photo by: Marit Ehmke

This Journal-World file photo shows the interior of John Brown's Underground, 7 E. Seventh St.

The speakeasy-style bar and restaurant John Brown’s Underground can now reopen after the Lawrence City Commission granted it a temporary drinking establishment license Tuesday.

John Brown’s Underground was denied a drinking license July 1 for not selling enough food to meet city requirements for one. Lawrence law requires 55 percent of sales to come from food in order for a venue to hold a license.

City Clerk Sherri Riedemann said when applying for a license renewal, John Brown’s Underground reported about 30 percent of its sales were from food. More recently, the venue had reached 44 percent food sales, said its attorney, Patrick Watkins.

The City Commission voted unanimously to approve a temporary, six-month license, putting the venue on “probation.” At the end of the six months, commissioners will decide whether to strip John Brown’s Underground of the license or grant a permanent one.

Watkins said owners had been taking steps to increase food sales, including undertaking a $40,000 expansion of the second-floor kitchen. The project is expected to be complete by the end of August.

“It will expand the kitchen about fourfold,” Watkins said. “They’ll be able to operate at a much higher capacity. They’re looking forward to reopening and meeting the city’s requirements, and we’re confident they’ll be able to do so.”

Owners are also hiring more kitchen and wait staff, extending hours of operation to include full-service lunch and organizing special events.

“I hope it all works out,” Mayor Mike Amyx said.

The 55-percent law was implemented in 1993, and at the time, existing Lawrence bars and restaurants were “grandfathered” in and not required to met the sales rule.