Planning commission approves indoor live entertainment permit for Barbecue Blues with no outdoor music allowed without amendment

The Monrovia Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit (CUP2025-0009) allowing incidental indoor live entertainment at Barbecue Blues, 110 East Colorado Boulevard. The action, taken by roll call with Commissioners Austin, Rose, Scheffler, Stehira and Chair Brown voting yes, restricts live music to interior spaces and sets limits on hours, performer size and frequency.

Planning staff told the commission the application seeks small blues or jazz performances incidental to the restaurant use; staff noted the restaurant has operated in compliance with prior CUPs and ABC licensing conditions since reopening as Barbecue Blues in January. Under the approved conditions, indoor live entertainment is allowed between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., up to two performances per day, and a maximum of four performers. Live entertainment must be confined to a 12-by-12-foot area with no raised stage, doors and windows must remain closed during performances and the music may not be audible beyond the property lines. The permit explicitly prohibits outdoor live entertainment at this time; any future proposal for outdoor performances would require an amendment to the CUP and planning commission review.

Megan Wentz, general manager of Barbecue Blues, was in attendance and confirmed the left-side door near the proposed performance area is an emergency egress and that most patron traffic flows through the front entrance. Staff and the Downtown Review Committee recommended approval; no public comments were received before the meeting. The commission amended language in the conditions to remove a clarifying sentence about entertainment fees, leaving the condition to read that "No cover charge to enter the restaurant shall be permitted." The motion to approve as amended passed by unanimous roll call.

As with the other permits heard, the decision is appealable to City Council if a written appeal is filed within 10 days and accompanied by the applicable fee. The CUP includes standard noise, safety and operational conditions and is subject to code enforcement and the review process specified in the conditions.