Saint Paul Cuts Midway Liquor License Proposal
The city council now targets a three-license cap for the district, potentially limiting expansion for area operators.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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The Saint Paul City Council has reduced a proposed liquor licensing cap for a new Commercial Development District in Midway to three permits. This legislative change, which follows community feedback, will now head to a final council vote next week.
Why it matters
The revision marks a win for local neighborhood groups and the Midway Chamber of Commerce, who argued the initial proposal for seven licenses lacked sufficient transparency. Operators in the area should monitor this tighter capacity limit as it shapes the competitive landscape around the Snelling and University avenues intersection.
The revised plan limits the Midway district to 3 liquor licenses, down from the 7 originally proposed. This cap applies to the four-quadrant district centered at Snelling and University avenues, which extends three to seven blocks outward.
The players
Saint Paul City Council
The municipal legislative body responsible for city code amendments, zoning, and liquor licensing approvals.
Midway Chamber of Commerce
A business advocacy organization representing commercial interests in the Midway district.
Dilla Sports Bar and Ethiopian Restaurant
A local dining and entertainment venue currently operating within the proposed district boundaries.
The details
The proposal amends the city's legislative code to formalize the Commercial Development District, intended to concentrate commercial activity. The current plan effectively locks in three pre-existing bars—the Turf Club, the Midway Saloon, and Dilla Sports Bar and Ethiopian Restaurant—while limiting future growth. Dilla Sports Bar and Ethiopian Restaurant has specifically requested an license expansion to allow for 2 a.m. weekend closings, a move now tied to the broader district designation.
Timeline
October 21, 2026: Council members announced plans for the pared-down district.
October 26-31, 2026: The City Council is scheduled to vote on the final proposal.
Market Landscape
The proposal follows the standard framework for a Saint Paul Commercial Development District designation to manage density and permit distribution in urban corridors. This shift reflects a move to limit market saturation in the Midway neighborhood compared to the city's broader commercial expansion goals.
Operators in the Midway district should note that the licensing cap is now set at three, potentially creating a barrier to entry for new venues. Monitor next week's council vote to see if the proposed district boundaries remain fixed at three to seven blocks from the intersection.
The takeaway
The move demonstrates the power of local coalition-building to alter municipal zoning and licensing outcomes. Owners should track the upcoming vote and specifically monitor whether the 2 a.m. closing request for Dilla Sports Bar and Ethiopian Restaurant is approved within the new district rules.
Further reading
For more on local regulatory changes, see Saint Paul Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Twin Cities.
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