Bo-Beau just succeeded in getting its entertainment permit. Photo and additional reporting by Brian Addison.
It hasn’t always been easy to get an Entertainment Permit in Long Beach. Whether it was the Falcon along Broadway getting shut down because they lacked a Cabaret Permit for their DJ or whether it was Downtown’s Bo-Beau’s struggling to be able to have a four-piece jazz band along its rooftop after investing some $4.5M in their new Pine location, the City has (at least according to business owners) been anything but business-friendly when it comes to entertaining its patrons. Many commenters have noted that having more progressive entertainment policies for businesses would benefit, rather than detract from, the economic success of the city as a whole.
Things, however, are looking to shift towards a more accessible policy as the City Council unanimously approved three Entertainment Permits Without Dancing by Patrons to 4th Street Vine in Retro Row, Shenanigans Irish Pub & Grille in Shoreline Village, and a new establishment at 4115 Viking Way at the City Council meeting on July 1.
4th Street Vine has long struggled with keeping entertainment alive as its business increases in popularity but city officials keep pulling the plug on their many small, live performances that feature local musicians, bands, and poets. Many local 4th Street Vine patrons spoke to council about their adoration for the business and how getting an entertainment permit would not only help the business but the surrounding community.
“The impact this business has had is measurable in many ways,” said Michael McTague, a resident of the area.
“I’ve never seen a disturbance, rowdy drunks, squealing tires, [or] vandalism,” said Porter Gilberg, executive director of The LGBTQ Center Long Beach, who also spoke about the significance of this business in the community. “We believe this will increase public safety along the Fourth Street corridor.”
The LGBTQ Center is approximately a two-minute walk from the wine and beer bar and is therefore easily affected by the businesses’ late night service.
“The customers represent the right kind of people we want, people who support local business, conduct themselves with respect, and create foot traffic,” Gilberg continued.
The city’s application process for acquiring the permit involves inspections from the police, development services, fire and health and human services departments. The application usually takes about nine weeks to process and receive approval. The process to getting the permit has—contrary to the aforementioned businesses—not been bad, said owner of Shenanigans, Cathy Rosczewski.
“We are just hoping that the community around us will enjoy [the live entertainment],” Rosczewski said, as the business owner also empahsized that she is looking forward to showcasing live entertainment from local bands. “We are very excited. Begin able to support the local musicians is great. It just increases our business and increases the fun.”
Read more: