Posted by John Byrne at 11:03 a.m.
The number of liquor licenses would more than double on Chicago Park District property along the lakefront under a proposal Mayor Richard Daley introduced today.
The high-profile locations where beer, wine and liquor would be able to be sold under Daley’s plan include the North Rose Garden at Buckingham Fountain, the 63rd Street Beach House in Jackson Park and three new locations in Lincoln Park: the Montrose Beach House, the Osterman Beach House and the Diversey Grill, according to a city Web site.
Other new spots where Daley wants to allow liquor sales include the South Shore Golf Course, the Ohio Street Beach in Olive Park, Calumet Beach House in Calumet Park, Diversey Driving Range and
Miniature Golf Course, DuSable Harbor Building, the South Shore Cultural Center, the 31st Street Boathouse in Burnham Park and the 87th Street Harbor.
All told, the mayor wants to add 13 new liquor licenses to the 12 already allowed on lakefront park district land, according to the ordinance. In 23 of the 25 spots, the ordinance seeks to restrict alcohol sales to no later than 10 p.m. Currently, liquor sales are allowed until 11 p.m. in most places.
The mayor’s plan would allow liquor sales to continue until midnight at Northerly Island. Currently, Millennium Park is the only lakefront park where alcohol can be purchased that late.
In seven parks where only beer and wine are now allowed to be sold, the Daley administration wants to allow liquor sales. Those include two spots in Lincoln Park, bringing to five the total number of places where Chicagoans can buy an alcoholic beverage in the popular North Side park.
The proposed ordinance will be sent to the City Council’s License Committee for consideration.