Cheney bar becomes nightclub, signs agreement

By BECKY THOMAS

Staff Reporter

The Basement will soon be designated as a nightclub.

While the word “nightclub” may inspire thoughts of drugs, scantily clad dancers and general debauchery, the bar's management and the Cheney Police Department have ensured that little with change at the 315 First Street bar.

The Basement owner Jason Clerget said he lobbied the state Liquor Control Board for a nightclub license because the traditional “tavern” designation didn't work for his business. The Basement is known for late night, weekend dancing and cocktails and is frequented by Eastern Washington University students. Taverns are required to open at 6 p.m. every evening, and must serve hot meals until 11 p.m.

“We're just not that type of place,” Clerget said. To fulfill the requirements, Clerget opened the bar at 6 p.m., and “I would have to sit there for three or four hours waiting for people to show up.” They kept frozen dinners for sale to meet the meal requirement.

Clerget said the nightclub designation will allow him to open the bar later and focus on what the Basement customers want, music and quick bar service.

Clerget has been awarded the nightclub license, but he also signed a good neighbor agreement with the Cheney Police Department to guarantee he won't sway from the plans he gave in his application for the nightclub license.

Commander Rick Campbell said the department was notified that the Basement was applying for a nightclub license in late June. He said the department agreed with the stipulations in the application – reduced, later hours and declining the option to offer all-ages events – but they wanted to make them binding.

“All we wanted to do was make sure they abide by what they said they were going to do,” Campbell said.

Both Campbell and Clerget said the two entities have a good working relationship.

“It's not that we had concerns about current management, but if they sold the bar or the business, the new owner is not obligated to meet the requirements set forth in the liquor license,” Campbell said.

Once Clerget receives the new license, he said he plans to open the Basement later, around 8 p.m. and will likely be open Wednesday through Sunday.

Clerget said the changes would likely save him money and time, and he hoped the savings would allow him to continue improving the business.

“It was legally just a way for us to be able to run the business the way we want,” he said.

The good neighbor agreement will be renewed each time the bar renews its liquor license, Campbell said.

Becky Thomas can be reached at [email protected].