Dear Neighbor:

We need to take action. Vesuvio is working with lawyers to get the licenses it needs to become a dance club (after being shut down this summer for doing so without the necessary permits). Mama Yolanda's has started to go after the same noisy, late-night crowd. If we don't stop it now, others will likely follow.

We've put up with these problems for too long! Police have been called numerous times to respond to fighting, vandalism and excessive noise. It is a waste of resources and is ruining our quality of life in Bella Vista.

If you are concerned about the increased noise, traffic and potential vandalism to Cianfrani Park and the neighborhood, please send the letter below to our elected representatives. Forward this email to your neighbors and friends.

Act today, before it's too late!



(You can enter your own comments below the letter.)

Dear Senator Farnese, Councilman DiCicco and Representative Josephs:

Please do everything in your power to stop the spread of nuisance bars in Bella Vista.  This is particularly a problem on 8th Street.  Bella Vista is a residential community that welcomes family and upscale restaurants. It is no place for loud, noisy bars or late-night dance clubs. Specifically, I request that you:

  • Prevent Vesuvio and similar establishments from getting a cabaret, special assembly or nightclub license.
  • Repeal Vesuvio's outdoor cafe permit as promised: "If, at anytime, these provisos are not followed, we would repeal the legislation that would allow the cafe," Councilman DiCicco, October 2004.  Vesuvio has repeatedly violated a number of the provisos, including: 
    • Designated outdoor seating hours (specified to end at 9:30 weekdays; 10:30 Fri. and Sat.)
    • Restricted use of outdoor seating (specified to be for dinner customers only; not for people who are just drinking)
    • Prohibitions against blocking the sidewalk with promotional material

(Vesuvio never actually had the votes to open the cafe in the first place. 31% opposed it and many neighbors never received ballots.  The legislation was not supposed to be introduced if 30% or more opposed it.)   

  • Revoke Vesuvio's license allowing live entertainment and disc jockeys due to
    • Repeated violations of the September 2000 agreement with Bella Vista Town Watch specifying that "Neither live entertainment nor music played by disc jockey shall be permitted after midnight."
    • Misuse of the permit. 
      • According to Dominic Verdi, L&I deputy commissioner: "... they've basically taken the second floor and made it a wide open space for entertainment.  The permit only allows entertainment for up to 25 percent of the place." 
      • A local newspaper stated: "While a Special Assembly license is required when a corner bar with a lawful occupancy of more than 50 has a disc jockey, stage, dance floor or performers, Vesuvio regularly hosted events with DJs that attracted up to 400 people."
  • Demand that Vesuvio remove alcohol-related signage - this was one of many issues cited in a February 2005 letter from the Bella Vista United Civic Association; the letter was prompted by a physical altercation by Vesuvio patrons that included violence and weapons.  The liquor and drink special ads have since increased.
  • Help get Vesuvio's liquor license revoked for repeated offenses and quality of life infringements,  including:
    • Being found in violation of Section 493 of the Liquor Code for serving alcohol to a minor in March 2006.
    • Being shut down by the Department of Licenses and Inspections in July 2009 for underage drinking, a fire code violation, and misuse of the second floor.
    • Violating smoking ordinances by allowing smoking in doorways and the outdoor cafe area.
    • Not monitoring activity on its sidewalk; allowing excessive noise and patrons to carry alcoholic beverages outside.
    • Keeping the door to the bar open, so that the noise and music spills into the street.
    • Encouraging patrons to use Cianfrani Park for smoking, parking (dozens of) bicycles and loud, after-hours socializing, resulting in vandalism and destruction of park property.

A news article quoted co-owner Michael D'Addesi promoting the launch of "Hotties for Happy Hours" every Wednesday.  This is exactly what they assured us wouldn't happen when they were promising a "fine, white tablecloth, neighborhood restaurant." 

There are plenty of vacancies in entertainment districts like Delaware Avenue.  Dance clubs and loud, late-night bars don't belong in residential neighborhoods.  Thank you in advance for helping protect (get back!) our quality of life in Bella Vista. 


* Required field