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Select Board approves transfer of Dune Nantucket liquor license to Billy’s on Broad; denies new live-entertainment license for upstairs event space
Summary
The board approved the transfer of the annual common victualler liquor license for the Dune Nantucket premises at 20 Broad Street to Broad Street ACOPCO LLC (DBA Billy’s on Broad) and approved background music only; a request for a new live/DJ entertainment license for the renovated second-floor event space was denied.
The Nantucket County Select Board voted to transfer the existing annual common victualler liquor license for 20 Broad Street (formerly Dune Nantucket) to Broad Street ACOPCO LLC, which will operate as Billy’s on Broad, and to approve background recorded music for the premises while denying a new live-entertainment/DJ license requested for the second-floor event space.
Amy, a staff member, explained the requested transfer would move the existing annual license (an all-alcohol restaurant license) from the current operator to the new applicant; she noted the seasonal restrictions on annual licenses between Jan. 15 and April 1 and said an entertainment license is not transferable and must be applied for separately.
Anna, the proposed manager for Billy’s on Broad, described interior renovations that have increased indoor seating and added an upstairs single open dining room and a new bathroom. She said the plan would keep the operation principally a restaurant with lunch service and mainly prerecorded background music; special events on the second floor might occasionally request amplified music or a DJ.
Select Board members raised neighborhood and capacity concerns. Matt said the property sits near a residential district and asked for detailed architectural plans, occupancy counts, and confirmation that building permits and code upgrades would be completed before full operation. Anna said the building has been substantially gutted and that the plan increases seating with approximately 1 49 total seats, including about 40 outdoor seats; she also said the owners plan no membership fees, bottle-service minimums or private-club arrangements.
The board opened and closed the public hearing on the transfer. A motion to approve the transfer carried by roll call with Don, Malcolm, Tom, Matt and the chair voting aye. The board recorded no complaints in the licensing history and noted the new manager’s prior local experience.
On the separate application for a new live-entertainment license for the second floor, staff explained that because entertainment licenses are not transferable the applicant must apply as a new licensee; staff also outlined fire and building code items that must be satisfied for amplified or live entertainment, including alarm-linked audio shutoff, sprinklers and occupancy review.
Several board members said they were concerned that granting a permanent live-entertainment license could enable a future shift from restaurant to nightclub-style uses. After discussion the board voted to approve prerecorded background music and deny the requested live/DJ entertainment license for the second floor; the motion was approved by roll call (Don, Matt, Tom, Malcolm and the chair voted aye). Amy and board members said individual one-day entertainment permits remain an option for special events while staff and building officials ensure code compliance.
Next steps: staff will complete transfer paperwork and building/fire officials will review the renovations and any future event-specific entertainment permits.
