NEWS
Madhatters to open on State
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Also by Anthony Morgano:
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by Anthony Morgano
Thursday, September 20, 2007
A debate of fairness and principle was held Wednesday evening as the Alcohol License Review Committee voted 4-1 to allow the once popular Madhatters bar to move to a new location on State Street, most recently occupied by Fuddruckers.
Originally located at University and Lake streets, redevelopment forced owner Ted Gervasi to move out in the summer of 2006.
The old Madhatters was "less than a block and a half from where I'm asking to go," Gervasi said. "In 20 years, we've never had a problem with a neighbor or a landlord."
Still, Gervasi plans to make improvements at the new location. Bartending licenses will be mandatory for all employees, security measures will be increased and he also plans to serve food at the new establishment as a way of making it more neighborhood-friendly.
"Friday After Class," which Madhatters was also famous for, would also be eliminated.
When asked if he would consider another location, Gervasi said Madhatters has always been a student bar.
"It's been that way since 1986," Gervasi said.
University of Wisconsin students, however, gave their City Council representative Ald. Eli Judge, District 8, mixed reactions on the relocating of Madhatters to State Street. Judge was unable to present any definite opinion to the committee.
Rosemary Lee, a citizen of Madison who spoke at the meeting, was in the minority when she gave her testimony in favor of Madhatters.
"It's only fair when it's no fault of their own," Lee said, citing the business' good record and popularity. "This is strictly a fairness issue. Please approve their request."
Two UW students also spoke out, but in protest. Resident Polly Veltchev responded to Lee's claim of fairness by retorting that one must think of "fairness to the residents living in that area."
Veltchev, who lives only a few blocks from the new location, opposed on the grounds of safety.
"The area is not safe," Veltchev said. "Adding another bar would be a nightmare."
Capt. Carl Gloede of the Madison Police Department praised Madhatters' efforts to reform, but said he could not support the location "because of issues of downtown safety."
However, committee member John McNamara countered Gloede's remarks by saying when talking to cab drivers, he found Madhatters leaving its old location did not decrease the problems in the area.
The only vote against Madhatters, however, was cast by Ald. Michael Schumacher, District 18, who cited his support for City Council decision to pass the Alcohol Density Plan, which will limit liquor establishments downtown.
"Let's add another bar downtown when we as a city are wrestling with this density," Schumacher said with sarcasm.
This was met with protest, however, as Madhatters is not subject to the new ordinance as the bar submitted its application before the plan was approved.
"I'm not invoking the density plan in a legal manner — I'm invoking it in the intent it's trying to achieve," Schumacher said, noting the decision was "not a reflection on whether it's fair or not fair."
Finally, after a lengthy debate, McNamara proposed the license would be granted only under certain voluntary conditions: The capacity should not exceed 150 persons and alcohol sales must cease one hour prior to bar time.
"It would be expensive, but if that's what it takes…" Gervasi said.
The final condition was that the food must be available at all times that alcohol is served.
With four "ayes" and one "nay" from Schumacher, the motion carried.
The recently passed Alcohol Density Plan was not an obstacle, because Gervasi submitted his request for the liquor license before the ordinance became law.
Anonymous (September 20, 2007 @ 3:42am):
very poorly written...
Anonymous (September 20, 2007 @ 8:42am):
Polly Veltchev go back to Russia you Communist. Oh golly, i dont think we can have another bar on state st, i might just have a fit and cry like a baby.
Anonymous (September 20, 2007 @ 8:58am):
Jesus, when did the nanny-staters take over City Hall? Judge has to learn to stand up to them. I can't believe he would waffle on something like this.
Anonymous (September 20, 2007 @ 9:14am):
this bar sucked anyway, bring back cue-nique
Anonymous (September 20, 2007 @ 9:29am):
screw that. Hatters was the best bar in madison. cue-nique? Ive never heard one person say, "lets go drink at cue-nique tonight!" you are a loser.
Anonymous (September 20, 2007 @ 1:32pm):
cue-nique is where the real g's hang..... you can go to madhatters all you want, PUSSY
Anonymous (September 20, 2007 @ 8:03pm):
what was so great about madhattars anyway? Cheap beer, and scantily clad girls...but every bar downtown has them, why do we need one more?
Anonymous (September 20, 2007 @ 9:40pm):
I always remember people going for FAC because they could get in with their fakes easier than across the street at Brothers.
Anonymous (September 21, 2007 @ 8:18am):
"You can never have a bad time at Madhatters"
Best quote ever...
-Kasey J Marty
Anonymous (September 21, 2007 @ 2:27pm):
it's true about it being easy to get in w/ fakes, that and FAC was really the only reason i ever went. not a terrible place but certainly not "the best bar in madison"
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