Ex-strip club manager denied liquor license in Arlington Heights

The Arlington Heights village board denied a liquor license this week to a former strip club manager trying to open a sports bar and grill in town.

Petitioner Ilias Haritos sought a liquor license for Bottles and Barrels Sports Bar & Grill, which he is hoping to open at 1609 W. Campbell in the Westgate Shopping Center.

But officials denied the request because of questions about Haritos' background, holes in his business plan and concerns that the establishment would be more of a bar than a restaurant.

Haritos was a manager at Polekatz, a club in Bridgeview, for seven years and has a background in other food management positions. He said he left the gentleman's club industry because he felt bad for the women he was hiring and wanted to get away from the negative aspects of the business.

“There is nothing in his background that prevents him from having a liquor license,” said his attorney, Sam Amirante.

Haritos has state Beverage Alcohol Sellers and Servers Education and Training (BASSET) certification and has never had a liquor license violation or had a license revoked. He and Amirante told the village board that the restaurant would have a welcoming environment and be open to families.

“It's a nice family-type establishment. He's going to have a well-rounded menu in there. It will be like 'Cheers,' a good, wholesome idea,” Amirante said.

But trustees questioned that claim. According to the layout submitted, many of the tables would seat only two people, which trustees said would not attract families. There also were questions about the proposed floor plan changing after the license application first was submitted to the village.

“There are too many deficiencies in the entire application,” said Trustee Tom Glasgow. “I have to make sure there is a restaurant here, not a bar.”

Officials even took issue with the planned name of the restaurant, saying it focuses more on alcohol than food.

“'Bottles and Barrels' sounds like a bar. It doesn't say anything about the food you are going to have in there,” said Trustee Jim Tinaglia.

Trustees were concerned that Haritos did not submit a complete menu with food prices or enough options. In Arlington Heights, food must be made available during all hours where liquor is served, meaning technically the village does not have bars, only restaurants that serve liquor, officials said.

“We typically see a lot more than this,” Tinaglia said. “You have to operate a viable restaurant.”

A majority of the board voted to reject Haritos' application, with only Trustee Bert Rosenberg voted against denial.

“Everything the village asked me to do was done,” Haritos said. “I'm not cutting corners anywhere. I want to make a living and support my family.”

The liquor license denial does not stop Haritos from opening his restaurant, village staff said, and he can reapply for a liquor license with a more complete menu and business plan at any time.

“It's not a right to have a liquor license in the community, it's a complete privilege,” Tinaglia said.