Missouri Heavy Metal Club Claims Discrimination In Liquor License Dispute
September 24, 2004Dan Curry of The Examiner is reporting that Independence, MO city officials pulled the liquor license of heavy-metal rock venue The Bunker last Friday (Sept. 17) after an administrative hearing earlier in the morning.
By the middle of this week The Bunker had won a reprieve. A county judge issued a restraining order against the city that will allow the music venue to continue selling liquor until an appeals hearing before the full City Council on Oct. 4.
The city contends the venue has failed to maintain an orderly place and has been employing bands that don't have occupational permits.
Bunker dwellers say they're just being harassed by overzealous policing and that the requirement of occupational permits for bands is both arbitrary and ridiculous.
The extreme style of their music is also the source for discrimination, they contend.
Nearby resident Julie LeCluyse says the Bunker is just too loud. LeCluyse says the noise of the heavy metal has been unbearable at night.
"The music stops around two and then they go out in the parking lot and open their doors and play loud music on the radios," she said.
LeCluyse also said the place had been the scene of fighting and drug traffic. She and other nearby residents have pursued a nuisance action against the bar over the noise. In a recent mediation, the bar agreed to add soundproofing. Read more.
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