Sacramento – Sacramento has immediate dancing, DJing and live music.
Sacramento’s nighttime economy manager, Tinaly Boggto, said many locations, such as wine bars, coffee shops, bookstores and breweries, were unable to offer live music in the past due to city fees.
“The cost of the permit was about $2,200 for a two-year permit, which raised the price for people,” Lee-Vogt said.
Now, Sacramento City leaders are creating new entertainment permits for less than 300 venues that are cheaper than the less regulated.
“We don’t have the same requirements for security guards and scanners, so we really want to make that a much easier process,” says Lee-Vogt.
Ernesto Delgado owns Tacopel and several other Sacramento restaurants. He wants to apply for a new permit and provide live bands to his clients.
“For small restaurants, it definitely helps bring business, so I’m very grateful for the city that’s willing to do this,” Delgado said.
There are currently around 70 businesses with permissions for live bands, DJs and dance. That number will double under the new rules, creating more work for musicians.
“There are a lot of local bands who can’t find a place to play.”
Another city’s goal is to expand live music opportunities for people in other parts of the city.
“Instead of people having to come downtown all the time, they might be able to go to their local coffee shops and see the local band,” Lee-Vogt said.
Owners like Delgado hope to attract even more customers by adding more entertainment.
“This gives restaurants another assurance that it is another way to help them stay in business,” he said.
Also, the new rules will no longer require permission to keep trivia nights. The city hopes to begin offering permits in June.
