Open Mic Night at Internet Café and Deli Approved as Borough-Sanctioned Event

With an appeal of a noise citation still reverberating in the background, Nazareth Borough Council nonetheless granted the on S. Broad Street permission to hold open mic nights. 

According to a , an event sanctioned by the borough will not face penalties associated with noise complaints.

Council members unanimously – and without debate – approved the mic nights as an ongoing sanctioned event.  Owner Steve Nikles, who was not in attendance at tonight’s meeting, may hold open mic nights from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on, in council’s wording, “Fridays and/or Saturdays.”

Councilman Larry Stoudt had the only comment among the nine council members.

“I hope he has a successful venture with [the open mic nights], but I’d like to see the original request, which I thought was once a month.”

According to borough resident Steve Brown, a friend of Nikles who frequents the business, eight open mic nights will not be held each month.

“It’s all dependent on talent,” Brown said after the meeting.  “He’s not holding karaoke; he is holding an open mic night, which is dependent on talent and on a person to hold a show.”

Brown told council members that Nikles plans to purchase the same decibel meter the police department plans to purchase so he can also monitor the noise level coming from his business. 

In addition to Brown, two other borough residents spoke out in support of the business.

“I live half a block from [the Internet Café and Deli] and I have no complaints,” Becky Butz said.  “Yes, you do hear the noise, but it is most tolerable.  I often sit on my porch and listen.”

After citing several annual events, such as the Block Party and Road Rally, Butz believes it all comes down to being a good neighbor.

“The Block Party generates a lot of noise, bands in the circle sound like they’re in my back yard some times,” she said.  “I try to be a good neighbor.  These things happen whether they’re scheduled activities or private activities.  I think we should all be good neighbors and I think you should take that into consideration tonight.”

Paul Sarkis has attended past open mic nights at the 6 S. Broad St. business.

“I’ve gone to quite a few of these sessions with my wife and my son and it’s a great evening of fun,” he said.  “It’s over by 10 p.m. and then everyone’s home and in bed.  [The open mic night] is not in violation of anything other than of being a great time.”