Columbia’s New Brookland Tavern Faces Closure Amid Ownership Transition and Tax Issues

Columbia’s New Brookland Tavern Faces Temporary Closure

In the vibrant city of Columbia, music lovers are facing some bittersweet news as New Brookland Tavern, a beloved venue that has been a haven for local and touring bands, is currently closed due to some unexpected hiccups related to its ownership transition. The good news? The owner is optimistic about reopening soon!

Shows Relocated to Augusta

This week, two big metal shows that were scheduled for the tavern have been moved nearly an hour and a half down the road to Grantski Records in Augusta, Georgia. These shows, featuring the renowned bands The Fall of Troy and Oceano, were originally set to take place on Wednesday and Thursday. They mark the third and fourth events to be relocated since the venue closed last week. On September 1, a local band album release show for Hillmouse had to move right across the street to Bluetile Skateshop, and a local metal band lineup featuring Wiltwither found a new home at The Senate in Vista.

Tax Troubles and Ownership Transition

The owner of New Brookland Tavern, Carlin Thompson, took over the venerable establishment in late July. Although Thompson had been involved with the tavern for many years, handling booking and sound, he is currently facing challenges in finalizing the ownership due to tax issues. These hurdles have left the club without a retail license, meaning it cannot currently operate as usual or serve any alcohol.

According to the South Carolina Department of Revenue, the tavern’s retail license is still in limbo because the previous ownership didn’t renew its licenses for selling beer and wine before the end of last month’s deadline. This delay is holding up much-needed permits, essential for the tavern to reopen effectively. A spokesperson from the Department confirmed that an application for alcohol licensing has been submitted and is currently being processed, which could take up to eight weeks.

Hope for a Quick Resolution

Despite the hurdles, Thompson remains optimistic. He hopes to have the retail license sorted out by the end of this week. He explained that the decision to relocate the shows was made “out of sheer caution” and it’s clear that he’s committed to getting the venue back on its feet as soon as possible. “We are gonna get it settled,” Thompson reassured fans and patrons alike.

History and Future Plans

New Brookland Tavern has been a staple in the local music scene since at least 1998. The venue relocated from West Columbia to the Five Points area last December, aiming to attract more college crowds and to bolster its dedication to local talent. Recently, the tavern has been working on ambitious plans, including the installation of a second stage in an adjacent storefront to further enhance its offerings. However, these plans are currently being stymied by both the tax situation and the rising costs of liquor liability insurance, which has increased dramatically in the state due to a new law requiring bars to maintain a minimum liability coverage of at least $1 million.

Getting back to selling alcohol is essential for the tavern’s revenue, but Thompson shared that the costs associated with insurance are steep. The club will need to cough up $70,000 with an $18,000 down payment for the insurance in the coming year. “The amount on the quotes [is] too much for a down payment with this whole situation, too,” Thompson added, highlighting the financial strain these issues are causing.

A Community Waiting in Anticipation

As the Columbia community awaits updates on New Brookland Tavern’s reopening, music fans can’t help but hold out hope for the beloved venue’s swift return to its thriving acoustic roots. With Thompson’s determination and a little bit of luck, we may see the tavern come back to life, ready to host the sounds of amazing local and touring bands once again.

Stay tuned for updates as we follow this story, and let’s keep our fingers crossed for some good news coming from New Brookland Tavern!