Madison’s Alcohol License Review Committee questioned the owner of local bars Segredo and Johnny O’s over his request to have a specialized 18-and-over license for special events at a Wednesday meeting, but decided to postpone the decision until at least June.

Jon Okonek, who previously operated Madison Avenue before converting it to what is now Segredo, told the committee he wants a performing arts license that will allow him to host special groups such as banquets and year-end celebrations.

Okonek said his current license prevents him from hosting student groups whose celebrations include DJs and bands. He said Johnny O’s is an easier location to control than Segredo or Madison Avenue and added he will only allow the special reservations to hold their events at non-peak times.

“Johnny O’s is exponentially easier to handle; it’s much smaller, much more open — it’s easier to manage that type of crowd inherently,” Okonek said. “It’s not a dance club.”

Lt. Kristen Roman of the Madison Police Department told the committee she had mixed feelings about Okonek’s request based on his history with alcohol problems at Madison Avenue.

“Based on experiences with his businesses, I can certainly sit here and express some significant concerns that we would have with this specific request for the 18-plus license,” Roman told the committee.

Roman added recent positive experiences with Okonek’s new venture at Segredo are promising, but the committee should take more time to let Okonek prove he has improved his underage management policies.

Okonek cited the University of Wisconsin’s club volleyball program and sororities as examples of organizations that might hold the types of events that require the specialized license. He said he is willing to be in constant communication with MPD to avoid underage drinking problems.

Members of the committee said they will be able to make a better decision after Segredo has had more time to prove itself for Okonek.

The committee also approved a 21-and-over license for Quaker Steak and Lube, a sports bar chain restaurant, which will replace the current Pizzeria Uno on the corner of State and West Gorham streets.

ALRC member and UW student Mark Woulf said the ALRC approved Quaker Steak and Lube’s license request so quickly because of its previous problems landing a license for a proposed Johnson Street location.

Woulf also said the criminal tax evasion records of Jongyean and Hyungirl Lee, owners of Brickhouse BBQ and Riley’s Wines of the World, are being considered in the city attorney’s office and will come before the committee at a later ALRC meeting for discussion of their liquor licenses.

Recently appointed Associated Students of Madison student technical adviser Austin Buerosse was also present at the meeting. Buerosse is currently training for his position and will not be an official member of the ALRC until its next meeting in March, which is when he will be allowed to comment on issues before the committee.