In Louisiana, a fierce legislative battle concerning restaurant rules and regulations is taking place between state and local officials. According to the State Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, many restaurants are eluding the eyes of the law by charging for admittance and operating as late-night live music and bar venues without holding a bar license.
Bar licenses are significantly more difficult to obtain than restaurant permits. This practice is not only attracting the attention of local law enforcement, but also neighborhood residents who dislike the noisy and rowdy activities emanating from these late-night hot spots.
While the local community is laboring to limit late night pseudo-saloons, the state is making progress legitimizing the aforementioned practices with State Senate Bill 136. This bill aims to preserve the current business practices that are being set in motion by restaurants.
However, the bill states that 50% of restaurant revenue must be brought in by food sales as opposed to predominant alcohol sales. Even though the locals feel that SB-136 is overriding the wishes of the community, it actually aims to create a fair compromise and add balance and functionality to businesses and communities alike.
Senate Bill 136 won by a large margin of 8-4 in the House Judiciary Committee and now heads to the full House for debate. Regardless of the outcome, the Alcohol and Tobacco Control is preying and cracking down on restaurants that host nocturnal shindigs without the proper licensing.
This further obscures the line between state and local laws. Should eating establishments continue to pursue the loophole in the law, they could very well be shut down for good.
Top 5 New Orleans Nightlife Picks:
1. Bar UnCommon: Nightly Cocktail Specials by Master Mixologist
2. House of Blues: Bacardi B-Live Turns Up the Heat in the Big Easy
3. The Beach House: ZamaPara Plays at House Summer Rock Fest
4. Ohm Lounge: $5 Saketinis and House Music Every Friday Night
5. New Orleans Arena: The Jonas Brothers World Tour 2009
