New regulations limit K’s China music levels and liquor servings

K’s China, a Chinese restaurant and bar on the Hill, is dealing with new restrictions on their liquor license after a Sept. 19 hearing initiated by the Boulder Licensing Authority.

The conditions for K’s China liquor license renewal came after the license was temporarily suspended in June after the Authority heard verbal testimony in an open forum.

“The only way to get our liquor license back was if we dropped the lawsuit pending against them,” said Kyle McNamara, bar manager at K’s China.

The bar at K’s China on the Hill. The restaurant and bar’s liquor license has been restricted after a recent hearing.     (CU Independent/Gary Sheer)

K’s China had been in the process of suing the Boulder Licensing Authority for “closing us without violating any laws,” McNamara said.

The new regulations state that K’s China can no longer offer any drink specials outside of Happy Hour and drinks cannot have more than 80 proof of alcohol.

The Boulder Licensing Authority has also limited K’s China drink servings to two shots per customer, each shot consisting of 1.5 ounces of liquor. Groups of two or more customers may not be served more than three shots, which means that K’s signature drink, The Volcano, is temporarily off the menu.

“We’re coming up with something to replace The Volcano,” McNamara said. “It’ll come out within the next week.”

The stipulation from the Boulder Licensing Authority also mandated stricter measures with checking patrons’ identification.

Every K’s customer will now have to verify their I.D. by either providing a secondary form of identification or by having their I.D. scanned through an electronic scanner, a device that can quickly confirm the validity of the I.D. with computer processes. K’s may also use an ultraviolet light to verify the legitimacy of the I.D.

The rooftop patio at K’s China on the Hill. The restaurant and bar’s liquor license has been restricted after a recent hearing. (CU Independent/Gary Sheer)

The noise level from K’s patio bar is also being heavily regulated, after the Boulder Police Department received several noise complaints. Music must be kept to levels heard from a distance of less than 150 feet, below 60 dBA.

“I feel the rules are fair, if that’s what the other bars are doing,” said Bethany Fobare, a journalism graduate student.

The Sink’s general manager Ricardo Ramos said that his business has not had to deal with any regulations from the Boulder Liquor Authority. Other businesses on the Hill could not be reached for comment.

“At this point, we don’t anticipate any effect for The Sink,” Ramos said.

When asked if he thought the regulations will affect business at K’s China, McNamara said he’s hoping that business will remain steady and added that the changes will “take a little while to get through.”

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Gemma Solomons at [email protected]