Liquor and Business Licensing Docket
Summary
New Class B liquor licenses for Old English Pub and La Esquina del Barrio were referred to committee, and Doobies Beer Joint was called in for a formal expression of concern over a police report.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 9
- Last 30 days
- 2
Rising — discussed at 4 meetings since Sep 9, 2026, up from 2 in the two months before.
Impact analysis
No direct cost to the city, but alders cited long-term costs of alcohol over-concentration like policing and health services.
New bar and restaurant owners seeking licenses in their districts.
Alders opposing the license argue nearby neighborhoods face added exposure to alcohol retail density.
Mentions & discussions (9)
Common Council — October 20, 2026
New liquor licenses for Lee's Market North, Kornerstone and Houston's 414, license appearances for Family Supermarket and Doobies, and several other license applications were scheduled.
Public Safety and Licensing Committee — October 14, 2026
A new bar/social venue at 2124 Sixteenth Street is one step closer to opening, with its Class B liquor license recommended for approval on the condition it opens within six months. The full council still must give final approval.
Common Council — September 15, 2026
New Class B liquor licenses for Old English Pub and La Esquina del Barrio were referred to committee, and Doobies Beer Joint was called in for a formal expression of concern over a police report.
Common Council Special Council Meeting — September 9, 2026
The mayor asked the Council to slow down on new liquor licenses and hold problem establishments accountable. He pointed to community survey data showing residents want fewer bars, liquor stores, pawn shops, and payday lenders — especially in low-income neighborhoods near schools and homeless services.
Common Council — August 5, 2026
The council wrestled with a liquor license for Danny's Grocery & Lounge on Taylor Ave. After rejecting both a deferral and a denial, alders approved the license with a condition that the grocery portion of the business actually opens — tying the liquor license to keeping a grocery store in the 11th District.
Common Council — July 21, 2026
Multiple tavern owners asked the council for consistent guidelines from the Public Safety and Licensing Committee, complaining of shifting expectations and too little board training. The council separately sent one problem establishment to the city attorney and deferred the loitering ordinance discussion.
Common Council — May 5, 2026
The Douglas Tobacco vote exposed a gap: the council passed zoning restrictions on tobacco shops, but applications filed before the change must be judged under old rules — leaving the city nearly powerless to deny. Alder Horton asked for a way to warn businesses before they invest.
Common Council — April 20, 2026
The council denied the Meet N Greetz liquor license, issued formal expressions of concern to Uptown Pub & Grill and Honors Racine, and deferred the Neighborhood Pantry license decision. A proposed police Tavern Unit to patrol bars at closing time was also referred to committee.
Common Council — January 20, 2026
The council debated whether too many alcohol licenses are concentrated between Lathrop and Durand Avenues — 15 licensed businesses by one count, and now four gas stations with beer licenses. The license was approved anyway, with deference to the district alder, but several alders want the city to think longer-term about what kinds of businesses it welcomes where.
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