City Approves Senator Theatre Liquor License

Baltimore’s liquor board preliminarily approved a liquor license for a planned restaurant that will open as part of the historic Senator Theatre’s renovation. 

As part of the $3 million overhaul of the theater, owners James “Buzz” Cusack and his daughter and business partner Kathleen Lyon are adding three screens and a restaurant called Bar Zini to the single screen art deco theater that was built in 1939.

"Well I’m pleased, it’s very nice, I feel very fortunate to be doing it, a great project," Cusack said following the hearing.

The board granted a license after Lyon, who is listed as the sole applicant, testified that more than $200,000 will be invested in the restaurant space and it will have more than 75 seats.  Lyon said the restaurant will have a total of 96 seats, counting indoor and outdoor seating, and that capital investment in the restaurant will total about $225,000.

Both the Belvedere Improvement Association, the community group that represents the neighborhood near the theater, and Councilman Bill Henry supported a liquor license being granted.

The theater’s operators agreed to several conditions, such as limiting the number of outdoor seats, barring live entertainment outside and limiting the hours of outdoor service in exchange for the community's support. 

The license hasn't been officially awarded, and several city agencies must complete inspections before the restaurant may serve alcohol. 

David Sherman, the restaurant's operator, told the board the restaurant will serve small plate Mediterranean food, and the bar will serve traditional cocktails, "eclectic" wines and micro brew beers. 

"A fun, casual place," Sherman said.  

Following the meeting, Cusack said he intends to open the theater, which was closed for renovations in the spring of 2012, in about two months.  He also expressed surprise that a handful of reporters were waiting to speak with him following the hearing.

"This is just a movie theater. I don’t understand all of this [media] interest," Cusack said with a chuckle.