Jesse Morreale, owner of RockBar, the dive bar at 3015 E. Colfax, has lost his bid to renew his cabaret and liquor licenses for the premises, which were found in violation of the provisions of the permits.
In the final order issued by Denver’s Department of Excise and Licenses on Sept. 26, and released today, Tom Downey, director of Excise and Licenses, allowed RockBar a temporary permit to serve liquor until Nov. 7.
The cabaret license extension was denied immediately so leave your dancing shoes home if you visit Rockbar because the dive bar must cease to allow dancing. Morreale called the decision Denver’s version of the movie Footloose. “Where’s Kevin Bacon?” he asked.
The decision to deny renewal of the licenses came after representatives of neighborhood associations voiced objections to what they deemed as RockBar’s negative impact on the neighborhoods, and police reports citing various criminal activities, all of which Morreale vehemently denies.
It is fully expected that Morreale will appeal the order, and if the judge grants a temporary stay, Rockbar could keep serving liquor for a year or longer.
More on this messy matter in Wednesday’s column.
Comments are closed.
Leave a comment