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Soak Chicago Cabarets

Sliding License Scale Up to $2,000 Voted

Source: Variety, 15 April 1921, pg. 9.

The high price for illicit liquor charged by cabaret owners and huge profits they are said to be making, caused the city council to impose a new set of license fees which, in those paid when highballs sold at 25 cents each. At present cabarets pay no license.

The new fee will be for 150 seating capacity, $150; 300 seating capacity, $750; 500 seating capacity, $1,000; 800 seating capacity, $1,250; 1,000 seating capacity, $1,500; 1,500 seating capacity, $2,000.

It is estimated that at present there are 450 cabarets in Chicago, and under the new ordinance this will dwindle down to about 100.

The ordinance does not provide for any closing hour, but Chief of Police Fitzmorris ruled that one o'clock was quitting time.




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Page authored: 9 April 2000 -
Copyright 2000 by Scott A. Newman
Source: Variety, 15 Apr 1921, 9.