SAN FRANCISCO (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Although Live Nation's plans to renovate the Masonic Auditorium have passed the Planning Commission, the promoter is facing a new challenge at the venue after the state's liquor license authority, Alcoholic Beverage Control told Live Nation that they couldn't sell alcohol at a March 12th Chelsea Handler concert.
A spokesman for ABC told the San Francisco Chronicle that a decision on alcohol sales is still pending for an April 16 Jeff Beck gig as well as he April 22 and 23 shows with Conan O'Brien. All of the shows have sold out and Live Nation indicated that it was too late to move the dates to a more libatious venue.
Live Nation has faced stiff opposition from local resident's groups to its planned expansion of operations at the Nob Hill venue. The groups have expressed typical concerns about increased traffic, noise and ravening hordes of intoxicated concertgoers.
"We've gotten to the 5-yard line several times only to find there is some new little wrinkle," Live Nation executive Lee Smith told the Chronicle. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
