The Peoria City Council has decided to defer a decision on the contentious liquor license application for Empire Lounge, located at 3033 N. Sterling Avenue, for 30 days. The application was set for denial, but Councilmember Denise Jackson pulled it from the consent agenda to allow Wardcliffe Neighborhood Association members to visit the lounge before making a final decision.
Empire Lounge had previously applied for a liquor license three times, facing opposition from nearby neighborhood associations such as Wardcliffe and Forrest Hill. Previous applications were denied in 2022 and one was withdrawn last year. The city council’s decision to defer came after the Wardcliffe Association agreed to hold their next meeting at Empire Lounge.
The Peoria Liquor Commission had recommended denying Empire Lounge’s application based on allegations from the Peoria Police Department that the lounge had been serving alcohol without a license. However, Empire Lounge denied these allegations and a liquor investigator observed open alcohol in the building. Additionally, concerns were raised by the Fire Department regarding whether the lounge had been operating without a certificate of occupancy.
Despite these issues being discussed during the meeting, no decisions were made as the outcome of Empire Lounge’s liquor license remains uncertain pending further evaluation and community outreach.
