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Committee approves sale of Danny's Pub to new operator and carries over entertainment limits and neighborhood conditions
Summary
The ALRC approved transfer of the liquor license and an entertainment permit for the business at 328 W. Gorham (to be rebranded Moonbar), carrying forward existing neighborhood conditions on refuse storage, reentry times and 18-plus private-party restrictions.
The committee approved a transfer of the liquor license and an entertainment license for the business at 328 W. Gorham (currently Danny's Pub), which the new owner plans to rebrand as Moonbar. The vote carried with conditions carried forward from the current license: no refuse or recycling stored on public property, no reentry after 1:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, and limiting 18-plus entertainment to private events unless otherwise authorized.
Jeff Root, the prospective owner, told the committee he and his wife have operated rental properties in the neighborhood for years and plan to maintain the venue as a neighborhood bar and events space with live and DJ entertainment. Bruno Krueger, the current proprietor, said he would remain as a consultant during a transition period and agreed to work with Root on an on-site solution for refuse and recycling storage — a condition previously added to Danny's license because of dumpsters on nearby Broome Street.
Police and alder members said they supported the transfer and noted plans for staff training and coordination with the central district police team on crowd and ID-control measures. Root said he intends to continue and expand the venue's food offerings and to use the upstairs space for private events and live music; the applicant agreed to keep most food service hours to 9 p.m. initially and to ensure staff receive police-provided training.
The committee moved and seconded the recommendation to grant the license transfer and entertainment permit while carrying forward existing conditions; the motion passed.
Why it matters: the transfer maintains neighborhood protections that address refuse storage, late-night entry and the management of 18-plus events; the new operator committed to coordinating with the outgoing owner, police and neighbors during the transition.
Next steps: the committee recommendation will be forwarded to the Common Council for final action; the new operator and outgoing owner agreed to work on a refuse-storage solution and to schedule police-led staff training.
