by Dana Wilbourn
posted November 6, 2008
The Chattanooga Beer Board, on Thursday, suspended the beer license for Midtown Music Hall at 818 Georgia Avenue for seven days for operating a disorderly place on October 24, 2008.
Chattanooga Police Officer John Collins testified that he stopped by the establishment that evening at the invitation of the owner, Pete Waddington, to check things out. Officer Collins noticed several young people drinking and asked for their identification. Six minors were arrested for underage drinking or fake identification.
A seventh minor was being escorted outside to be arrested when her friend, another female, started a fight with Officer Collins. One of the bouncers for the establishment jumped into the melee and started trying to pull Officer Collins away from the girls. Officer Collins was in plain clothes and the bouncer thought he was a patron that had joined the fight.
Officer Collins said he immediately identified himself as a police officer and pushed the bouncer away. The bouncer came back at the officer, and other police stepped in to restrain him. Officer Collins again told the bouncer he was a police officer, and the bouncer apologized for the misunderstanding.
During the scuffle, the seventh minor fled from the building and could not be located. Her friend, who started the fight, refused to give the name of the girl who escaped.
Mr. Waddington told the board that he had five security people on the floor that night. It was college night, and he admitted making the bad decision to allow 18 year olds in the club. Minors were supposed to have had arm bands indicating underage status, he said.
“Everything that could go wrong, went wrong that night,” Mr. Waddington said. He told the board he would no longer allow 18, 19, and 20 year olds in the club. He apologized to the board for having to appear before them.
A motion was approved to suspend the license of Midtown Music Hall for seven days beginning November 13.
Another violation was passed to the next board meeting on November 20. Charles Stearns, owner of 2301 Restaurant at 2301 Milne St. asked for the delay so his attorney could be with him.
The restaurant was the site of multiple shootings on October 12. A Chattanooga police officer patrolling in the area heard gunshot sounds coming from the establishment. Upon arrival at the club, the officer saw a crowd of young people running from the exit and into the street. More gunshots were heard. After calling for backup, the police found three people had been shot; one inside the club and two outside.
Mr. Stearns agreed to appear before the board with his attorney on November 20.
One beer license application was approved for:
Kathy Jo Black
Cheap Seats (formerly Midway)
2925 Rossville Blvd.
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