Committee vote expected Thursday on future of Danny's Lounge

Committee vote expected to determine future of West Allis bar

WEST ALLIS -- A controversial bar in West Allis seems to be at a crossroads. Danny's Lounge, near 60th and Burnham is under fire by city officials who want the place closed. Danny's Lounge owner told FOX6 News he is working on a major proposal to satisfy concerns about recent violence.

A West Allis police report says almost 600 people gathered outside Danny's Lounge early Wednesday morning, August 22nd. When police tried to break up the crowd, police say some resisted. One person reportedly jumped on an officer's back. The police report indicates officers recovered a pistol someone dropped as they fled the scene.

Alderman Michael Czaplewski chairs the License and Health Committee. The committee is expected to vote on the Danny's Lounge license on Thursday, August 23rd and could revoke the bar's license.

"My main concern is someone's going to die. There's going to be someone getting killed. It is his business. What do you weigh his business over somebody's life? That's unacceptable," Alderman Czaplewski said.

Alderman Czaplewski cites not only Wednesday's incident, but another on Saturday in which someone fired shots at a car following a hit and run.

In addition, the police report cites a July 14th incident where a man was found unconscious after a fight involving people who were in the bar.

On July 1st, police cited another fight and a large crowd gathering outside Danny's Lounge.

The owner of Danny's Lounge told FOX6 News he is working on a proposal to present to police and aldermen that he hopes will change the situation. He hopes they accept his proposal and allow him to continue operating his business.

"It would have to be one heck of a proposal because as far as I'm concerned and the calls I've gotten and emails I've gotten not only from people living around the bar but people living in the entire area they're tired of it," Alderman Czaplewski said.

Alderman Czaplewski said if they revoke the license for Danny's Lounge, it won't likely be given to another owner. West Allis is already above its quota for liquor licenses, so getting approval for another corner bar would be difficult.