Two weeks after moving to postpone decision on the Alcohol License Review Committee’s controversial “comprehensive alcohol issues” report, Madison’s Common Council renewed hundreds of liquor licenses at a meeting Tuesday night.


Every city license expires June 30, but the council routinely approves the renewal of nearly all the establishments’ permits annually. Only several so-called “problem bars” were not automatically granted license renewal and will be called before a committee hearing June 12 at 4:30 p.m.


Among the downtown bars in question are Kollege Klub, 529 N. Lake, Church Key, 626 University Ave., Spices Kitchen, 117 State St., and Madison Masala, 227 State St.


The committee will also review Party Port, 2901 University Ave., and Riley’s Wines of the World, 402 W. Gorham, liquor stores frequented by UW-Madison students.


The licencing committee will examine the establishments for a variety of transgressions. Riley’s, for example, is scrutinized for selling to chronic drunks and Kollege Klub has an outstanding prosecution following a large-scale bust for serving under-agers last semester.


Despite the number of campus-area establishments under the microscope next week, the city’s action has nothing to do with an ALRC subcommittee’s recommendations that aim to curb downtown drinking, according to Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4.


“In fact, fewer campus-area bars were called in during the renewal process than last year,” Verveer said.


The council voted to receive the ALRC report May 21 during a meeting that saw testimony in opposition and in favor of the recommendations, which include banning drink specials. But committee chair Ald. Kent Palmer, District 15, stated he would not move any recommendations in front of city council until after labor day, in order to show students they are a welcome part of the process.


UW officials who came out on the side of the efforts included UHS prevention services director Susan Crowley and Assistant to the Chancellor Lamarr Billups, while several students and tavern owners testified against the ban.


Other recommendations include mug shots of individuals sent to detox, more non-alcoholic alternative venues and a renewed emphasis on police action toward house parties.


Tuesday, the council also voted not to retain a downtown loitering ordinance that expired several months ago.