Missouri Heavy Metal Club Loses Appeal Of Liquor License Revocation

Dan Curry of The Examiner is reporting that Independence, MO heavy-metal venue The Bunker lost its appeal of its liquor license revocation, but plans to pursue its case in state courts.

The Bunker, at 10520 E. U.S. 40 in southwest Independence, lost its liquor license last month after a lengthy battle with city officials and nearby residents claiming the property was a nuisance with noise and other problems.

A Jackson County court restraining order forced the city to return the license pending the outcome of a hearing Monday before the City Council.

The council ruled 7-0 to uphold the city business license officer's removal of the license.

Some nearby residents have complained of the late-night noise coming from the bar for more than a year.

Valerie Logan spoke on behalf of about 15 residents who attended the hearing.

"I am at the point of utter exhaustion," said Logan, who said the noise prevented her from sleeping and affected her performance at work.

The city presented evidence that The Bunker had constituted a drain on city and police resources. Since August 2003, police have responded to The Bunker 75 times, said officer Harold Echols.

Echols said many of these instances were the result of anonymous phone calls.

David Rauzi, an owner and the lawyer representing the bar, argued The Bunker was in a commercially-zoned area where more noise is expected. He also said the venue took nightly noise readings and adjusted the volume when the bar rose above the ambient noise of U.S. 40.

"We're trying to be good neighbors. Scientifically, we are good neighbors," he said. Read more.