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Council approves special liquor permit for First Street Brewing at Brickyard Park after debate over fencing and security
Summary
The council granted a special designated liquor license to First Street Brewing (doing business as No Coast Brewing) for a June 13 outdoor concert at Brickyard Park. The brewer proposed a roped "beer garden" with wristbands and hired security; council and police recommended approval with no requirement for city officers to staff the event.
The Hastings City Council approved a special designated liquor license for No Coast Brewing (DBA First Street Brewing Company) to serve alcohol at an outdoor concert in Brickyard Park on June 13, 2025, after a detailed discussion about barriers, staffing and public safety.
Why it matters: The proposal asked the council to permit alcohol service in a defined area of the park without full fencing; the brewery proposed chest-high rope barriers, wristbands, hired security and staff to monitor two controlled entrances. Police staff reviewed the plan and recommended approval as presented.
Jesse Hafe, owner of First Street Brewing, described the proposed layout and protections: "We will put stakes and rope about chest high with flyers and official posters…we'll have hired security already lined up…we'll wristband. To purchase a beverage you'll have to have a wristband," she told the council. Hafe said she expects 400–500 attendees based on past events, has contracted two paid guards plus eight staff and that Tribune event staff typically add additional monitoring.
Council discussion focused on whether a rope barrier would be sufficient or whether a fence would better protect minors and reduce liability. Several councilors, while supportive of increased park use and the concert series, said they preferred a more secure barrier; others said comparable venues (softball complexes, downtown beer gardens) operate with roped or fenced beer gardens and that dedicated staff and wristbands are the practical controls.
Hastings police Captain Hazy told the council the department reviewed the proposal and the department "has no issues with the proposal," recommending approval as presented; he also confirmed the city would not be staffing the event beyond standard park monitoring but officers may appear as they would for other park events.
Council members proposed tabling to refine fencing language; after debate, the council voted and the permit was approved 7–1. Several members encouraged the brewery to coordinate further with staff on the final barrier configuration and to attend a work session if needed.
What happens next: No Coast Brewing will finalize its state SDL application with the barrier map and the council's approval, staff will continue coordination on logistics and the event promoter and hired security will be expected to enforce wristbanding and controlled entry. The council said it expects city staff and event organizers to evaluate how the arrangement performs and return with any recommended adjustments for future events.
The council's vote approved the license for the June 13 concert only; members noted future events would be considered separately.
