Eight establishments in Brookhaven could lose their liquor licenses because the city believes they fraudulently categorized themselves as restaurants instead of entertainment venues.
The city's new Alcohol Code says any business with a DJ, dance floor or stage is an entertainment venue that must pay $100,000 to obtain liquor licenses needed to sell beer, wine and spirits.
By comparison, liquor licenses for restaurants is less than $6,000. All eight businesses received letters on April 18 after routine code enforcement visits earlier in the month.
The letters said these establishments’ liquor licenses will be suspended for nine days starting on May 18. They must resubmit paperwork and pay the correct fees plus a $500 fine to get back in good standing.
Earlier this year, four restaurants lost their appeal to remain designated as restaurants after Brookhaven attempted to force them to reclassify as entertainment venues and pay the $100,000 liquor license fee. Those companies have appealed further to the courts.
The eight establishments who received letters on April 18 are:
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