Council approves liquor license and gaming permit for Clubs Indoor Golf on Pearl Street

The Mckenry City Council on April 6 approved a Class A liquor license and a separate video gaming license for Clubs Indoor Golf LLC, a new entertainment venue at 3315 Pearl Street.

Councilors voted to amend the city code to permit consumption and service on an outside premise for the business’s patio, with staff telling the council that any outdoor service would require fencing or a railing to define the licensed area. The council approved the liquor license by roll call, and later approved the gaming license contingent on completion of a video gaming development agreement required by the city.

Several council members expressed concerns during discussion that Mckenry already has a high concentration of video gaming operations and warned that adding more licenses can dilute revenue for existing businesses. “We’ve gotten to the point where we’re totally oversaturated with video gaming,” one councilor said, arguing the city should limit the number of gaming venues.

The applicant, who identified herself as Jamie and said she runs the United Way of Greater Mckenry County and formerly worked in banking, told the council the business’s primary focus will be golf simulators and other entertainment rather than gaming. “The main focus is golf simulators, which are very expensive,” she said, adding that gaming would be a secondary amenity rather than the principal use.

The gaming license approval includes the requirement that city staff finalize a development agreement before the license takes effect. The council recorded roll-call votes for both actions.