Beer and dancing officially OK
Members of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen have said yes to lifting restrictions on dancing in places where beer is sold, ending almost two decades of regulation.
The issue passed by a 3-2 split vote on second reading Monday after a procedural delay.
“I think it’s a swell idea,” said Jerry Rigsby, who is a new co-manager of the Barn Loft sports bar and restaurant along with his spouse, Brenda. “It’s about time McMinnville caught up with the times.”
McMinnville officials previously lifted restrictions on beer consumption or distribution in pool halls and passed lifting restrictions on the beer consumption/distribution and dance aspect of the old law on first reading, but the matter was referred to committee before second reading.
Although some aldermen brought into question the issue of state regulations of private versus what some called “public clubs,” Rigsby said there is nothing in the state law to his knowledge that prohibits dancing at places where beer is sold. Other aldermen said the distinction of “private” club was to get around the dancing/beer restriction.
Some officials said Monday they feared “honky tonks,” or cheap night clubs, would pop up throughout town.
“That’s what we used to have years ago. We no longer have it. All this does is bring it back,” Alderman Rickey Jones said.
Rigsby said he believes people just want to dance and ending the regulations is good for business.
“I think it will help businesses tremendously because of all of the places who want to have live bands – people who listen to the music want to dance.”
The new ordinance states the old law prohibiting the sale, distribution and consumption of beer in dance and pool halls is “repealed and deleted in its entirety.”
Voting yes to the ordinance were Aldermen Patti Nunley and Rickey Minton as well as Vice Mayor Billy Wood. Voting no were Aldermen Jimmy Bonner and Jones. A city official said Tuesday the law takes effect immediately.