{"id":252997,"date":"2026-04-16T18:33:07","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T18:33:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/252997\/"},"modified":"2026-04-16T18:33:07","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T18:33:07","slug":"ladylove-lounge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/252997\/","title":{"rendered":"LadyLove Lounge"},"content":{"rendered":"

Beloved Bishop Arts bar LadyLove Lounge and Sound<\/a> is on its own frequency. The \u201970s-inspired space is a listening lounge, a mecca for music lovers and, later in the evening, a popular spot for dancing. Doechii<\/a> and Janet Jackson <\/a>have paid visits. The only complaint here is from those who can\u2019t get in when the space is at capacity. But that\u2019s a problem the owners are trying to solve.<\/p>\n

Recently, co-owners David Grover and Kate Siamro broke their silence online<\/a> about their struggle to increase occupancy numbers and repeated visits from the fire marshal.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s just total extra enforcement,\u201d Grover says. \u201cWe got people who are just dancing, having fun, and then all of a sudden we have police officers busting into our place \u2026 counting people and still getting the count wrong, even when we counted twice.\u201d<\/p>\n

LadyLove\u2019s occupancy limit is set at 93. Long lines that snake into the nearby alleys indicate higher demand.<\/p>\n

The owners\u2019 quest to raise the occupancy has not been easy. The problems started with the city of Dallas\u2019 new\u00a0Nighttime Economy and Responsible Hospitality (NTE) Division, an initiative created to strengthen nightlife, cultural economy and global event readiness.<\/p>\n

Around the time this division was created, Bishop Arts saw an influx of visits from the Dallas Fire Marshal\u2019s Office. Their presence was so heavy (and feared) that businesses began notifying one another when they appeared in the neighborhood. LadyLove received multiple citations, each carrying a penalty of up to $2,000.<\/p>\n

\u201cGoing past our limit made us realize that we need to up our occupancy, legally. We want to be good legally,\u201d Siamro says. \u201cWe\u2019re losing money two ways; we\u2019re losing money at the bar because there aren\u2019t enough people in the space, but also, we\u2019re really screwed when we get fined. It really messes up the night; it messes up everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Empty Conversations<\/p>\n

\"TheClose your eyes and imagine it packed. Or go early for a great dinner and enjoy the vibe. <\/p>\n

Photo by Lauren Drewes Daniels<\/p>\n

Siamro and Grover feel unsupported by the city in their efforts to increase occupancy. They\u2019ve been led through various hoops and empty conversations. Grover has been to the inspections department at the Oak Cliff Municipal Center about 50 times in the past six months.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201dEvery time we try to raise the flag or something, everyone comes running like, \u2018Oh, we can help you,\u2019 and then I get a few phone calls, and it seems like things are going good, and then all of a sudden, we get looped into this whole thing again, it\u2019s very frustrating,\u201d Grover says.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The first step is to install additional fire protection systems, such as sprinklers, which the duo is happy to do. But they still lack clear answers on how much that would increase occupancy.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt just feels like I should be able to go to the city, look at the plan that was professionally drawn, and tell me how many people I get. That\u2019s all I want to know before I invest hundreds of thousands of dollars into a sprinkler system,\u201d Grover says.\u00a0\u201cWe\u2019re just looking for some relief and some help for small businesses in Dallas.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018People Get Scared to Talk About It\u2019<\/p>\n

Siamro and Grover decided it was time to be transparent about their struggle because it affects patrons as well. <\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like it\u2019s kind of a weird faux pas with a lot of bars to talk about it,\u201d Siamro says. \u201cI don\u2019t know if it\u2019s like a manifestation thing, but I feel like a lot of people get scared to talk about it because they don\u2019t want to make it worse. I feel brave enough to say something because we are trying our best to get it fixed.\u201d<\/p>\n

LadyLove isn\u2019t the only small business to experience issues with the city recently. In late 2025, Reveler\u2019s Hall was ordered<\/a> by the Night Entertainment Team to stop charging a door cover fee, which went directly to the musicians.<\/p>\n

Other small businesses in the area have reached out to LadyLove\u2019s since their social media post<\/a>. Some express similar issues they\u2019ve been dealing with, making Ladylove\u2019s perceived isolation feel less lonely. Thankfully, feedback to the initial post has been overwhelmingly positive.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was going through the comments, I was getting really emotional and even just people writing and saying it\u2019s worth the wait, like the fact that someone thinks it\u2019s worth the wait to our space is something that just hits me heavy,\u201d Siamro says.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Their goal is not to fight the city or ruffle feathers, but to create a partnership and do things openly and honestly. At the end of the day, they only want their space to continue to grow and positively impact the community.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t even do this for the money; if we did this for money, we\u2019d be gone,\u201d Grover says. \u201cWe do it because we love the culture, and we love Oak Cliff, and we love Dallas. We literally love our place, and we just want to see the music and the culture thrive.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Observer emailed Dallas\u2019 Planning and Development Department for a response to Siamro and Grover\u2019s complaints and got this reply:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe City works with businesses to help them understand what is required to safely increase occupant load. The process is straightforward, but it must follow established building and fire code requirements.
\u00a0
\u201cCity staff have been in regular communication with the business and have provided consultation, guidance, and direction on the steps needed to move forward.
\u00a0
\u201cA business may request a consultation with staff to discuss a proposed increase and receive general guidance. However, the official occupant load is determined only after a building permit application is submitted and plans are reviewed.
\u00a0
\u201cWhen a project involves changes to the building, such as modifications to layout, exits, restrooms, or operational use, those changes must be reviewed for compliance with building, fire, plumbing, electrical, health, and zoning regulations. In some cases, life safety systems such as fire sprinklers may be required depending on the final occupant load and configuration.
\u00a0
\u201cAs part of this process, any prior or ongoing work that was not previously reviewed through a permit must be evaluated to ensure the space meets current safety standards.
\u00a0
\u201cThe City remains available to assist applicants through consultation and plan review to help them move forward as efficiently as possible while ensuring compliance with applicable codes.\u201d<\/p>\n

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