More than 100 residents have opposed a karaoke bar’s application for a liquor license on 8th Street in LA Koreatown.
A Karaoke, located at 8th Street and Normandy Avenue, has applied for a conditional use permit (CUP) to sell alcohol, and nearby residents have filed a petition to the Wilshire Center-Koreatown Neighborhood Council on February 12, claiming that it is an ‘illegal business.’
In June of last year, the business applied for a CUP for on-site consumption of alcohol for the 15-room karaoke bar (133 seats), which would be open daily from 11 a.m. to 4 a.m., according to the LA Department of City Planning.
The petition highlighted that the business’s parking lot is within 100 feet of a residence, which is illegal, and that there is a school nearby, arguing that alcohol should not be sold during school hours.
The petition also stated that “The permit to do business should be reconsidered with more neighborhood input. Neighbors do not want this business here.”
The petition was signed by 104 residents and business owners.
“At night, the noise of the drunk people can be heard inside the house, and it’s very noisy,” said Soonbok Hwang (82), a resident of a nearby apartment, adding, “I can’t even go outside in the evening because the drunk people are walking around without their pants on.”
Notably, according to LAPD crime statistics, the same address the karaoke bar is located at (3300 W 8th St.) had one of the highest numbers of arrests for “sell liquor W/O license” in LA during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the same period, 161 people were arrested for this charge citywide, with 11 of those arrests occurring at this address.
“The business was open all night, and when the doors opened at 6 a.m., naked men and women would come out,” said Patty Hwang, one of the petition’s signatories. “They were cracked down on several occasions by the police, who took away all the karaoke machines, and the business reopened two days later, leaving residents devastated.”
“Residents are not only complaining about the smell of marijuana and the loud voices of drunks but are also concerned that the 8th Avenue area, which is already prone to traffic accidents and crime, has become more dangerous.”
Hwang also said that she is skeptical that karaoke bars that have been operating illegally will now try to get legal licenses.
“I think they’re trying to look like a legitimate business because if there’s a police crackdown. Without CUP, they’re going to get their karaoke machines seized or be severely penalized,” Hwang said.
The petition will be delivered to the office of the 10th District Councilmember on the L.A. City Council.
“Three months ago, a person representing the Karaoke’s CUP application came to the meeting and asked for approval, but it was put on hold due to many complaints from residents,” said WCKNC Chair Mark Lee. “I understand that the LA City Council office also refused to support the application because they knew that there was a lot of crime in the area.”
BY SUAH JANG, JUNHAN PARK [jang.suah@koreadaily.com]
