Another bar bites the dust? Could be, according to Richard Lyshek, who says there's a ""good chance"" his Ram Head Ratskellar may never reopen.
Madison's Alcohol License Review Committee suspended the Ram Head's liquor license throughout July in response to police complaints about the bar's underage drinking violations. The suspension ended Aug. 1 on the condition that Lyshek begin using electronic ID scanners, which Lyshek said will be ""a non-issue"" in his decision-making.
Lyshek, who has owned the bar for 17 years, said a recent shift in bar business and drinking habits simply clamped down his profits.
""You can't make money when you don't have anyone in your bar until 12:30 a.m. I mean, an hour and a half of business doesn't pay the bills,"" Lyshek said.
Lyshek said the recent spike in house parties and liquor store sales hurt other bars near State Street, like the now-closed Angelic, Crave, Stillwater, State Bar and Whitehorse Inn. He also said Madison police have unfairly targeted his bar.
""They were treating me like I was running a dangerous crack house when I had probably one of the lowest disorderly incidents … there were never any fights, there were never any problems,"" Lyshek said.
According to Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, Madison police did give Ram Head ""a lot of extra attention."" Lyshek, though, was also concerned with police crowd control.
""I was appalled at how I saw students abused at my bar. They were handcuffed, humiliated, thrown against the wall, thrown on the ground … it was just stunning,"" Lyshek said.
Police Sergeant Tony Fiore challenged Lyshek to report a specific incident of poor policing.
""We do not have an axe to grind with Mr. Lyshek … I think he showed an inability to properly screen people who were underage. I don't know what he would expect us to do if every time we go there we're able to locate numerous underage drinkers,"" Fiore said.
Ald Verveer said it won't be easy for another bar to succeed in the Ram Head's ""tough location.""
""Not everyone wants to be in a basement with no windows … I actually think it might be a great location for a bowling alley or live music venue,"" Verveer said.
