Brewing Co. can serve hard alcohol
Noaki Schwartz
NEWPORT BEACH -- The City Council voted Monday to allow the Newport
Beach Brewing Co. to serve hard alcohol, overturning a Planning
Commission decision last month.
“I haven’t had a drink of hard liquor in my life -- I’m Southern
Baptist,” said Councilwoman Norma Glover. “[But] this seems like a
reasonable request.”
The Planning Commission denied the restaurant’s request, concluding
that the addition would contribute to an already high-crime rate and high
concentration of liquor licenses in Cannery Village.
But restaurant representatives and patrons managed to convince council
members otherwise.
“We are not a bar that serves food, we are a restaurant that brews
beer,” said Sean Needelman, an operations manager.
The Brewing Co.’s revenue fell significantly this year, said
Needelman, claiming that the drop was in part because the eatery could
not provide cocktails with dinner. The restaurant, which caters to
families, businessmen as well as a younger crowd, needs to be able to
provide the same service as competing establishments, he said. Right now
the Brewing Co. only offers beer and wine.
Moreover, others mentioned that with the recent demise of the Cannery
and Snug Harbor, it would be unfortunate to let another favored
establishment slip away.
After a convincing argument, the license was eventually granted in a
6-1 vote, with Councilman John Noyes dissenting.
Before the vote, however, Councilwoman Jan Debay wanted to ensure that
if the owners change or if the serving of hard liquor adds to the area’s
problems, the council could revoke the license.
All the latest on Orange County from Orange County.
Get our free TimesOC newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Daily Pilot.