By Jonathan Friedman
Associate Editor

September 16, 2014 -- Liquor, beer and wine will play major roles at the next Santa Monica Planning Commission meeting. No, there will not be any drinking on the dais this Wednesday evening, but requests for alcohol service rights are featured in every item on the agenda.

First on the agenda is final approval for a conditional-use permit to serve beer and wine at a new Starbucks on Ocean Avenue as part of the coffee chain’s new Starbucks Evenings program.

The commission approved the permit in concept at its previous meeting (“Selling of Alcohol Approved for Santa Monica Starbucks,” August 29, 2014) with some specific requirements added.

The planning panel is also expected to finalize the approval for liquor service at Callahan’s Restaurant on Wilshire Boulevard.

Coming before the commission for the first time is New York-based “gourmet burger” operator Bareburger, which plans to open a restaurant at the former Omelette Parlor location on Main Street.

No exterior changes are planned for the building except for “minor modifications” to the outdoor patio, according to the staff report.

Bareburger plans for an 89-seat restaurant that would be open Sunday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Beer, wine and distilled spirits would be available during all business hours.

The Georgian Hotel on Ocean Avenue is asking for a modification to its conditional-use permit to expand the number of seats. The hotel has been able to serve food and alcohol to guests since 1994, and to the general public since 2008.

Among the requests by the Georgian are to increase the number of seats in the main eating and drinking area from 50 to 63 and to allow restaurant service in the basement area that includes 81 seats and is currently only open to hotel guests.

Also requesting a conditional-use permit to serve alcohol is ChocoChicken, which is opening a new restaurant at the corner of Ocean Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard.

The restaurant, which has a location in Downtown Los Angeles, offers the unique item of chocolate-covered chicken.

The restaurant would be open Sunday through Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Beer, wine and distilled spirits would be offered during all these hours.