Beer Works withdraws application for Davis Square liquor license

[keithn.livejournal.com]

I don't see something I can link to, but according to an e-mail that was just sent out by the Davis Action Group, Beer Works has withdrawn their city liquor license application. This was going to go before the licensing committee tonight.

My assumption would be that they were aware that they were not going to be granted a license and withdrew. So those who opposed the restaurant have succeeded. I have no idea if there is any link to recent issues with the building facade, but my understanding is that that should not have been a major issue since they had planned to replace it anyway.

A big question on my mind is whether or not Davis Square will now see ANY of the 8 remaining city wide liquor licenses. The argument used by Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz against Beer Works would seem to indicate that will not happen. The implication would be that you will see no new alcohol serving restaurants or bars in Davis Square unless they buy an existing license - so the total number of alcohol serving restaurants and bars will not increase in Davis Square anytime soon (without pressure on Alderman Gewirtz and the licensing commission).

Comments

[mytheria.livejournal.com]

Ok, I'm apparently officially the old fuddy-duddy at the ripe age of mid-30's

I was using 'sit down' as a short hand for
1) no TV in sight
2) a reasonable conversational volume
3) a menu not centered on fried food

Basically the closest (that we currently have) to what I think Davis needs is if the back half of foundry was visually and acoustically separate from the bar

[jere7my.livejournal.com]

Posto? (I don't remember whether they have TVs.)

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

They do, but are uniformly turned to the Food Network. That space is quite loud, though.

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

M3? Saloon? Martsa On Elm? Diva? Five Horses' dining room?

[ron_newman]

Martsa is still closed. No indication of when it will reopen.

[teko.livejournal.com]

I could barely hear the person a foot away from me while eating at M3 or Five Horses, so I don't think they're very conversational. As for Diva... I gave up on that crapfest.

[teko.livejournal.com]

If you're talking about high-end, white tablecloth, fine dining, we have a lack of that. But meeting your criteria are...

• Posto
• The Painted Burro (quite conversational, now that the sound baffles are up)
• Saloon
• Martsa on Elm (which hopefully will re-open)
• Namaskar
• Burren
• Out of the Blue

Within a short walk:
• Hana Sushi
• Cafe Barada
• True Grounds
• Spoke Wine Bar

[ron_newman]

Namaskar isn't there anymore; Punjabi Grill has replaced it.

[teko.livejournal.com]

I keep forgetting! Force of habit. I've even eaten at the new place -- which is pretty good.

[maelithil.livejournal.com]

Punjabi Grill is delicious, I keep meaning to write a post encouraging people to go there over Diva (labor and douchebaggery issues aside, Punjabi Grill is much, much tastier than Diva).

[ron_newman]

and doesn't have a liquor license. Maybe it should get one, instead of Beer Works?

[ron_newman]

I wouldn't put True Grounds on this kind of list. They are a coffee place with sandwiches and they close quite early in the evening.

[teko.livejournal.com]

I wish I could edit my list. This is what I get for typing it up too early! I actually meant "True Bistro" in Teele Sq, not True Grounds in Ball Sq.

[fenicedautun.livejournal.com]

If you're going to include True Grounds, what about Pescatore, which I believe has no TVs, a large selection of non fried food, and generally I've had good luck with conversations there.

[teko.livejournal.com]

I always forget about Pescatore! Good point. (I had actually meant True Bistro when I typed 'True Grounds')

[secretlyironic.livejournal.com]

That new West 5 Bistro, what used to be Amelia's Kitchen, is also pretty good for that.

[ron_newman]

West 7 Bistro (named after its ward, I think)

[secretlyironic.livejournal.com]

Ah, I knew it was a direction and a number.

Anyway, they have good meatballs.