City Official Criticizes Darien Bar Owner

DARIEN, IL – A Darien alderman on Monday became the first city official to publicly criticize a Darien bar owner's handling of the controversy over an upcoming performer.

Bob Taft, owner of Darien's Q Bar, has taken heat for scheduling former Misfits frontman Michale Graves, whose performance is set for Wednesday night.

Graves is connected to the Proud Boys, which a civil rights organization has labeled a hate group. And Graves has testified on behalf of Proud Boys members in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.

At Monday's City Council meeting, Alderman Gerry Leganski said he earlier took Taft at his word that he did not have the time to vet every musician.

But Leganski noted the Patch story that reported Taft's Facebook comment last week that he may hold another Graves performance in the summer. Taft said that was because he had one of the top days in his bar since it opened 24 years ago

"Thanks for the free publicity and keep it up!" he wrote to critics.

Leganski, who acknowledged Taft's right to hold the performance, said the owner should be more professional and that he should think more before he posts comments.

Patch also reported that Taft supported a Facebook comment from a backer who suggested the bar owner start "digging a few holes just in case" protesters show up.

Leganski said, "You start to see articles about 'digging holes' and things like that. It's crossing the line."

As for the Jan. 6 riot, Leganski said it was a "rough day for our country."

"I'm not going to get into the details, but it also affected me personally," Leganski said.

No other city officials joined in Leganski's criticism of Taft.

Some residents have questioned Taft's links to city government. Until recently, he was a member of the city's economic development committee. And he now belongs to the city's advisory group for the newly formed Darien Business Alliance.

In October 2023, Taft messaged former Darien Alderman Tom Chlystek, calling him a "f– loser" and the alderman's wife a "pig." And Taft bragged that he made a lot more money than Chlystek. The men disagreed over video gambling. (Leganski defeated Chlystek in the April 2023 election.)

Throughout, Mayor Joseph Marchese has stood by Taft. He said the city looks at Taft for what he contributes to the community, not what he publishes on social media.

In response to Leganski, Alderwoman Mary Sullivan said Q Bar is a private establishment and has the legal right to hold events.

"Obviously, our police force is aware," Sullivan said. "We want everyone to be respectful and peaceful at any event, especially this Wednesday."

Marchese reiterated his position that the city does not condone the views of Graves.

"I'm not crazy about this performance either, but at the same time, it's not within our power as a council to say that you can't do that," Marchese said.

He said some social media commenters accused the city of taking a cowardly stance on Taft.

"We have no right to stop him," the mayor said.