At last, Pazo gets its live entertainment license
After more than a year of legislation and a six-month application process, Pazo has its live entertainment license.
The restaurant/lounge between Harbor East and Fells Point is one of the first to receive a new live entertainment license under the new law authored by Mayor Stephanie C. Rawlings-Blake.
'It's one of the great miracles of our fair city to actually have one issued," said owner Tony Foreman. "We want to do something as simple and civilized as allow people to dance a little bit when dinner is over, just on the weekends." ...
For years after it opened, patrons of the trendy restaurant could get up and dance if they liked the house music. That stopped about two and a half years ago, when city officials threatened to shut down the restaurant if the dancing continued, Foreman said.
Pazo operates in a B-2 business district, where, until recently, live entertainment was not allowed. Technically, when Foreman's patrons got up and danced, it was considered live entertainment.
Live entertainment has been one of Rawlings-Blake's signature initiatives. She penned a bill which allowed taverns in B-2 and restaurants -- such as Pazo -- in B-1 and B-2 zones to apply for a live entertainment license with the Board of Municipal & Zoning Appeals and the Board of Liquor License Commissioners. It was passed last October.
Now that it has its live entertainment license, Pazo will once again have dancing and DJs after 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Foreman said."We have a great music director," Foreman said. "We have great DJs. We want people to be able to enjoy the music and feel free to express themselves a little bit after dinner."
So far, the zoning board has approved five licenses, for bars, clubs and restaurants such as Back Alley Jazz, Zissimos and Portside Tavern. The latter will have live acoustic music a couple times a week, according to owner Steve Roop.
(Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. Lam)
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
Comments
I wonder how long it will be before the big boys in Federal Hill will have live bands?
Posted by: anon;) | June 17, 2010 8:21 AM
Live music permit at Zissimo's?? Do you think they'll try to compete with Golden West? Would find that fascinating, if nothing else.
Posted by: GMan | June 17, 2010 9:44 AM
'It's one of the great miracles of our fair city to actually have one issued," said owner Tony Foreman.
[laugh]
Posted by: Another Aaron | June 17, 2010 11:06 AM
I too am surprised about Zissimo's...maybe now they can bring back country line dancing night!
Posted by: Dave the wave | June 17, 2010 11:12 AM
"LET'S DAAAANCE!!!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaaYU-lZ3ac
Posted by: ryan97ou | June 17, 2010 12:08 PM
Sam - Saw your article about the Harbor East Deli and Pizza. I thought you were right on about the pizza lacking real flavor. I also think the place has too much seating inside. If you choose to sit inside, you are forced to listen to Alex the owner order numbers for food to be picked up. All this adds up to a pretty frustrating experience. If you are looking for the same type of food, but better and a much chiller atmosphere (who needs that many tv's at a lunch place???) try Italian Graffiti on Fleet in Fells. Great pizza and cool guys.
Posted by: TS | June 17, 2010 12:18 PM
Does anyone else find it peculiar that a "live entertainment" license has to be issued to play recorded (not live) music?
Posted by: Verse and Chorus | June 17, 2010 12:30 PM
According to a piece I did last year:
"Live entertainment" is a broad-reaching term that includes musical and theatrical performances, magic shows, karaoke, DJs, dances and revues. It does not affect adult entertainment licenses.
Also, TS, thanks for the tip. I've never heard of that place, and I'll have to check it out.
Posted by: Sam Sessa | June 17, 2010 12:35 PM
V&C, If I remember correctly, Live Entertainment came under license review when a disc jockey spoke on a microphone, as long as they did not rock the mic. It was fair game.
Posted by: moondoggy | June 17, 2010 3:53 PM
No mic rocking needed. The act of spinning constitutes rocking the hizzie. It's all very messed up. The idea that peeps just gotta dance at Pazo is hilarious. That has GOTS to be entertaining. I love watching old peepies cut a rug. 23 skidoo!
Posted by: Owl Meat Gravy | June 18, 2010 5:31 AM
You have to get the "live music" license for a DJ. Do you know how hard it is to get a "dead music" license in this city?
Posted by: Dave | June 18, 2010 9:40 AM
Anybody see Corks new attempt at a lounge the last few weekends?
Posted by: Geronimo | June 18, 2010 9:56 AM
@Geronimo-do tell!
Posted by: anon;) | June 18, 2010 1:49 PM
@Geronimo-do tell!
Thought I just did. Well they were at it again last night. DJ, doormen, hired models. I don't get the impression that they know what the hell they're doing, though. hand-written signs outside, top-40 music. I could see them getting away with running a lounge, but what they're doing isn't that.
Posted by: Geronimo | June 19, 2010 3:12 PM
Sam, you should be checking this out instead of the Tiki Barge:)!
Posted by: anon;) | June 19, 2010 4:37 PM
In other live entertainment news, Sam have you heard about 9:30 club suing Montgomery County over the Live Nation venue, Fillmore in Silver Spring?
If so, any news from you or anyone else on the blog?
Posted by: Abject Disaster | June 21, 2010 10:52 AM
Why the F do you need a licence to dance? Baltimore is so damn boring! All anyone does is sit and drink. I want to dance. Philly and Richmond are so much fun.,
Posted by: sue | June 22, 2010 7:57 PM
Richmond? Richmond, Virginia?
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahhahahahaha
*deep breath*
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Posted by: Anonymous | June 22, 2010 11:17 PM