Minvera, a restaurant opening in a space previously home to China Star, intends to serve beer and wine alongside a full South Indian lunch and dinner menu.

Artful Escapes :: 6661 Odana Rd.

This soon-to-open art studio originally requested a license in order to serve beer and wine to painting students. At the request of the business owner, the application was placed on file without prejudice via the consent agenda.

El Jalapeno :: 1318 Midvale Blvd.

Located in the strip mall perhaps best associated with Le Tigre Lounge, and in a space previously occupied by Taqueria Guanajuatence, this restaurant plans a “full beverage service” of both beer and liquor alongside a lunch and dinner Mexican menu.

Change of Licensed Premise

Two applicants sought permission to increase attendance capacities for temporary events, and one application was for a permanent change. Applications for Karben4 and Stalzy’s were approved as via the consent agenda.

Johnny Delmonico’s :: 130 Pinckney St.

Downtown steakhouse Johnny Delmonico’s submitted an application to expand onto a fourth floor terrace and to operate a sidewalk cafe seating area. The terrace expansion, with seating for 100, and the smaller, 25-person sidewalk cafe, will nearly double Johnny Delmonico’s total capacity. After a quick clarification about how the 125 new seats would be distributed across the two new seating areas, this application was approved.

Karben4 Brewing :: 3698 Kinsman Blvd.

As part of a beer/distillery festival, Karben4 Brewing applied to temporarily expand its outdoor patio via a large tent. The afternoon festival, a ticketed event with a focus on local beer and liquor, is planned for September 7 and will also include food from Tipsy Cow and music performed by a 6-piece bluegrass band.

Stalzy’s Deli :: 2701 Atwood Ave.

In preparation for its 3rd annual Oktoberfest celebration, Stalzey’s Deli applied for a temporary permit to use its adjacent parking lot to serve food and beer. The event will run from 11 am until 9 pm on October 5 and will include live music throughout the day. 

Temporary Class B Licnse Concurrent with Street Use

Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center :: 800, 900, and 1000 blocks of Williamson St.

Members of the Wil-Mar Neighborhood center applied for, and were granted, a permit to serve tap beer at the Willy Street Fair. The fair is scheduled to take place on September 21 and 22; the application was approved as part of the consent agenda.

21+ Entertainment License

Three businesses applied for 21+ entertainment licenses, and all three were approved on the consent agenda. They were:

- Mexico Lindo, with a capacity of 96, at 2001 Zeier Rd.

- Great Dane Pub at Hilldale, with a capacity of 473, at 357 Price Pl.

- Harmony Bar, with a capacity of 200, at 2201 Atwood Ave.

Revocation Complaints

Mondays :: 523 State St.

As part of a deal between Madison’s City Attorney Office and owner Gary Garten, Mondays will close for a total of 30 days before Monday, December 2. The deal, a negotiated settlement stemming from accusations that Mondays served drinks to numerous underage individuals in 2012 and 2013, allows Mondays to choose whether to close either for a single span of 30 days or for two spans of 15 days each. This and other terms of the deal came to the ALRC with a unanimous recommendation from a special ALRC subcommittee, and it was approved without dissent.