In June, the Madison City Council enacted an ordinance allowing patrons 18 years of age or older into licensed venues where structured entertainment is taking place.
\Madison has a particularly vibrant music scene,"" said Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4. ""Unfortunately, to those under 21, much of that music scene is off-limits because it happens in bars. This new license provides the opportunity for underagers to take advantage of all Madison has to offer in a legal manner.""
Establishments whose profits come primarily from alcohol sales may now attain such licenses with approval from the Alcohol License and Review Committee and the City Council.
Club Majestic, 115 King St., The Regent Street Retreat and The Annex, 1206 Regent St., added their venues to the list of bars attaining the new license on Sept. 6, joining the ranks of Madison Ave., 624 University Ave., and The High Noon Saloon, 701 E. Washington Ave.
""Any place with dancing and live music would be foolish not to do it,"" said Nick Schiavo, owner of Club Majestic.
Attendees must provide identification at the door, and those of legal drinking age must be given wrist-bands or hand stamps to purchase alcoholic beverages.
The new regulations came in response to a perceived need to accommodate high numbers of underage students in Madison.
""I've been turned away at comedy clubs and bars with bands at them because of my age before,"" UW-Madison sophomore Kathy Moogan said.
""I know that it's incredibly frustrating not being able to go see music you love because it's in a bar,"" said Ald. Austin King, District 8.
Some bar owners have expressed reluctance to obtain the new license, afraid the $250 annual license may not be worth a drop in alcohol sales, King said.
Cover charges are a mandatory part of the new license, and will help amend any lost revenue from liquor sales.
Along with bar owners and potential underage patrons, musicians and other entertainers are excited at the prospect of providing more opportunities for fans of all ages to enjoy their work.
""Our band has a primarily underage following. Students not being able to come into our shows because they're under 21 is one of the biggest issues we run into,"" said Mike Drohomyreky, UW-Madison senior and member of the band The Profits.
""Such a large percentage of Madison's college body is under 21, that when bars allow kids 18 and up in, we double our demographics,"" said UW-Madison alum and Profits' bassist Scott Lamps.
""This seems like a really common sense way to not only support the local music scene by expanding their potential audience by a few tens of thousands of people, but also support bars and give a hand to music lovers,"" King said.
