A stereotypical date night out includes dinner, drinks, and maybe dancing to a band. Turns out that is also a stereotypical list of licenses you need to get if you are starting a place where people will enjoy those behaviors. The license that I, at least, hear the least about is the Entertainment License. In Madison, a venue needs to apply for an entertainment license if it plans on providing live, amplified entertainment and has a capacity of 50 or more people. In other words, most bars that can actually fit a band and almost anyplace holding weddings needs this license.
There are two different types of entertainment licenses: “18+” and “21+ Entertainment Licenses.” An “18+ Entertainment License” allows entry for those who are not the legal drinking age, but are 18 or above during the provided entertainment. This would only be necessary for those establishments that do not already have the ability to host underage patrons such as a restaurant. A “21+ Entertainment License” is for all other venues that wish to provide any sort of live, amplified entertainment. In addition, a venue can get either a permanent license or up to five temporary licenses per year.
Whether permanent or temporary, all entertainment license applicants shall submit a security plan with the application. The security plan shall indicate:
- what type of live entertainment the establishment will offer.
- the number of security personnel the applicant will employ and/or hire through a private security company
- how security personnel will be utilized
- how the applicant will handle issues regarding control of:
- any parking lot during hours of operation and at closing time;
- any entrance line
- unruly patrons
- intoxicated patrons
- patrons presenting false IDs
- patrons under the age of twenty-one (21)
- circumstances under which police should be called
- physical disturbances, including fights
- how applicant will maintain the orderly appearance and operation of the premises with respect to litter and noise
- identify by name and date of birth, individuals who are employed by the establishment in a management capacity
- the clothing that security and door personnel will wear that readily identifies them as security/door personnel
- how the applicant will comply with the time requirement for patrons under the age of twenty one
- how those underage patrons will be prevented from roaming the licensed premise during live entertainment events
Once the security plan has been created, then the application can be filled out and submitted to the City Clerk. Then the application goes to the Alcohol Licensing and Review Committee (“ALRC”). ALRC may have lots of questions regarding the venue’s plans. If it is satisfied, the ALRC may approve your license, but the Common Council ultimately makes the final decision. The Common Council often follows the recommendation of the ALRC, but the license is not official until the Common Council approves the license and the issue fee is paid.
It is important that it the application is in by NOON (yes, that is a strict deadline) on third Monday of the month prior to the month of the desired ALRC committee date, which is yet another month ahead of the City Council meeting. Find exact dates here and plan ahead.