The Alcohol License Review Committee's Nightclub Subcommittee met Friday afternoon to discuss a proposal that would make it easier for downtown venues serving alcohol to allow those under the age of 21 to enter.
Specifically, members debated whether to allow venues that have regular entertainment events to apply for an expanded \Visual and Performing Arts"" license. This license would allow underage patrons to be admitted and would be an exception to state law.
""[We want] to have some kind of incentive for people to go downtown and to not just drink and be crazy,"" said Stephanie Rearick, subcommittee chair.
Many present decried the seemingly arbitrary application of state law to venues with live entertainment.
For instance, Craig Spaulding, who operates Caf Montmartre, 127 Mifflin St., said because ""there's virtually no regulation"" of underagers at Memorial Union, run by the state, it draws away many of his patrons.
Short of saying they wanted to circumvent state law, members of the subcommittee said an exception was necessary.
""It's the conflict with state statutes-we're definitely looking for a way to get around that,"" Rearick said.
Rick Petri of Murphy Desmond Lawyers implied the state would not scrutinize the city's policy, saying ""they're not active in that area of law enforcement.""
But Cpt. Richard Bach of the Madison Police Department said there would be more to worry about if the ALRC was imprudent in its decision, adding bar owners and parents might take offense to the proposal.
Others said the city should not give such licenses easily.
""How do you [make this exception] and not let every venue with live entertainment have underaged on the premises?"" asked Jennifer Zilavey, City Attorney Designee to the ALRC. ""It's walking a fine line. ... The city can't set up a system by which we're sanctioning breaking the law.""
Everyone present agreed, however, that some version of the proposal ought to pass.
Tag Evers, a promoter for Last Coast/True Endeavors in Madison, said the proposal should pass because it would allow venues to cater to those under 21.
""There's so few things for people of that age to do in this town ... because venues can't afford it,"" he said.
