City sets hearing for 331 Club license
The city’s liquor licensing division will host a public hearing Thursday on the 331 Club, which is seeking a class A license upgrade so it can restore amplification of its live music.
The club, which celebrates its second birthday under current ownership this weekend, has built a reputation for booking critically respected local musicians in a casual, neighborhood bar setting.
The city unplugged its performance schedule in the fall after learning the bar’s licenses didn’t allow for amplified live music. The club and its musicians have managed to keep the show going, though. The rules have allowed one vocal microphone and no more than three performers on stage.
An example of how some acts have gotten by: the Roe Family Singers, an up-to-eight-member band that plays the 331 Club every Monday, simply got rid of the stage. Instead they clear a space in the middle of the room and play sitting on bar chairs and booths.
Now, four months later, the matter is making its way to the City Council’s agenda. Thursday’s public hearing is meant to collect input from neighbors before a licensing committee makes a recommendation to approve or deny the license upgrade that would let the club amplify live music.
The meeting is at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 29, at East Side Neighborhood Services, 1700 2nd St. NE. It will be facilitated by city liquor inspector Linda Roberts.
What do people think? Any reason for the city to deny the license? If its successful, will you miss the around-the-campfire kind of charm of the unamplified shows? Let’s see some comments. Dan Haugen
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Filed under: City Hall, Music, Sheridan
It is important to look at the big picture of the commercial node at this site. For many years, this was a fairly sleepy section of Minneapolis. Then, the art galleries found this area and a few restaurants joined the party.
The re-opening of the Ritz infused more energy into this area. Now, this part of 13th buzzes with life. I wish I lived within a block or two.
The 331 Club has proven to be a neighbor that neighbors and the neighborhood group can work with. That alone should not be rationale for an upgrade - it is a minimum first step though.
Combine the fact that the 331 is well run and the commercial use in the area is changing to be more intensive(empty theater now full), I think the 331 has a good case for a higher usage.
I also think the city needs to re-examine how it links zoning, liquor licenses, and entertainment licenses. That’s for another post though.
Doron Clark
Windom Park