ALRC allows Red Sushi to host indoor entertainment daily, with music to stop by midnight

The Alcohol License Review Committee amended Red Sushi’s license on Aug. 20 to permit indoor live entertainment and DJs any night of the week, provided such entertainment "shall cease by midnight." The committee applied the change to both the restaurant’s alcohol license and its 21-and-over entertainment license.

Tanya, the owner of Red Sushi, told the committee she rarely uses the establishment’s existing entertainment privilege and sought the change to accommodate occasional private events — for example, holiday parties or corporate gatherings — that sometimes request DJs or small live acts. She told the ALRC the additional event space added in 2024 is interior, has a separate entrance and will not typically spill music outdoors.

Tanya said she attended two neighborhood association meetings: Mifflin Street residents were supportive, while Bassett Street residents raised concerns primarily about outdoor music. Following those meetings, she said she withdrew any plan to pursue amplified outdoor music and would not apply for outdoor music at this time. She also told the committee her venue’s hours run earlier than midnight (generally closing at 9 p.m. Sunday–Thursday and 10 p.m. on Friday–Saturday), and she agreed the new entertainment allowance should include a midnight cutoff.

Attorney McReynolds confirmed the ALRC could amend conditions on both the alcohol and entertainment licenses in a single motion. Alder Oliver Verveer and Alder Figueroa Cole supported the amendment, stressing the committee’s desire to balance business flexibility with neighborhood concerns. Alders praised Tanya for attending neighborhood meetings and for agreeing not to pursue outdoor entertainment.

Motion and outcome: Alder Revere moved to amend Condition 2 on both licenses so that "entertainment shall cease by midnight;" Alder Figueroa Cole seconded. The motion passed without objection.

Why it matters: The change gives Red Sushi more scheduling flexibility for private and special events while the midnight cutoff was intended to reassure neighbors about late-night noise. The owner also committed not to pursue outdoor amplified music after neighborhood input.

Quotes

"We would love to say, yes. We can do that," Tanya said when asked why weekday availability matters for private bookings.

"I would be most comfortable if you actually could prove that you've begun the classes," Alder Revere said to a different applicant earlier in the meeting, underscoring the committee's interest in concrete follow-up. (Note: this quote pertains to the meeting's broader licensing context.)

Ending

The committee adopted the midnight cutoff amendment; the business said it would continue to work with neighbors and will not pursue outdoor amplified music at this time.