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This cannot be good. Aiding in the closure of one of the few business that make money in SF? Ugh. According to Anna Conda, former Miss Trannyshack and club promoter of Herr-A-Chick, the DNA Lounge finally "lost its liquor license," so she's moving her club night. If you recall, DNA Lounge came under fire from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, after the covert agents witnesses the exposing of bare buttocks at one of the club's queer nights. (Anna Conda has since moved the 4/15 version of Herr-A-Chick to the Eagle Tavern.) But don't fret, DNA fans. They are still in the appeals process. Stay tuned for updates, or go here for more about DNA's ongoing battle with ABC.
Update: Drama! OK, we futzed the first part of this. Here's what DNA (angrily) has to say about the above information.
1) We have not "lost our liquor license". All that happened is we got another piece of paper along the way with ABC's decision on it, as opposed to mere threats. The appeal process continues. It could take years, and we will certainly be open in the meantime.2) The reason Herr-a-Chick is moving to the Eagle is because they were never able to get more than 50 people to show up to one of their events. DNA Lounge is just way too big for them.
Also, "the judge recommended revocation, and they are facing a long appeals process, but they still have it and it's business as usual." That is to say, the place is open for business as usual.
Here's a link to the legal defense fund to help DNA Lounge.
There's a Save DNA Facebook page too.
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Well f*ck.
This is going to affect a ton of people, not the least my friends at the Hubba Hubba.
I don't know if DNA's story is credible or not. Trying to get free press maybe? You're right. it doesn't make sense that the city would strip them of a liquor license so I call bullshit.
It's not the city, it's the state ABC board. Their story is VERY credible from the conversations I've had with people who work there. Tons of details including legal defense fund info at dnalounge.com.
ABC, not the city. DNA is a fantastic club with reputable management. they don't need trickery to get press or a good crowd.
Hey, here's an idea. Instead of "calling bullshit" based on no evidence whatsoever other than a gut instinct and a complete lack of knowledge about how liquor licenses are granted and revoked in the state of California, how about you actually (god forbid) do a little research if you're so skeptical? The ABC's proceedings are a matter of public record, and the folks at DNA have been chronicling the whole matter publicly on their website for weeks now.
There's this thing called google. Use it.
Does anyone know how to file a complaint with the ABC about this? Or should we just be calling the state assembly directly?
I don't know where to see this Anna Conda post you're referencing, but either you're wildly misinterpreting it, or she's full of shit.
1) We have not "lost our liquor license". All that happened is we got another piece of paper along the way with ABC's decision on it, as opposed to mere threats. The appeal process continues. It could take years, and we will certainly be open in the meantime.
2) The reason Herr-a-Chick is moving to the Eagle is because they were never able to get more than 50 people to show up to one of their events. DNA Lounge is just way too big for them.
It would be really, really nice if you would do even the tiniest bit of fact-checking before you go spreading rumors like this. You're really not helping.
If you would like to actually be a help rather than a hinderance in my fight against the prohibitionist homophobes running our state's liquor control board, then instead of spreading rumors that we're closed, you could instead direct them to the actual facts, which are linked to right there on the front page of the DNA Lounge site. Or to the Save DNA Lounge Facebook group Or to our Legal Defense Fund.
This battle is going to take years. I hope I don't have to spend the whole time dealing with uninformed pinheads going around saying, "oh, I heard they were closed."
I assure you that if we were closing, you'd be hearing it directly from me. It's not like I've been quiet about this process. We are not closed. We are not closing. I will be fighting this battle for years. And if you give a shit about live music and nightlife in San Francisco, I could sure use your help.
Ugh. I'm always skeptical when headlines have a question mark in them. Glad to hear this is untrue. Thanks for the clarification, jwz.
Brock - get your facts straight. thanks.
Since most people haven't had LEAD training from the ABC, or work with licensing, or work in clubs, lets get a few facts out on the table before people call bullshit on DNA.
ABC= Alcohol Beverage Control (State agency)
ABC Issues all licenses.
ABC Enforces the laws pertaining to Alc (21, 2am, etc.)
ABC writes the laws pertaining to Alc
ABC has their own court system for Alc related issues
ABC has their own Judges for Alc issues
ABC can revoke Licences
When you have an Alc licence, ABC can do anything they like at any time, and need no warrents. They can walk into your building without notice, they can go into any part of your building, go through any files, computers, safes, closets, lockers, etc etc. If you protest or interfere they can do any of the following: Arrest you, Fine you, Revoke your alcohol licence.
Now, to their credit, they typically are very cool about their powers. They rarely throw their weight around however they do have a signifigant amount of powers in reserve.
I was informed in LEAD class straight up by one of their officials they "If want, I can have anyone license revoked if I want. It takes about 3 years. If I want to take it away, I will, and there's nothing you can do about it because it will be legal."
This is what DNA is up against. There is a lack of State oversight with the ABC, and they get free run to do what they like.
Now, if you want to see what bars and clubs have to go through to be compliant, browse here:
http://www.abc.ca.gov/questions.html
You may also want to look at:
http://www.abc.ca.gov/forms/ABCAct_2007.pdf
Search for Section 143.2
--S