SCOTT WUERZ
bnd.com
City leaders plan to keep a close eye on a local bar that is planning a series of "bikini bike nights" out of fear that they'll disturb neighbors.
HotShots Sports Bar and Grill at 1319 Central Park Drive got approval for a couple of the events of a test basis April 5 and 12. But city leaders took a wait and see attitude toward granting HotShots general manager Mike Lord's request to allow the events every Tuesday this summer.
"I'm not against motorcycles and I'm not against people doing anything to help their business," said Ward 5 Alderman Dennis Renner who voted against allowing the bikini bike nights along with fellow Ward 5 Alderman Mike Bennett. "But I worry about the impact on the neighbors. There are a couple neighborhoods right there and I am worried about the noise and the traffic."
Renner said, while events like the Illinois state Harley Owners Group Rally held last summer in O'Fallon went off without a hitch, sometimes bikers get rowdy and rev up their engines, do burnouts or challenge each other to race.
Lord said he plans to closely monitor the outdoor events to make sure people are respectful of neighbors.
"We're going to rope off part of the parking lot for motorcycle parking and we're basically just going to have a gathering," Lord said. "There's not going to be any loud noise, burnouts or racing because if anybody tries anything like that I will shut it down.
"I have a reputation to keep," Lord said. "This is a multimillion-dollar company and we're committed to holding a respectable event."
Bike nights have become a popular summer promotion for restaurants and bars across the metro-east. Hooters, Pasta House and Show-Me's in Fairview Heights hold them weekly throughout the summer as does Geo's Wings and More in Belleville.
For the April 5 event, Lord said he plans to have a beer wagon and an outdoor beer tub. But he said he is planning no outdoor live entertainment to keep the volume level down. The later events will mostly be held inside the HotShots building that Lord described as "toned down."
"I would assume 80 percent of more of the activities will be inside," Lord said. "We want people to come inside and buy food and drinks. That's the whole point."
Lord said he's used to being closely watched.
"People have been skeptical about a few events we have like our bikini contests," Lord said. "But we always are respectful of our neighbors and the public. We aren't going to let there be any problems."
Contact reporter Scott Wuerz at swuerz@bnd.com
or 239-2626.
Read more: http://www.bnd.com/2011/03/28/1647758/bikini-bike-nights-will-get-special.html#ixzz1HxO44U3Q
Read more: http://www.bnd.com/2011/03/28/1647758/bikini-bike-nights-will-get-special.html#ixzz1HxNqdJIb
