\n For Sacramento brewery co-owner \n \u201cWe\u2019ve been aware since we opened \n For over two decades, businesses \n The city instituted its previous \n In March, the city council \n Permit applications<\/span> \n Even quieter showcases of talent \n The city intends for the more \n Documents obtained via public \n Back in September,<\/span> \n <\/p>\n \n Eduardo Faustino, owner of Tupi, says he had a positive \u201cIt \n As for the Entertainment Services \n Eduardo Faustino, owner of Tupi, \n \u201cHaving entertainment, it\u2019s \n With the limited permit, Faustino \n <\/p>\n \n The owners of Crest Theatre expressed interest in acquiring a A year \n As for Cooper and her brewery, \n \u201cI know it doesn\u2019t sound like a \n \u2013<\/em>\n<\/p>\n \n Stay up to date on art and culture in the Capital
\n Katie Cooper, live entertainment isn\u2019t just fun; it\u2019s essential
\n for her business.<\/span> Mattie Groves Brewery<\/span><\/a>
\n in Midtown regularly hosts events
\n that draw in customers, but some require an entertainment permit
\n from the city. Operating without one could lead to warnings and
\n fines from $250 to $25,000 for each day until the code violation
\n is resolved. The Sacramento Code Compliance Division generally
\n operates on complaints, so Cooper took a calculated risk. She
\n isn\u2019t the only one.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\n that a lot of places do this, and so it\u2019s generally okay, but
\n technically is not permitted by city rules and regulations,\u201d
\n Cooper says. \u201cThat\u2019s always been stressful. And obviously, we
\n want to be compliant, but the entertainment licensing and
\n permitting as it was previously was very expensive and onerous,
\n and it was just not realistic for a business at our
\n scale.\u201d<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\n both big and small in Sacramento had to pay thousands and undergo
\n a rigorous permit application process if they wanted to host a
\n concert or show. But over the summer a new ordinance created a
\n three-tiered system, making it faster and cheaper for
\n restaurants, bars and cafes to get live entertainment
\n permits.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\n entertainment permit in 2003. As of last year, it cost $1,722 to
\n obtain and $1,331 to renew a permit, along with other associated
\n fees. Permits initially last two years; after one two-year
\n extension, qualified permit holders could apply for another
\n two-year extension at no cost. There were typically around 70
\n permit holders at any given time, say city officials. The costs
\n and strict review process deterred some would-be applicants.
\n \u201cThis one-size-fits-all kind of approach to entertainment was,
\n quite frankly, being too restrictive on some businesses,\u201d says
\n Dustin Hollingsworth, assistant director of the city\u2019s Convention
\n and Cultural Services, which oversees the entertainment
\n permits.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n\n Related:\u00a0What\u2019s
\n Missing in Sacramento\u2019s Nightlife Ecosystem<\/a><\/span>
\n<\/h4>\n
\n approved an ordinance that created a new entertainment permit
\n system. At that time, program management was transferred from the
\n Office of Nighttime Economy to the recently created Entertainment
\n Services Division, both under CCS. In May, the fees<\/span>
\n
\n for the three
\n tiers<\/span><\/a> were set: $2,230
\n for a general permit, $1,820 for a temporary permit (for one-time
\n events) and $750 for a limited permit, which are for venues where
\n entertainment is a secondary operation and the maximum occupancy
\n is under 300. With the limited permit, shows must end at 10 p.m.
\n weekdays, 11 p.m. weekends. The application review process is
\n more relaxed compared to those for the general and temporary
\n permits.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\n
\n opened at the end of
\n July<\/span><\/a>. Once the
\n previous one-size-fits-all permits expire, businesses will have
\n to apply for the general or limited permits. Both permit types
\n last two years. The renewal fee is $1,720 for general and $650
\n for limited. As with the previous permits, renewals for the new
\n permits last two years and can be extended to four years at no
\n charge.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\n like comedians, dancers, hypnotists, magicians, mimes and
\n theatrical performances require a limited permit. However,
\n the<\/span>
\n March ordinance<\/span><\/a>
\n created plenty of exemptions.
