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The party this St. Patrick’s Day could be confined to the indoors for one Davenport bar. Several bars applied for outdoor liquor licenses for the upcoming holiday, but city staff have recommended denying the request from Shenanigan’s.
City staff says the bar’s history of trouble should keep them from serving alcohol outside: Including two stabbings within the last three years.
Local Four spoke with Alderwoman Maria Dickmann. Who sits on Davenport’s public safety committee. She says the bar’s troubled history led to city staff recommending the denial of their outdoor privileges.
“There was a lot that went into the recommendations, and certainly we want to consider all of Davenport’s needs, and public safety is very high on that list,” Dickmann said.
For St. Patrick’s day, Shenanigan’s requested closing the street by the establishment, in addition to an outdoor liquor license. Another bar vying for those same privileges Wednesday night is Scott’s Shovelhead Shed.
City council already approved five other downtown Davenport bars for outside service on St. Patrick’s Day. City staff is only recommending denying Shenanigan’s. Davenport’s city attorney cited the bar’s past as reason to deny the special license, saying 40 percent of all police calls to bars in the area in the last two years, were to Shenanigan’s
“There’s been some history that has raised concerns, and so after thorough investigation by staff and council members, it was recommended to not [grant their requests]… It’s certainly understandable that they’ve put in their request, but our concern is primarily public safety,” Dickmann said.
We also contacted Shenanigans’ lawyer Mike Meloy. He says the city is singling out Shenanigan’s, saying they should have the same rights to an outdoor liquor license as other bars receiving them for St. Patrick’s day.
“Those incidents that happened can not be attributed solely to Shenanigan’s. There are three bars located directly across the street on third street Macs, Kilkenny’s and Carriage Haus to single out Shenanigan’s because they don’t like Shenanigan’s is discriminatory and unfair and should not be allowed by the city of Davenport,” Meloy said.
Council will vote on both the requests from Shenanigan’s and Scott’s Shovelhead Shed at their meeting Wednesday night.
