The Madison Alcohol License Review Committee voted to approve a liquor license transfer for Madhatters bar Wednesday, allowing the establishment to relocate to the 600 block of State Street.

Madhatters was forced out of its former location in the old University Square in the spring of 2005 due to city construction plans.

Yesterday, the ALRC granted owner Ted Gervasi’s request to reopen the bar in the currently vacant storefront at 651 State St., the former location of Fuddruckers restaurant.

The decision comes just one day after the City Council approved the Alcohol License Density Plan, which restricts the authorizing of any new class B liquor license—the specific license needed by an establishment deriving 50 percent or more of its profits from alcohol sales.

Though Madhatters is exempt from this restriction because of its previous status as a downtown bar, it did not win the committee’s approval without a considerable debate.

Fears of an over-saturation of bars in the area and potential safety issues had many upset at the proposition. Nearly 10 area residents, shop owners and landlords were present at Wednesday’s meeting, many of them submitting statements of disapproval or personally addressing the committee.

“Allowing Madhatters to open at 651 State St. would be a step backwards in the efforts to keep State Street and downtown Madison safe,” said State Street resident Cynthia Schuster, who spoke at the meeting.

Ald. Eli Judge, District 8, also addressed the committee, acknowledging that he was “torn” when it came to his stance on the issue.

“I am somewhat torn about the Madhatters proposal … I’ve talked to students who’ve said that they love Madhatters … but I’ve also run into other students who’ve said, ‘just not there,’” he said. After over an hour of discussion and an agreement on three major conditions for Madhatters’ business plan, the committee voted 4-1 to endorse the bar’s plans for relocation.

One of these conditions is built on the basis that Madhatters will no longer feature its popular “Friday After Class” drink specials.

As the Madison inventor of the “FAC” special, Madhatters was a Friday afternoon hotspot at its previous location. Gervasi also agreed to serve food during all operating hours and, perhaps most sacrificially, to stop serving alcohol one hour before bar time every day of the week.

Though these sacrifices may seem drastic, Gervasi he is more interested in cooperating with the university and his new neighbors than featuring aggressive drink specials and a binge-drinking atmosphere.

Gervasi and Madhatters must now wait for approval from the City Council before anything can be done.