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Framingham’s Café Belo had entertainment license suspended in July. What’s next

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Framingham’s Café Belo had entertainment license suspended in July. What’s next

FRAMINGHAM — Despite a previous violation earlier this year, a Brazilian barbecue restaurant has been granted a new entertainment license by the city’s licensing commissioners.

On Monday, the Framingham Board of Licensing Commissioners voted 3-0, with two abstentions, to approve an amended entertainment license for Café Belo. The new license includes allowance for live music bands, a DJ, karaoke and stand-up comedy — but no dancing.

Previously, the restaurant’s entertainment license allowed for a DJ with a keyboard only and acoustic music.

Commissioners Shannon McCullough and Laura Medrano abstained from the vote, with the other three commissioners — Chair Stuart Pologe, Clerk Joseph Sturniolo and Alycia DeAngelis — approving the change.

Earlier: Framingham restaurant hit with suspensions, found to be operating as a nightclub

During Monday’s meeting, commissioners raised concerns about Café Belo’s previous violation, which occurred in March, of its entertainment license. In July, the board voted 4-1 (with DeAngelis opposed) to temporarily suspend the restaurant’s liquor and entertainment licenses.

Specifically, members on Monday questioned how dancing won’t happen, given that the restaurant hosts weddings and special events.

“What’s a wedding without dancing?” Sturniolo asked. McCullough also questioned that if dancing is not allowed, why are tables pushed around a rectangular open space in the meeting room.

Café Belo manager and owner Louis Hildo Costa assured the board that he would not allow nightclub conditions, including dancing, to take place. He said he would hire private security on nights when large crowds are expected.

Framingham licensing board approves new entertainment license

The licensing board approved an updated entertainment license, although it’s set to expire on Dec. 31.

Café Belo, which opened in early 2023, is at 2 Beacon St., which formerly housed Angry Ham’s Garage Bar & Grill and Beacon Street Bar & Grill, the former of which was featured on the reality television show “Bar Rescue” back in 2011.

Café Belo approved: Former Angry Ham’s to get Brazilian barbecue restaurant

The restaurant also shares a name with a chain of Brazilian steakhouses that had a location in Framingham at 417 Waverly St. All have closed, and it’s unclear whether the previous Café Belo chain and the current Framingham restaurant are affiliated.

The previous Café Belo in Framingham, which was managed by Hildo DaCosta, also had problems with its liquor license. Framingham selectmen unanimously voted to suspended the liquor license for the previous Café Belo for 17 days in 2009, after unpaid taxes foiled a liquor license transfer to the establishment’s new owners.

Café Belo is an authentic Brazilian steakhouse serving 10 types of slow-roasted skewers of meat. The restaurant also offers soups, fruit juices and a buffet, and boasts a full bar and wines.

Café Belo is open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

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