Council OKs entertainment permit for The Hare on East Broadway; owners seek extended hours for piano brunches

Long Beach — The City Council approved an entertainment‑without‑dancing permit for The Hare, a restaurant at 1800 East Broadway, allowing indoor live entertainment under specified conditions and with staff directed to work with the owners on a possible amendment for extended hours.

Staff reported the application had been reviewed by multiple departments, with recommended conditions limiting entertainment hours and prohibiting amplified outdoor music. The council heard from owners Pamela and Joshua Beattle, who said the building previously housed live piano entertainment and they wished to restore piano‑bar style music and daytime piano for brunch hours. The owners asked for special consideration to extend permitted entertainment hours for daytime piano music, and several council members praised their business track record and encouraged staff to consider a follow-up amendment.

Public commenters, including local musicians, urged the council to allow live music during brunch and evening hours; the council expressed support for working with the owners on an adjusted condition set and asked staff to return with a possible amendment that would provide certainty to the proprietor while preserving neighborhood conditions.

The council approved the permit vote (motion carried). Staff said the permit would proceed under the approved conditions and the owners will coordinate with staff about any changes to hours or conditions in a follow‑up amendment.

Why it matters: The decision affects nightlife and neighborhood activity on East Broadway and illustrates the balance cities strike between live entertainment and neighborhood impacts.