A karaoke crackdown by Gatineau police has some bar owners singing the blues, and some live music lovers calling on the city's mayor to lighten up.

Several bar owners in Gatineau say they've had visits from police officers this year, and been issued warnings for failing to comply with Quebec's stringent liquor laws.

Nadyne Rompré, manager of the bar La Brass, said at first she thought it was a joke when police informed her she was in violation of laws governed by Quebec's Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux.

La Brass has been hosting karaoke nights on Saturdays for more than five years, but was recently forced to suspend the popular event following a visit by police.

Special permits for singing, dancing

"We weren't aware. We have a business permit from the city allowing us to operate as a bar with live performances, but we were told our existing liquor licence needs the added clause for live performances," explained Rompré.

Nadyne Rompré, manager of La Brass, has had to suspend the Aylmer bar's popular karaoke night while she applies for the proper live performance permit. (Radio-Canada) The Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux declined a request for an interview, instead referring CBC/Radio-Canada to its website for information on the permit in question.

Quebec liquor laws require venues such as La Brass to apply for add-ons to their liquor licence if they want to host live performances, including karaoke nights. Another add-on is required if patrons will be dancing.

If bars plan on hosting events that involve singing and dancing, they must apply for both add-ons.

Each add-on requires the applicant to submit architectural drawings and photos. They must also publish a notice in local papers and pay a fee of $426 per year.

Rompré has applied for the performance permit add-on.

Crackdown prompted by complaints

Gatineau police say they've visited a total nine bars over missing live performance permits.

"We received numerous complaints which led us to issue warnings to bars who were not conforming with the law. We could have issued actual infractions," said Gatineau police spokesman Jean-Paul Lemay.

Gatineau police have so far issued warnings to nine bar owners, says spokesman Jean-Paul Lemay. Lemay said the issue is tied to noise levels. "Some venues are hosting bands and that could lead to disturbance problems for the neighbourhood," said Lemay.

But should karaoke singalongs performed by bar patrons be classified as live performances in the eyes of the law?

Nicolas Cazelais, owner of the Gainsbourg bistro in Gatineau and the Chelsea Pub, believes the police crackdown is overkill.

If a customer walks into a restaurant where there's a piano and they start playing a few keys, and the restaurant doesn't have the required permit, will police move in? - Nicolas Cazelais , bar owner

"If a customer walks into a restaurant where there's a piano and they start playing a few keys, and the restaurant doesn't have the required permit, will police move in?" asked Cazelais.

The karaoke crackdown has prompted the launch of an online petition by listeners of the Radio-Canada show La soirée est encore jeune. It asks Gatineau Mayor Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin to keep the city out the live music business.

Pedneaud-Jobin said Tuesday too much is being made out of an issue he says has damaged the city's reputation.

He said of the nine businesses who have received warnings, three have since requested permits and another is in the process of having their expanded permit authorized.