Domino Bar loses liquor license

Despite the owner’s pledge to reopen by July 1, a once-popular Wausau bar remains shuttered and the tavern’s liquor license has expired, city officials confirmed last week.

That means two regular licenses, which are typically in high demand, are now available in Wausau.

The Domino Bar, 740 Washington St., did not submit required paperwork to continue holding a liquor license after its current license expired June 30, City Council President Lisa Rasmussen confirmed. The owner had a July 1 deadline to reopen the bar, which has been largely closed since November.

The Domino was sold last July to a new owner, Brett Milbradt, who performed extensive renovations at the establishment. The changes were not well received.

Milbradt ultimately placed the property up for sale but continued to hold a liquor license. Under the city’s abandonment ordinance, the liquor businesses must be open and stay open and use the license that they have been issued. Wausau Police attempted to reach the tavern on multiple occasions for compliance checks, but officers were unsuccessful in those attempts, city officials said.

On May 28, City Clerk Kaitlyn Bernarde sent a formal letter of concern to Milbradt via certified mail, on the Public Health and Safety Committee’s directive. The letter requested Milbradt attend a June 17 meeting to discuss the city’s concern and hear his plan of action. The letter advised that continued violations could result in non-renewal or revocation of The Domino Bar’s liquor license.

In June, Milbradt told committee members the bar is up for sale. He asked for 60 to 90 days to allow for a potential sale to go through. Committee members balked at that request, and Alder Rasmussen told Milbradt that licenses are not property and do not automatically transfer to a new owner. Online listings show the property is up for sale with a $580,000 asking price.

During the meeting, Milbradt blamed the bar’s failure on resistance from the prior owner’s family members and difficulty securing social media and Google business profiles. That, he said, led patrons to believe the business was permanently closed. He told the committee he could reopen if that was necessary to keep the license – and the committee members gave him until July 1 to do so.

Liquor licenses are at a premium in Wausau, with a limited number of slots available as per state law. As of Monday, the city now has two regular licenses available after The Pinery, a coffee shop, chose not to renew theirs, Rasmussen said.

On Monday, Wausau’s Liquor License Review Committee will consider a request to obtain one of the two available licenses. City documents show Night Tribe Hospitality, LLC, is applying for a license for Juliett Cocktails, 608 N. Third St. The owner of the new business is Jeffrey Dixon, according to Monday’s agenda.