MADISON (WKOW) — A Dane County judge has ruled in favor of granting a liquor license for the Taco Bell Cantina on State Street.

Madison Mayor Paul Soglin earlier this year vetoed the approval of the license, but council failed twice to override the veto.

The restaurant will begin serving alcohol early next year, according to a spokesperson for Flynn Restaurant Group.

“As the owner and operator of 1,245 restaurants across the country including 460 Applebee’s locations – all with full-service liquor licenses – Flynn Restaurant Group has an outstanding reputation of owning and operating safe, orderly and compliant concepts nationwide,” a statement from the company read.

“We pride ourselves on responsible service and the fact that we have never had a license revoked or suspended. We look forward to continuing to serve the residents and visitors of Madison, WI, with the option of beer and wine.”

Soglin says the bar-filled area is at the center of drinking-related crimes and adding another bar won’t help.

“85 percent of the rest of the city is not getting service because of the officers and firefighters who are committed to this area,” Soglin told the alders during a discussion of the veto.

Soglin showed the alders a video of security footage and photos of crime victims and crowds outside bars in the area.

Madison police Capt. Jason Freedman says the owners of the restaurant were understanding and made changes to their liquor license proposal to address police concerns, but he agrees there is a problem with bar capacity and over-consumption that needs to be addressed.