Bulldog Ale House Moving Into Former Bennigan's Location in St. Charles

A new tavern is looking to take over the former St. Charles Bennigan’s location on East Main Street.

Bulldog Ale House, a tavern with locations in Carol Stream and Roselle, has applied for a city liquor license and plans to open a new establishment at the former Bennigan's building. The B3 license applied for allows for alcohol to be served at a tavern or restaurant.

St. Charles'  approved the request Monday night in a 7-2 vote. The license application will still need to come before the full City Council at a future meeting before it would get final approval.

The former Bennigan's building, located at 3615 E. Main St. in St. Charles' east side business corridor, has had once occupant since 2008. In July of that year, the Irish-themed chain restaurant headquartered in Texas closed all 150 of its nationwide restaurants. Since then, a barbecue restaurant moved into that location but closed soon after it opened.

A background check, done routinely for liquor license applications, was conducted on the Bulldog Ale House applicant and approved by St. Charles Police Department.

St. Charles Mayor Don DeWitte said he had spoken with fellow mayor of Carol Stream Frank Saverino, who frequents the Bulldog location there.

"I understand that they have a very lively, family-oriented, sports-oriented establishment," DeWitte said.

Earlier this month, the City Council approved a liquor license for  scrutinized by alderman over various issues—including a request to remove the word "bar" in the business' name.

, has written about plans to consider changes in the liquor "to better differentiate restaurants from taverns/bars."