Scituate council approves indoor liquor, indoor acoustic music permit for Groundwater Cafe amid neighbor objections

The Scituate Town Council voted to approve an expansion to Groundwater Cafe’s liquor hours and to issue an annual indoor-only event license for solo or duo acoustic music at the restaurant located at 985 Chopmist Hill Road.

The approvals, which the council said incorporated the Zoning Board’s conditions from its Feb. 18, 2025 decision, allow inside alcohol service until 10 p.m. and authorize an annual permit for solo or two-person acoustic music performed indoors without amplification. Council members voted unanimously to approve both actions.

The ordinance-level decision matters because several abutters told the council they have endured increasing noise and outdoor events at the corner where Groundwater Cafe operates, and they warned additional days and hours could worsen traffic and late-night disturbances. Jackie Russo, a nearby resident, pointed to the Zoning Board resolution’s language limiting music to “solo acoustic artist only” and urged the council to preserve that standard.

Sabrina Maguire, who identified herself as the owner of Groundwater Cafe, said she sought the changes to reduce business constraints. “I am looking to have indoor music possibly once a week, maybe once every other week, one solo artist,” Maguire said. She told the council she was prepared to drop outdoor music from her special event application and that she did not intend to use amplification beyond a low-volume microphone and guitar. Maguire said her request also aimed to avoid previously enforced day-of-week restrictions that limited her ability to host nonprofit meetings or occasional weekday events where beer and wine would be served.

Multiple neighbors opposed the license, describing repeated outdoor events, car shows and amplified music at neighboring properties. Resident Fred Bromley said residents had “been here years” and contended that cumulative approvals at the corner had changed the character of the neighborhood. “You’re turning my backyard into a bar,” another abutter told the council, citing increased traffic and safety concerns at the intersection.

By contrast, supporters of the cafe described it as a small business that contributes to the local economy and community groups. Resident Steve Cornett said Groundwater Cafe is “unique, innovative and classy” and urged the council not to discourage the business.

Town officials and the council emphasized the limits being placed on the license. Chairman Schallen of the Zoning Board told the council the board had required indoor-only entertainment, limited to one instrument and typically a single performer, and had conditioned its special-use permit to avoid outdoor entertainment that would affect neighbors. Chief Rawlinson of the Scituate Police Department told the council he had checked the cafe’s record and found no pending liquor-license violations; Rawlinson also advised that complaints about outdoor service or noise could be investigated by police under the town’s licensing conditions.

Council members discussed whether the zoning board’s language allowed a duo rather than a single solo performer. The Zoning Board chair and a zoning board member (Dennis) confirmed the board’s intent was to limit entertainment to one instrument, typically one performer, but that the wording in some documents used the phrase “solo acoustic artists” and also referenced “solo or duo” elsewhere; the council opted to issue the event license limited to indoor-only solo or duo acoustic music in line with the zoning decision as read into the record.

The council also tied the liquor-license approval to the zoning board’s conditions, and council members instructed that the license remain subject to receipts of required paperwork, state and local permits, and adherence to any stipulations from department heads. Council members recorded unanimous roll-call votes in favor of both the zoning-decision ratification (allowing 10 p.m. indoor hours) and the indoor-only event license permitting solo or duo acoustic music.

Neighbors were told enforcement avenues exist: Chief Rawlinson said complaints about outdoor service or noise should be made to the police department and would be investigated. The council also noted that the liquor license on file is for beer and wine only; any change in the nature of service would require council review.

The approvals close the public hearing; several residents said they will continue to monitor events and raise concerns if activity exceeds the limits approved by the council.