A proposed amendment to the Naperville liquor code allowing spirits to be sold at concert and theater venues will benefit not just The Matrix, a huge complex being opened on Route 59, but other entertainment locations in the city.
The Naperville Liquor Commission Thursday recommended the Naperville City Council amend regulations on the sale of alcohol at live performances to include spirits in addition to wine and beer.
If approved by the council at its May 17 meeting, the amendment would allow the other two theater liquor license holders, Wentz Concert Hall and Center Stage Theater, to request the ability to serve spirits as well.
The amendment was sought by The Matrix Club, which will become one of the largest banquet, convention and live entertainment venues in Naperville area when it opens this summer at 808 S. Route 59.
With seating for up to 1,200 people at gatherings with tables and up to 2,000 for concerts, the complex will offer a 4,500-square-foot fine-dining restaurant and an adjacent 20,500-square-foot configurable space for banquets, conventions, events, and live music and theater performances.
Three liquor licenses have been approved to accommodate the various functions available at the location.
A restaurant and tavern license is for The Matrix Room, a restaurant and lounge where the primary business is to serve meals. A permit also will be issued for live entertainment in the lounge and liquor service past 11 p.m.
Another license allows liquor service at catered events at The Matrix Club, the facility’s banquet and entertainment venue.
The third is a theater license for live performances when food is not served, which is the one that could be amended to include spirits.
Rejected by the commission was a request to allow bottle service of spirits at tables.
Principal partner Madan Kulkarni tried to assuage concerns about customers overserving themselves by promising that any bottles of hard liquor purchased would be poured by staff, who are required to receive alcoholic beverage service training.
Commissioners remained hesitant.
Mayor Steve Chirico suggested Kulkarni get the facility up and running first so the city can monitor the situation. Once there is a history, Kulkarni could make a second request for bottle service, Chirico said.
At the April commission meeting, Kulkarni said bottle service was allowed at a smaller banquet facility he operated in Rolling Meadows from 2007 to 2020 and no problems resulted.
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That claim was confirmed through Rolling Meadows Police Department records obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request filed by the Naperville Sun. Police did receive four calls for fights at the venue but no charges were filed, police said in the FOIA response.