Restaurant Fights to Keep Its Music Alive

A Prince George’s County restaurant owner is pushing back against new county rules that threaten to silence live music at her spot. La’Caj, a Latin and Cajun fusion eatery, has hosted small live performances on its patio for nearly three years, drawing crowds without complaints. But now, after a landlord dispute over outdoor gatherings, the county’s Liquor Board has suddenly banned patio entertainment altogether—even though the restaurant holds a proper license. The owner, Monique Rose Sneed, says the move ignores real community benefits and punishes a place that’s been part of the neighborhood since 2016.The drama started when a landlord claimed the restaurant violated its lease by allowing patrons to gather outside. Though Sneed argued these weren’t her customers, the landlord’s legal threat led to police involvement. Then, out of nowhere, the Liquor Board cited vague rules to strip the restaurant of its outdoor music rights. Sneed argues the restriction makes no sense—her live shows are rare (just every other Thursday for two hours) and never caused trouble. Banning them now, she says, is like taking 60 seats away from her business. She’s now asking for clear rules, not special treatment. The county’s Rule 75 is so unclear that even officials can’t explain why La’Caj is suddenly out of compliance. Sneed just wants a fair conversation—not to bend the rules, but to understand them. Meanwhile, locals have rallied behind her, signing petitions to save the music that made La’Caj a neighborhood hub.