New Orleans Mayor’s Office Finally Addresses Problem Plaguing the City

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Zony Mash Beer Project, the microbrewery and entertainment venue housed in a historic movie theater just off South Broad Street, takes its name from a Meters compilation album.

But having a music reference baked into its name didn’t prevent Zony Mash from running afoul of the city’s regulations on live music.

Owners of the venue, which has hosted outdoor performances in its beer garden since live music was first allowed during the pandemic, have canceled all remaining shows in July.

According to a spokesperson for Mayor LaToya Cantrell, Zony Mash has been operating in violation of a number of regulations.


The venue’s special event permit, press secretary LaTonya Norton said, was for an artist’s market, so “they were operating outside of the scope and hours of that permit with live entertainment shows well into the night.”

Zony Mash Beer Project brings eclectic brews, events to old New Orleans cinema
Zony Mash Beer Project brings eclectic brews, events to old New Orleans cinema
Additionally, Norton said, the venue didn’t have the required promoter’s license needed to charge a cover for live entertainment, displayed “several illegal signs,” had not finalized a conditional use permit, has outstanding taxes, and has not signed a lease for city property being used.

Zony Mash, Norton said, also was operating an illegal bar in a school bus and had an outdoor cooking facility that was a fire hazard, but those issues have been remediated.

City officials met with the venue’s owners and “went through their issues with them,” Norton said. “They have applied for the necessary sign permits and have filed their plans to finalize their conditional use (permit), but these documents are still being reviewed by the relevant departments and therefore the steps are not completed.


"Documents/applications are reviewed in the order they are received, and these are in the queue along with all other submissions.”

A message posted on Zony Mash's social media accounts on Monday read: “We have had ongoing issues with the city of New Orleans for our outdoor live music events. We are hoping to bring back the funk, groove and soul to the Zony Mash beer garden soon.”

Zony Mash co-owner Adam Ritter declined to comment on the situation beyond what was stated in the social media post.

Scrapped concerts include a weekly Tuesday night performance at Zony Mash by the Rebirth Brass Band, a planned Friday night tribute to Talking Heads by local band the Tanglers, and a Saturday appearance by guitarist, singer and songwriter Mia Borders.

Zony Mash will issue refunds for tickets already purchased to the July shows.


Meanwhile, the microbrewery itself, which often features food pop-ups, trivia nights and other activities, remains open to thirsty customers.

Zony Mash Beer Project first opened its doors in September 2019 in the former home of the Gem Theater, which was built as a movie theater for African Americans in 1951. After being shuttered for years, the building at 3940 Thalia St. was reborn as the Wayward Owl Brewing Co. Wayward Owl shut down in 2018, and Zony Mash moved in the following year.

Several social media posts offered support for Zony Mash's efforts to give musicians work during the pandemic.

"They’ve been AMAZING through the last year," read a message posted on the Twitter account of the local 1990s cover band Big in the ’90s. "Pivoting to provide a safe, distanced place for musicians, food trucks, keeping their staff working. They offered guarantees during a pandemic. They offered to repay our cost of (promotion) for our canceled gig. That’s hero-level."


The Music and Culture Coalition of New Orleans, a nonprofit that advocates on policies that affect local musicians and culture bearers, also expressed disappointment about the live music shutdown at Zony Mash.

"They were one of the businesses that really stepped up to provide opportunities for musicians during the pandemic," said a message on the organization's Twitter account. "Musicians and small businesses deserve better treatment than this."

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