The commission approved an annual beer-and-wine on-premises license for Blackbird at 27 Pleasant Street and voted to hold a February 18 lottery to reissue two all-alcohol licenses.
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What this means
Blackbird can proceed with its planned music venue, which will serve beer and wine and emphasize mocktails, although its opening is still about 3 to 4 weeks away. The commission also approved licenses for a claw machine at Mala Pot & Grill, Friendly’s in Florence, and several short-term events. Eligible existing Northampton wine-and-malt license holders may enter the February 18 lottery for the two available all-alcohol licenses.
Key decisions
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Approved a new automatic amusement device license for one claw machine at Mala Pot & Grill, 271 Main Street, by a 2-0 vote.
Approved a fee waiver and short-term wine-and-malt license for Northampton Center for the Arts’ Queer Prom on February 13, 2026, by a 2-0 vote.
Approved short-term wine-and-malt licenses for three events at Quonk on January 31, February 14, and February 21, 2026, by a 2-0 vote.
Rescinded Quonk’s previously approved short-term liquor license for the January 17, 2026, dance party by a 2-0 vote.
Approved a common victualler license for Friendly’s at 54-56 Main Street in Florence by a 2-0 vote.
Approved an annual general-on-premises wine-and-malt license for Blackbird at 27 Pleasant Street by a 2-0 vote.
Voted to hold a February 18, 2026, lottery for reissuing two all-alcohol on-premises licenses to eligible existing Northampton wine-and-malt license holders, by a 2-0 vote.
Approved the January 7, 2026, meeting minutes; the November 19 and December 17, 2025, minutes were deferred to the February meeting.
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