Bottled Blonde Liquor License Hearing Again Pushed Back to August

It’s more of the same for Bottled Blonde, the controversial River North night spot, as attorneys this morning at City Hall quickly agreed to a second continuance as the city determines if they should revoke the bar’s liquor license. The matter took about three minutes to discuss, as parties will reconvene in three weeks on Aug. 1. Last month’s non-eventful rendezvous lasted under a minute as the teams (before the hearing) had already planned to push for a status hearing for today.

Next month’s hearing will also be a status and city officials will then likely set a date for trial. The city attorneys shared their discovery evidence with Bottled Blonde attorneys today, and the bar will need time to examine what was shared. Today’s proceeding was attended by about 15 people, a let down compared to the packed house that filled the hearing room in June.

In between hearings, Bottled Blonde managed to find a way to keep itself in the spotlight. The establishment was linked to a fatal car crash that took place last month. The driver, who later died by suicide, and the slain passenger were at Bottled Blonde the day of the incident. Some neighbors who live close to Bottled Blonde mourned the deaths, but at the same time said this tragic incident could have been avoided if Bottled Blonde and city officials took their concerns more seriously. They feel Bottled Blonde can either respect their operating agreement with the city (it should operate a restaurant, not as a nightclub), or the city should swiftly move to close them down. There have been several reports about drunks and traffic and noise complaints. Of course, the Internet raged in May, with many calling the bar racist after news of the Bottled Blonde’s lengthy dress code spread.

Bottled Blonde attorneys have always maintained that they’ve adhered to the operating agreement and have made changes to security based on suggestions from residents. They’ve also pointed out how there are other similar bars in the River North neighborhood.

It appears the attorneys and the city are taking a summer vacation until they attempt to resolve the matter. Stay tuned for more in this ongoing saga.