Some North Texas restaurant owners say a recent crackdown by Dallas code enforcement could put the future of local live music at risk.
At least two restaurants, Revelers Hall in Oak Cliff and The Free Man in Deep Ellum, say they were recently told they can no longer charge customers a cover fee tied to live music, due to how their businesses are classified. under city code.
Jason Roberts, general manager of Revelers Hall in the Bishop Arts District, said the venue has long used a “music fee” model—adding a small charge to a customer’s final tab to help pay performers.
“Music is what, for me, it makes life worth living,” Roberts said.
Revelers Hall seats about 60 people and hosts regular live brass band and jazz performances.
“Live music just continues to get harder and harder to execute and pay for,” Roberts said. “We’re all kind of perplexed—where is this coming from? We feel like we’ve been good neighbors.”
John Myers, owner of The Free Man on Commerce Street in Deep Ellum, said his venue, open for 14 years and full nearly every weekend, was also recently told to stop charging cover fees.
“It should be our call whether we want to have a cover, the customers’ call whether they want to pay it,” Myers said.
A spokesperson for the city of Dallas confirmed that current city code does not allow businesses operating under a restaurant certificate of occupancy (CO) to charge cover fees. If a fee is advertised as being connected to entertainment—such as live music—the venue is reclassified from a restaurant to a commercial amusement business.
City Council member Chad West, whose district includes Revelers Hall, says the city needs to update its code.
“Dallas’ code is very old and we’re seeing the results of that in this exact situation,” West said. “I think we need to find a way to allow this business to continue operating legally.”
The city’s Nighttime Enforcement Team has been checking entertainment districts to ensure businesses remain in compliance with CO and specific use permit (SUP) regulations, according to a city spokesperson.
Despite the challenge, Roberts said support from Revelers Hall’s customers has been overwhelming.
“The outpouring from the community saying you have to stay, we got to keep Revelers around, has been amazing,” he said.
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