GREENVILLE, S.C. — After months of debate over downtown nightlife and public safety, the City of Greenville has voted to restore late-night hours for one of its oldest bars. The Gaslight Bar and Grill, a community staple for more than 70 years, will once again be allowed to stay open until 2 a.m. on weekends — though the permit comes with strict conditions.
Historic Bar Wins Back Its Midnight Privileges
Owner Nathan Bennett said he was overwhelmed with emotion when the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) approved the bar’s request Thursday. “I almost started crying when I was inside,” Bennett told FOX Carolina. “It’s the number one question I get asked because Gaslight has been here since 1952 — 73 years.”
When Bennett took over the bar earlier this year, he had to reapply for the city’s special exception permit to continue serving after midnight. His application arrived just as Greenville was tightening oversight of bars following a summer filled with downtown fights and disturbances.
City Officials Weigh Safety Against Nightlife
In response to the uptick in late-night incidents, Greenville formed a multi-department task force to review all 100+ existing special permits and to assess future requests.
Though the Gaslight Bar lies outside the Central Business District, planning staff initially recommended denying the request…