Hearne: New Liquor Licenses in Works for Westport & Waldo

Don’t look now, but the party poopers at City Hall in Kansas City are turning over a new leaf…

Sources say the Kansas City Council appears poised to relax the city’s density requirements which in Westport would allow the party zone to add new liquor licenses for bars and taverns.

Before a bar, restaurant or liquor store can be granted a liquor license in Kansas City, Missouri a density study must be made “to determine if the population within a 3,000-foot radius of the proposed premise tavern or package liquor store will support another package store or tavern in the area,’ according to city regulations.

For several years Westport has been at its max for new licenses, meaning new nightclubs and the like had to obtain their licenses from an existing businesses in order to open and operate.

Look for Westport to continue its comback if  density requirements are relaxed.

Meanwhile, out in the wilds of Waldo another new liquor ordinance was passedthat will enable restaurant/bars like The Well near 75th and Wornall to remain open until 3 a.m.

However just for six nights a year.

Anybody wanna bet St. Patrick’s Day won’t be one of them?

First the bar or restaurant must get consents from its neighbors. Once those consents are obtained they can exercise all six of their annual 3 a.m. licenses as the businesses choose.

Sources say The Well is well on it’s way to becoming the first Waldo business to take advantage of the new ordinance.