Bruno's Tavern

Bruno's Tavern - 7528-38 Maple Street - On August 29, 2006, the City's Department of Safety and Permits granted an occupancy permit to Bruno's Tavern. Previously, the City had not acted on the occupancy permit and Bruno's sued the City to allow it to open without the occupancy permit. In dispute in the suit was whether Bruno's had obtained the 21 parking spaces required by an Ordinance that set numerous conditions and limitations for operation of Bruno's Tavern.

For almost two years, Bruno's had argued that it had all of its 21 parking spaces based on a parking area at 7505-07 Maple Street (Favori Deli) and at 7713 Maple Street (Friend & Co.). MARI opposed the granting of an occupancy permit based on these parking locations as they clearly did not meet the requirements of the Ordinance. Recognizing the merits of MARI's position, Bruno's just recently sought to claim up to 18 parking spaces at a different location at the corner of Adams and Maple Street (801 Adams Street). MARI argued, however, that, of the 26 total parking spaces at this location, virtually all of these spaces are used and/or leased by three other late night businesses on Maple Street (Fresco's, PJ's, Maple Street Cafe). Although MARI maintained that the joint use restrictions in the Conditional Zoning Ordinance prohibited use of some or all of these parking spaces, the Department of Safety and Permits decided to grant Bruno's its occupancy permit. On February 12, 2007, the BZA upheld the City's decision.

In this same suit, however, MARI already has reversed Bruno's improper attempt to allow "live entertainment" at Bruno's Tavern. This action follows a prior meritless law suit by Bruno's against MARI and individual neighbors that the Court has dismissed.

On top of this, Bruno's now has reneged on its promise, and requirement to continue operating Bruno's Tavern, to convert the existing Bruno's Bar across the street to a restaurant that closes by 11:00 p.m. Please click here to see the many ways that Bruno's acknowledged this duty to our neighbors, the City Planning Commission, and the City Council but now violates this requirement.

MARI will consider an appeal of the BZA approval of the inadequate parking plan. Further, MARI will monitor compliance of Bruno's Tavern with other requirements of the Ordinance and promises by Bruno's Tavern. Some of these restrictions include prohibition on drink specials after 8:00 p.m., a requirement that two uniformed security guards remain stationed outside the bar to monitor patron behavior after 10:00 p.m., and a requirement that the doors to the patio close after 10:00 p.m.

Click here for a history of MARI's opposition to the Bruno's Tavern proposal.