By Kyle Dropp
The Daily Cardinal
After a series of late-night brawls, Club Majestic now faces the crippling suspension of its liquor and entertainment licenses.
Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, is a member of the city's Alcohol License Review Committee. He said the city attorney's office and the Madison Police Department have been working for several weeks on a number of sanctions on the club, located at 115 King St. Tuesday, Mayor Dave Cieslewicz met with City Attorney Michael May to discuss potential city action, and the city attorney's office is expected to take action in the next few days.
Revocation of either the liquor or entertainment license has the potential to severely limit the club's business. If the city attorney attempts to suspend the entertainment license, Club Majestic could still serve alcohol but could not play any live music—a major source of the club's popularity and suspected to be the source of violence. Underage drinking and extreme inebriation have also been cited as causes of the violence and recklessness outside the club.
""The Majestic has a few different licenses that the City Council has the authority to suspend or revoke,"" Verveer said. ""My understanding is that for a variety of reasons it's easier for the city attorney's office to go for the entertainment license.""
May said he might also recommend the suspension of the club's liquor license. The issue would then be debated by the ALRC, which would either recommend for or against revocation of the club's liquor license. Finally, a City Council vote would decide the future of Club Majestic's liquor license.
Surrounding business owners have mentioned that the large crowds outside of Club Majestic after bar time and the related violence have negatively impacted business.
""It did affect us,"" said Tristan Gallagher, vice president of King Club, 114 King St. ""No question a lot of people did not want to come down to King Street at night.""
However, he said going after Club Majestic's liquor license would be unfair, punishing business owners for the actions of their clientele.
Jaime McCarville, an executive member of Capitol Neighborhoods Inc., said bar owners have been irresponsible in confronting the density of liquor licenses downtown.
But Gallagher said that since the police presence has increased around Club Majestic at bar time, the problems on King St. have diminished. He said Madison police, whose patrols have doubled in the downtown area beginning this summer, ""are doing a very good job.""
""The problems have decreased enormously,"" Gallagher said.
