City screwing around with Monkey Wrench liquor license

[Robin Garr]

Ha, I'll take eclectic. Just not eccentric, because that means rich and crazy. (If you're poor and crazy, you're just crazy.) Anyways, I'm not rich.

Yeah, I'm with Kyle on this. "Elitist" to me means "McMansion."

[Robin Garr]

Aside from "too many licenses", can anyone summarize the neighborhood opposition to this venture?

Too much noise too late at night is the typical objection to 4 a.m. licenses, but in this case, it's not a particularly residential neighborhood as I recall it.

Yes, in general the objection would be for noise, lack of parking (big deal - you live in the city, walk a block or two) and roving drunk people. I don't see much of a problem in those areas, especially since the Barret Bar is no longer, and it was right across the street, making for one less liquor license in the area. If there are noise or other problems, then address them with Dennie, but don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. I think it's awful to lay an unnecessary challenge on a small business owner right now when all are struggling. He's a bar, and he'd like to stay open as many hours as he can. He currently has the 4 a.m. license, but by switching over to pub from restaurant, they had to get a new liquor license. I think it's sad that they're taking this opportunity to curb his hours.

Yeah, I'm with Kyle on this. "Elitist" to me means "McMansion."

I bet THEY have McRibs. Totally unfair.

What does it mean that the Monkey Wrench will go from being a restaurant with a bar to being a bar with good food? Why did they need a new license?

OK, I am no expert, but I think it has to do with percentages of sales coming from alcohol. A "restaurant" designation would mean a higher percentage of the place's sales would be derived from food than with a "pub" designation. Just an educated guess.

I can imagine that had the proposed Wayside location been in, oh, say, St. Matthews or Hurstbourne, the opposition would have been even stronger but no one would have batted an eye.

Uh.Huh. Keep on believing that one.

? Are you arguing that the people of St. Matthews or Hurstbourne would have welcomed Wayside with open arms?

No. A neighborhood that disagrees with the location of a megashelter is not full of snobs....

I agree heartily on this. I can imagine that had the proposed Wayside location been in, oh, say, St. Matthews or Hurstbourne, the opposition would have been even stronger but no one would have batted an eye.

Actually I think any area who has a large vacant building should have welcomed them. It's certainly better to put the building to use than to let it deteriorate and become occupied by vandals. Actually the shelter is very controlled and doesn't have a lot of residents with cars to create parking problems nor a lot of people coming and going. Certainly a better alternative than a lot of other options for the building.

OK, I am no expert, but I think it has to do with percentages of sales coming from alcohol. A "restaurant" designation would mean a higher percentage of the place's sales would be derived from food than with a "pub" designation. Just an educated guess.

Several years back, I was hired by the now defunct @tmoshpere to increase their food sales. The liquor license they held was "restaurant" . According to the law they had to derive equal revenue from food sales as liquor sales.
It was quite the media frenzy once the state auditors found out about the lopsided sale of alcohol to food. They knew that if they re-applied for another license that they would have never been approved for the 4 AM extension.

IMHO, I think that Monkey Wrench has a similar problem. I've been to the Monkey Wrench on several occasions and there is no way that they are selling more or equal sales of food to booze. Unfortunately, I feel that they realized that wrath would be forthcoming from the state, and they tried to do the right thing, instead got punished for it.

IMHO, I think that Monkey Wrench has a similar problem. I've been to the Monkey Wrench on several occasions and there is no way that they are selling more or equal sales of food to booze. Unfortunately, I feel that they realized that wrath would be forthcoming from the state, and they tried to do the right thing, instead got punished for it.

That analysis makes great sense and also provides a possible explanation for the denial of the 4:00 AM license. There is certainly going to be less opposition to a restaurant that serves liquor than there would be to a bar that serves food.

IMHO, I think that Monkey Wrench has a similar problem. I've been to the Monkey Wrench on several occasions and there is no way that they are selling more or equal sales of food to booze. Unfortunately, I feel that they realized that wrath would be forthcoming from the state, and they tried to do the right thing, instead got punished for it.

That analysis makes great sense and also provides a possible explanation for the denial of the 4:00 AM license. There is certainly going to be less opposition to a restaurant that serves liquor than there would be to a bar that serves food.

Honestly and regardless of which license, who is still serving food at 4:00?

Honestly and regardless of which license, who is still serving food at 4:00?

You'd be surprised at how many places in the Highlands serve food that late.

IMHO, I think that Monkey Wrench has a similar problem. I've been to the Monkey Wrench on several occasions and there is no way that they are selling more or equal sales of food to booze. Unfortunately, I feel that they realized that wrath would be forthcoming from the state, and they tried to do the right thing, instead got punished for it.

That analysis makes great sense and also provides a possible explanation for the denial of the 4:00 AM license. There is certainly going to be less opposition to a restaurant that serves liquor than there would be to a bar that serves food.

Yep, certainly sounds like a logical explanation...It has been my personal observation that more often than not anytime someone starts complaining about "the man" trying to keep a brutha down, that once all said done "the man" usually has a pretty good reason for doing so.

OK, I am no expert, but I think it has to do with percentages of sales coming from alcohol. A "restaurant" designation would mean a higher percentage of the place's sales would be derived from food than with a "pub" designation. Just an educated guess.

Having NO idea...but just posing a question...Are bars/pubs/restaurants in Louisville taxed at different rates dependent upon the percentage of liquor vs food sales ? I have lived in states where this is the case and more than once have seen "restaurants" get their hands slapped because the state found out they were jury rigging their percentages in an attempt to avoid paying the appropriate level of tax.

Again, not saying this is the case here, just posing a question on the overall state or local policy.

IMHO, I think that Monkey Wrench has a similar problem. I've been to the Monkey Wrench on several occasions and there is no way that they are selling more or equal sales of food to booze. Unfortunately, I feel that they realized that wrath would be forthcoming from the state, and they tried to do the right thing, instead got punished for it.

That analysis makes great sense and also provides a possible explanation for the denial of the 4:00 AM license. There is certainly going to be less opposition to a restaurant that serves liquor than there would be to a bar that serves food.

Yep, certainly sounds like a logical explanation...It has been my personal observation that more often than not anytime someone starts complaining about "the man" trying to keep a brutha down, that once all said done "the man" usually has a pretty good reason for doing so.

True.

The Monkey Wrench has a solid reputation to build on. A killer late-night food program and a tenacious PR campain supporting it could solve this. They do have a semi-challenging location, but...

Yet, if they were to offer exceptional pub-grub, that could go away...

There are some other tricks to make the numbers fall in line. Like, for instance, they could lower thier raw charge for liquor and incorporate a food surcharge. Same number, yet the inclusive food covers thier responsiblity to the state. And the food doesn't have to be a loss- it could be homeade pork rinds, or something. Just measured in, to make everyone happy.

Oh. People would have to get the cuisine surcharged on thier bills! lol!