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Albany holds public hearing on cabaret license for Stacks Espresso Bar
Summary
City Clerk Shaniqua Jackson opened a July 24 public hearing on a cabaret license application for Stacks Espresso LLC at 275 Lark Street. Applicant Chloe Caruso Sosa said the business plans acoustic weekend music on its patio, no alcohol service and no additional security; city departments will review the application and render a final decision.
Albany City Clerk Shaniqua Jackson opened a public hearing Thursday, July 24, to consider issuing a cabaret license to Stacks Espresso LLC, d/b/a Stacks Espresso Bar, at 275 Lark Street in Albany.
The application lists a maximum occupancy of 50 and operating hours of 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Chloe Caruso Sosa, director of coffee at Stacks Espresso, told the clerk the business has listed entertainment for Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and described the planned entertainment as “small acoustic bands out on the patio.”
The hearing matters because a cabaret license authorizes entertainment at a public venue and can affect nearby residents and businesses; the application will be reviewed by multiple city departments before a final determination is made.
Caruso Sosa said the establishment does not currently hold a liquor license at that location and that any discussion of a New York State Liquor Authority application would occur later. On sound control, she said, “We we don't have proper soundproofing, but, the fences are quite high, and we don't plan to amplify sound. So, acoustic as in just an acoustic guitar with, you know, microphone.”
When asked about security during entertainment hours, Caruso Sosa said there would be no additional security beyond regular staff. She said typical weekend staffing for days when entertainment would occur is between three and four employees. The applicant did not provide square footage during the hearing; City Clerk Jackson said staff would follow up by e-mail with that and other outstanding questions.
The clerk confirmed the city has a premise history report on file for the address and asked whether the applicant was aware of any violations of state, local or federal laws; Caruso Sosa answered no. Jackson said the application and supporting documentation will be sent to the Albany Police Department, the Law Department (corporation counsel), the Planning Department, the Division of Building and Regulatory Compliance and the Albany Fire Department, as well as to the applicant's council member, Richard Kearney, for review.
There were no public comments during the hearing. Jackson closed the hearing at 4:41 p.m. and said the referenced departments will render the final decision on the cabaret application after their reviews.
Additional procedural notes recorded during the hearing: square footage was not specified and will be requested in the follow-up e-mail; the premise history report is on file; and the applicant indicated no known noise complaints tied to the current address.
