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ALRC continues to lift drink special bans
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The Alcohol License Review Committee removed drink-special bans from Crave Restaurant and Lounge, Buck’s Madison Square Garden and Madison’s Dining and Diversions Tuesday, a week after bans were lifted on three other area bars.
Earlier last week, the City Council removed drink-special bans from Regent Street Retreat, Hawks and the King Club.
The Alcohol License Review Committee decision at its meeting Tuesday continues the recent trend of removing drink-special bans from local establishments in an attempt to level the business playing field in Madison, according to Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4.
By removing drink-special bans, many local bars claim they will now be able to remain competitive with other venues selling alcohol.
Bans on drink specials were originally installed after the University of Wisconsin’s Policy Alternatives Community and Education Project addressed issues of underage drinking and alcohol-related violence. By banning drink specials at certain establishments, they claimed these issues would become less prevalent.
According to Verveer, many local establishments felt they would be negatively targeted by ALRC, at the prompting of PACE, if they did not adhere to the voluntary bans.
“[Bars and restaurant owners] didn’t try to fight the drink-special bans because they were worried that their entire license would be in jeopardy if they didn’t voluntarily accept the conditions,” Verveer said.
The ALRC’s decision to remove the bans on Buck’s Madison Square Garden, Madison’s Dining and Diversions and Crave Restaurant and Lounge will be finalized at the City Council meeting Sept. 21.
Despite lifting the restrictions on drink sales, the City Council is still considering implementing a city-wide drink-special ban.
The committee also discussed the future of Grid Iron, a bar located near Camp Randall. Four residents who live by the Grid Iron attended the meeting.
While these residents understand football Saturdays bring a large number of people to the Camp Randall neighborhood and area bars, they do not approve of the poor security and loud music of Grid Iron.
Laurie Robertson spoke against the establishment.
“The Grid Iron seems to stand out like a sore thumb in terms of the way it’s operated,” Robertson said to the committee. “The Grid Iron does not match the other establishments in the area.”
Richard Scott, another resident of the area, agreed.
“When somebody gets drunk and passes out, they go on my property,” Scott said during the meeting.
A final decision on the fate of Grid Iron has been pushed until next month’s ALRC meeting.
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yes.. change the a bar frequented by thousands of badger fans from around the state because 4 neighbors think it’s too loud.. someone should crucify the neighbors for being so stupid..
yes.. change the a bar frequented by thousands of badger fans from around the state because 4 neighbors think it’s too loud.. someone should crucify the neighbors for being so stupid..
How can they even look themselves in the mirror after saying those things with a straight face? “The Grid Iron doesnt match up to the other establishments in the area” Can you count how many shootings have happened at the Grid Iron as compared to other establishments in the area. zero, I’m also pretty sure that other bars have had people in them that were drunk whether or not they got drunk there and those people passed out. why do you think the ALRC tried so hard with their drink special ban, People in Wisconsin like to drink. Are we slowing trying to mo;ve back into prohibition. Try and think of the last time You went to or near a bar where people werent drinking alcohol or talking or listening to music. Oh that’s right that was church.
Quit being so selfish and remember, you live in a downtown college area with bars, you want peace and quiet and tranquility, move to the country. You don’t go swimming expecting to stay dry. so people lets try and be realistic.
Go Brian!