ALRC orders audit of 7 Iron Social, renews license with late-entry restriction
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
The ALRC ordered a finance-department audit of 7 Iron Social (State Street Golf LLC) covering 2023–present to verify whether the business qualifies as a restaurant; the committee also renewed the license with a condition limiting new entries after 1:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.
The Alcohol License Review Committee ordered a financial audit of 7 Iron Social (State Street Golf LLC) spanning 2023 through the present and renewed the business’s class B combination alcohol license with a condition restricting entry after late hours.
Attorney Zillavy explained the separation for review: city staff and police raised concerns that the business’s primary activity resembled a tavern rather than a restaurant, and that the venue had rented the premises for private events where underage patrons were reported on at least one occasion. Zillavy requested an audit to clarify the business’s revenue mix and whether it meets Madison’s restaurant definition.
Owner Colin Smith described the venue’s history and operations, saying the business opened in February 2019 after a major investment and later pared back its food menu because of cost and profitability pressures. Smith said the venue runs simulator rentals, private-event rentals and a bar kitchen with bar-focused food items. He told the committee he was "trying to get a space where it's not solely focused on alcohol" and said the venue is closed for the summer while student demand is low.
The committee voted to order the finance audit (motion by Vice Chair Westra, seconded by Alder Figueroa Cole) and then approved a renewal motion that included a late-entry condition: no patrons may enter or reenter after 1:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. ALRC members also advised the licensee to consult zoning staff about permitted use in the alcohol overlay district and to coordinate with the clerk regarding any planned extended closures (the ordinance allows staff action on licenses left unused for extended periods).
The audit will be conducted by the Madison Finance Department and is intended to determine how much revenue derives from food and simulator/event rentals versus alcohol sales so that licensing and zoning departments can determine whether the current operation complies with zoning and licensing rules.