Cabaret reopens after city tussle

Violations had closed bar. The Biltmore is back.

An emerging venue for live music in Vancouver, the Biltmore Cabaret was closed Aug. 15 for a variety of infractions that began with having too many patrons and moved on to requiring retroactive permits and engineering studies for a stage that was formerly a raised dance floor.

All that ended yesterday with the nightspot getting its liquor licence back and planning to reopen with bands tonight and tomorrow.

Cabaret owner Zak Pashak celebrated the club's reopening in an e-mail to The Province from Japan.

"So many people did so much to help us, and I think that a lot of people can be proud of this," wrote Pashak. "Everyone who sent an e-mail, everyone who talked about what was going on, everyone who even read about what was going on -- not to mention the people making phone calls, doing media requests, helping me write press releases, and contacting their elected representatives."

Word of the closure had spread quickly.

A Facebook protest group called "Stop Vancouver's Bedtime Police!" was formed and the day the music died suddenly became a news item.

The Biltmore staff scrambled to comply with city regulations and fire department rules.

Cabaret general manager Josh Jenkins thinks the bureaucrats may have gone a little too far.

"At a certain point it become harassment," said Jenkins last night.

The Biltmore is in the process of forming associations with entertainment groups like Live Nation, which put on the recent Pemberton music festival.

One of the events cancelled because of the cabaret's closure was a Live Nation show.

"It was definitely damaging," said Jenkins.

The Biltmore's current capacity is 320 patrons.

Frank Luba, The Province

Published: Friday, August 29, 2008

fluba@theprovince.com