By John Morton
The Crescent Club is looking to extend its live-music hours beyond its current 10 p.m. shutdown time. The bar at 6519 Midnight Pass Rd. has applied with Sarasota County for a special-exception permit that would allow for live music on its street-side outdoor patio until 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursdays and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
Siesta Key’s current Unified Development Code limits live music to 10 p.m.
“People kept asking to play the live entertainment longer – 10 p.m. is just too early for the live entertainment to stop,” Gary Kompothecras, the business’ owner, said.
Step one was a neighborhood workshop on June 19, with property owners within 750 feet of the Crescent Club receiving notice. Next, the Sarasota County Planning Commission and then the Sarasota Board of County Commissioners will address the request.
The last Siesta Key business to make a request for extended live-music hours was Gilligan’s earlier this year, which was asking that performances go as late as 2 a.m. The Planning Commission voted in favor but the commissioners later said no.
Last year, the Crescent Club was fined $4,000 (since reduced to $1,000) for frequently violating its 10 p.m. shutdown time. Residents of the House of the Sun condo complex, located across the street, had complained about both the hours and volume.
Kompothecras said his business has taken measures to address the noise.
“We took major steps to reduce the decibel readings and turned the speakers and reduced the bass so that the music is within normal speaking range,” he said. “Besides, even if we get approved, it can be taken away if the sound is too loud.”
Author: John Morton
- Tags: Crescent Club, Gary Kompothecras