The Melbourne City Council on Sept. 11 approved ordinance 2025‑45, granting a conditional use to allow on‑premises sale and consumption of beer and wine only at a 1,957‑square‑foot unit at 701 East New Haven Avenue in the downtown activity area.

Planning staff said the request is for a taproom/bar‑tavern use in a building previously occupied by a hookah bar. The proposal includes a taproom, a kitchen area, a bottle shop area, a beer garden and three restrooms, with a total of 76 proposed seats. Staff added conditions to limit alcohol consumption to interior and the defined beer‑garden footprint and to restate the seating cap. Staff also noted the adoption of the conditional use would repeal a 2012 conditional use that allowed full alcohol at the property and replace it with the new beer‑and‑wine‑only approval.

The applicant’s proposed hours are earlier closing times than some downtown bars: 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 8 p.m. Sunday. The Planning and Zoning Board voted unanimously to recommend approval and staff recommended adoption of the ordinance with findings and conditions.

At council the item drew no public speakers; the council adopted the ordinance by voice vote with unanimous approval.