Bar Bar Finally Has Live Music Again, Adds Monthly Drag Shows

“I’m better than I’ve been in about a year,” laughs Richard Granville, a bartender over at Carioca Cafe, the beloved dive bar at 2060 Champa Street known simply as Bar Bar. He has a lot to be happy about: On Thursday, May 4, the city granted Bar Bar its cabaret license, and the venue will not only be hosting live music again — it’ll also be adding monthly drag shows to its bill.

Bar Bar had never had a cabaret license, despite hosting live music for years. But last summer, an undercover cop was allowed entry with an under-21 I.D., and was also allowed to purchase alcohol. That led to an investigation, with Bar Bar ultimately reaching a settlement with the city and closing for fourteen days; when it reopened, there was no live music.

Bar Bar then applied for a legal license.

Once he…