The Madison Alcohol License Review Committee will meet Wednesday, Sept. 18, at 5:30 p.m. As detailed in its agenda (PDF), here are some of the new establishments seeking licenses and other key orders of business.
The Red Rock Saloon is back before the ALRC after its appearance before the committee in August resulted in request for a more detailed business plan, especially considering its application as an entertainment venue, a new exemption under the city’s alcohol beverage license plan that would allow the Red Rock to gain a license while selling less food than a full-fledged restaurant.
The site in question is the old Logan's Madtown spot at 322 W. Johnson St., one which has been rife with underage drinking and other difficulties. The Red Rock, a "country-themed restaurant and bar with a mechanical bull, live music and award-winning barbecue" needs to fill a large space -- 9,000 square feet. In the new business plan filed with the city, the project team says it will also use that space to cater to large group functions (meetings and parties). Entertainment will include national touring acts, live band karaoke, video jockeys, and, of course, the mechanical bull. The business plan also includes a more detailed security plan that discusses how the business plans to deal with its 18+ entertainment license and the 21-year-old drinking age.
A new fast casual restaurant from the owners of legendary tavern/cheese purveyor Baumgartner's, in Monroe, is coming in to 910 Regent St. O.S.S. will be the name of the eatery. In paperwork filed with the city, the anticipated opening date is listed as Jan. 1, 2014. Co-owner Christopher Soukup says that they have some "extensive remodeling" to do before opening.
Viet Bistro, at 658 W. Washington (this is in the strip mall at the corner with Regent Street) is requesting a liquor license; it expects income to come 95% from food, just 5% from alcohol.
Bassett Street Brunch Club is a new Food Fight restaurant coming to new development including a Hampton Inn hotel at 444 W. Johnson St. In paperwork filed with the city, the anticipated opening date is listed as Oct. 18, 2013. Bassett Street Brunch Club is described as serving elevated comfort food in a modern big-city-style atmosphere, with modern cocktails and appetizers in the bar space. Plans for word-of-mouth promotion through social media may be hampered by the first rule of Bassett Street Brunch Club: You do not talk about Bassett Street Brunch Club.
Underground Catering is applying for a liquor license for its catering to be done at the new Central Library, where it will be providing food and drink for weddings, fund raisers and other events in the new space. Documents filed with the city describe the catered events taking place in the auditorium, third-floor art gallery spaces, first floor lobby and conference rooms, but with the license to cover the entire building, as patrons will be able to wander throughout the library with drinks during fundraisers and other events. (Day-to-day cafe service will be provided by Chocolaterian.)
Jalapeno Mexican Grill, 1821 S. Park St., is requesting a liquor license. This new restaurant is run in part by one of the owners of Maria's Taqueria in Watertown. It serves what is described in its application as "traditional homemade dishes" for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with 88% of revenue coming from food, 10% alcohol, and 2% "other." A sample menu shows tortas, tacos, burritos, quesadillas, huaraches and the like.