\n Recorded music played in the background over the radio, a jukebox
\n or any kind of electronic device is free. But if there\u2019s a DJ
\n present, that requires a permit. Live musicians playing in the
\n background are also free, so long as the sound isn\u2019t amplified
\n and doesn\u2019t require a ticket to experience. Spoken word events
\n including book signings\/readings, poetry recitations and trivia
\n contests are also exempt.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n\n Related:\u00a0Twin Lotus
\n Thai Jazzes up Local Music Scene<\/a><\/span>
\n<\/h4>\n
\n accessible limited permit to draw in new applicants, eventually
\n growing to around 30 to 50 holders in total. But four months
\n after launch, only three businesses have applied. Officials
\n attribute this to a lack of public awareness in spite of media
\n coverage and public announcements. \u201cWe\u2019d like to see a better
\n public response,\u201d Hollingsworth says. \u201cEverybody seems excited
\n about it, but the applications that are coming in aren\u2019t a
\n complete reflection of that.\u201d The city will launch an
\n informational campaign sometime next year.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\n records requests show the three limited permit applicants are
\n Uncle Vito\u2019s Slice of NY, the Brazilian cafe Tupi and the
\n ax-throwing lounge ForePlay. The owners of the pizzeria did not
\n respond to interview requests, but owners of the other two said
\n they applied only after discussions with the city.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\n ForePlay<\/span><\/a> owner Doug Link was hosting a DJ for a
\n private event when code enforcement stopped by. DJs have
\n occasionally performed at the K Street bar in recent years, but
\n this was the first time Link received a citation for having
\n entertainment without a permit. He was surprised, calling it \u201ca
\n kick in the ass.\u201d Link quickly got to work remedying the issue
\n but struggled. He said the old entertainment permit didn\u2019t seem
\n worth the effort and was \u201coutrageously expensive.\u201d But then
\n someone told him about the new limited permit, and his
\n application was approved within six weeks of submission.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\n experience applying for a limited entertainment permit. (Photo
\n courtesy of Tupi)\n<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n definitely opens the door for when I have private parties for
\n them to be able to have a DJ in there, and I don\u2019t feel like I\u2019m
\n breaking any rules. I like doing things the right way. I don\u2019t
\n want there to be issues,\u201d Link says.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\n Division, Link emphasized, \u201cthey were all a pleasure to work
\n with, and they more than met their deadlines. And I\u2019m very
\n pleased, and I don\u2019t get the chance to say that a lot with the
\n city of Sacramento, so I would like to say it here.\u201d<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\n also had a positive experience with the city. He has hosted live
\n music on Tupi\u2019s rooftop bar without a permit for over a year,
\n which he says the city was aware of. In September, when the city
\n reached out to inform him of the limited entertainment permit, he
\n applied to ensure his business was aboveboard. Faustino said he
\n wishes the fees were cheaper, but for him it\u2019s worth the
\n money.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n\n Related article:\u00a0Neighborhood
\n Favorite: Tupi Coffee<\/a><\/span>
\n<\/h4>\n
\n something that helps the rooftop get business,\u201d Faustino says.
\n \u201cAnd for us, it\u2019s very necessary to have that kind of freedom. I
\n just want to make sure that we are compliant with the city
\n code.\u201d<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\n plans to host more live music, especially DJs and bossa nova and
\n jazz bands. He said entertainment helps draw in customers and
\n supports local talent. \u201cFor us, it\u2019s always a win to have live
\n music.\u201d Over time he hopes to establish Tupi as a place known for
\n \u201cgood music, good food, chill vibes.\u201d<\/span>\n<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.comstocksmag.com\/sites\/main\/files\/imagecache\/medium\/main-images\/shutterstock_1047616981.jpg?1765986658\" "\\"The")
<\/a>
\n limited permit for Empress Tavern but say the idea is on hold.
\n (Shutterstock photo)\n<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n ago, the Crest Theatre expressed interest in getting a limited
\n permit to possibly host a guitarist or pianist at its Empress
\n Tavern once a week. The idea was put on hold for the time being.
\n Owner Robert Emerick in an email said his management team could
\n change their mind someday, but even so, they\u2019ll ensure the
\n exemption requirements for background performance will be met,
\n making a permit unnecessary.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\n each week they currently host a game night, a trivia night (both
\n exempt from the permit) and an open-mic night, which does require
\n a permit. Unlike the old system, Cooper said the limited permit
\n seems \u201cattainable,\u201d and she plans to apply before the new year.
\n Maybe someday the brewery could host concerts or ticketed shows.
\n For now, Cooper needs to save up to cover the application
\n fees.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\n lot, but dishing out $750 is something that just takes some
\n planning and some coordination,\u201d Cooper says. \u201cFor us, we\u2019re
\n running a tight ship, so we just need to save up a little
\n bit.\u201d<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\n Region: Follow @comstocksmag<\/a> on
\n Instagram!<\/strong><\/em>\n<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n