When the sun sets in downtown Phoenix, the coffee shop-filled streets and cozy study spots turn into bustling bars filled with happy customers.
The Rose Garden and MOTOMOTO Sushi & Izakaya are two new restaurant faces in the area.
However, before either place opened, the businesses had to jump through hoops set by the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control or DLLC. That process is expensive, time-consuming, and dependent upon many factors, including the type of permit and business location.
Brianna Raschake is the assistant manager at The Rose Garden and has been with the bar since its conception.
“There are two different ways of getting the Series 6 liquor license, either inheriting it or going through a process that is like a raffle. We inherited ours because the Monroe was in this space previously and they closed, so we got their license”, Raschake said.
The Rose Garden is not required to hit a certain number in food sales; instead, they only sell small bites and appetizers.
Yet, according to their license type, they must stop serving alcohol between 2 and 6 a.m.
MOTOMOTO Sushi & Izakaya holds a Series 12 liquor license. Liquor licenses such as these mean the restaurant must make 40% of its gross revenue from food sales and go through a usually-grueling application process.
Justin Nakasu is the General Manager of MOTOMOTO Sushi & Izakaya. The restaurant just opened its second location in the downtown area.
“We were very fortunate because the city had a special processing period for liquor licenses because of COVID. It only took us about two through three months to get the license,” Nakasu said.
As a result of the area’s competitiveness, opening any business in the area is demanding.The businesses had to get creative.
“In the industry, we call it a soft opening. So you do half of your menu for about a month… just to make sure you have all of those kinks worked out”, Raschake said.
It worked out well for The Rose Garden.
According to Raschake, the bar’s theme is based “on a story written where a garden and a peacock are fighting for attention.”
There are floral designs, an “eccentric” aura, and a realistic-looking peacock look over the lounge’s patrons.
On par with the secret garden theme, The Rose Garden is perfect for hiding out and enjoying a drink at the end of the day.
Contact the reporter at jocelynn@up-agency.com
