Since 2003, the 16,000-square-foot hot spot on E. Lake Street has booked big-time Latino pop and country acts that attract a bustling Mexican cowboy crowd. But lately, it's been fighting for its survival as Minneapolis officials seek to shut it down.

In 2008, the city began investigating El Nuevo Rodeo for a pattern of offenses, said Ricardo Cervantes, deputy director of licenses. Its findings -- including liquor violations and security issues -- eventually pointed to a proposed liquor license revocation.

"We want businesses to be successful, but not at the cost of putting anybody else at risk," Cervantes said this week.

Responding to the city's concerns, owner Maya Santamaria beefed up security, installing thousands of dollars' worth of video cameras. Still, the city moved forward with the revocation, citing new problems. Santamaria contested, landing the case before an administrative law judge in late January.

The judge heard testimony from various parties, including the club's paid off-duty cops, who said El Nuevo Rodeo generates fewer police reports than downtown clubs do. Neighborhood and business groups backed the club as a positive cultural force in the community. The judge sided with Santamaria, saying the city didn't provide sufficient evidence for revocation (however, he approved several minor actions).

"I feel like justice was served," Santamaria said. "I was pleasantly surprised. I thought, 'Thank God, he got it.'"

Santamaria said she is still baffled by the city's initial push to shutter her establishment. "For one thing, I think there is a lot of anti-Hispanic sentiment, whether people like to admit it or not," she said.

On April 19, a City Council subcommittee agreed with the judge's findings, moving its recommendations along for full council approval Friday.

This weekend, El Nuevo Rodeo will get a chance to show off its reputation as a positive cultural magnet when it hosts its second annual Cinco de Mayo block party, which attracted more than 4,000 people last year. The two stages (one indoor and one on the street) will feature a lineup of Mexican bands, including national headliners Huichol Musical and La Autoridad de la Sierra.

"This is a really good opportunity to come and see what we do at the Rodeo," Santamaria said.

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But before Sunday's event, the City Council will decide the club's long-term future. It has the right to reject or modify the judge's findings.

Both sides said they expect El Nuevo Rodeo to stay open.

Follow the brewmaster Fans of the acclaimed Wisconsin brewery Furthermore are in for a treat next week. On Monday at Vine Park Brewery, sign up for a day of beermaking with Furthermore brewmaster Aran Madden. Teams of four will brew a batch of beer using recipes provided by Madden. Each person will walk away with 18 22-ounce bottles of their brand-new brew. The ticket price includes lunch, a Furthermore pint glass and a beer tasting.

On Tuesday, the Furthermore team will move to the Happy Gnome for a beer dinner. The bar will match its kitchen's creations with the brewery's boutique beers.

Vine Park: 11 a.m. Mon. 1254 W. 7th St., St, Paul. $53. 651-228-1355. www.vinepark.com.

Happy Gnome: 6 p.m. Tue. 498 Selby Av., St. Paul. $85. 651-287-2018. www.thehappygnome.com.

The sound designers If you're looking for a little more funk in your electronic blip-blip music, check out this show at the Loft above Bar-Fly. On Friday, Twin Cities Dubstep is bringing in Alex B (of Pnuma Trio), who just released a new album, "Moments." He's joined by Minnesota-bred, Brooklyn-based Mux Mool. The pair blur the lines between electronic and hip-hop music, often matching dusty drums with dizzying synth samples.

9 p.m. Fri. 711 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. $10-15. 18 and older. 613-333-6100. www.twincitiesdubstep.com.

Chef leaves Subo After only five months in operation, the head chef (and co-owner) at Subo is leaving the buzz-worthy restaurant/bar. Neil Guillen moved here with New York credentials and a great idea for Filipino small plates. But apparently there has been some disagreement over where the business is heading. Well known businessman Jim Hays is Subo's majority owner. "We just weren't seeing eye-to-eye," Guillen said. Sous chef Geoff King has moved into the lead role. Kieran Folliard and his Cara Irish Pubs hold a minority stake in the downtown spot. While a fan of Guillen's, Folliard agreed there were "philosophical differences." Hopefully the pork candy isn't going anywhere.

Tom Horgen • 612-673-7909

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