Old Pasadena Beer Hall, On Best Behavior Since Earlier Complaints, Faces Hearing Officer Review Wednesday

Pasadena’s Hearing Officer is conducting a six-month review of a Modification of Conditional Use Permit for Der Wolfskopf, a German-themed beer hall in Old Pasadena, through a public hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 7, starting at 5:30 p.m. 

The meeting will be online and is open to the public. 

Modification of Conditional Use Permit #2726 was issued to the business on March 2. The six-month review is intended to assess the operating conditions of the approved entitlement and the business operator’s compliance with approved conditions. One of the conditions is requiring a public hearing before the Hearing Officer at six- and 12- months from the approval date. 

At the public hearing, the Department of Planning and Community Development will provide details of the conditions imposed as part of the approval six months ago and report on whether the conditions of approval have been met. The report will identify key operational conditions and include discussion on how the conditions have been addressed since the approval in March. 

Following Wednesday’s public hearing, the Hearing Officer is expected to make a determination on whether the business has complied or not with these conditions. 

The facility’s Conditional Use Permit #2726, obtained by the prior operator, McMurphy’s Restaurant and Tavern, in August 1993, allows the sale of alcoholic beverages, live entertainment, and commercial entertainment in conjunction with the operation of a restaurant use. 

It was later modified by the Board of Zoning Appeals in September 2001 and March 2002 due to violations of the conditions of approval and problems related to alcohol sales.

Last year, the City moved to have the CUP revoked after several more complaints and findings by the Pasadena Police Department mostly related to noise, alcohol consumption beyond the approved operating hours, and other unpermitted activities. 

An appeal by the business led to the Hearing Officer approving changes to the CUP last March so the establishment could continue operations. 

Members of the community can participate in the public hearing on Wednesday by accessing Zoom through https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87210340147. They can also call (669) 900-6833 and use the webinar ID 872 1034 0147. 

Public comments may be sent in advance by email to htam@cityofpasadena.net. 

Live comments via Zoom will also be allowed during the public hearing.