Westcott Theater Owner Sues Syracuse After Venue Shutdown
- Peck, 39, was charged with second-degree obstructing governmental administration after police determined the venue lacked the required permits to host the gathering, according to Syracuse Police Department spokesperson...
- The legal challenge followed the city's decision to deny the Westcott Theater a Large Crowd Entertainment License for an August 15 event and order the venue closed.
- Syracuse police reported that two men were stabbed at the venue on August 1, 2025, an incident that remains under investigation.
Permitting Dispute and Police Enforcement at 524 Westcott St.
Theater manager Andrew J. Peck, 39, was charged with second-degree obstructing governmental administration after police determined the venue lacked the required permits to host the gathering, according to Syracuse Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Thomas Blake. Officers escorted everyone inside the building out without further incident. This enforcement action highlights an ongoing licensing dispute between the venue and city officials.
The legal challenge followed the city’s decision to deny the Westcott Theater a Large Crowd Entertainment License for an August 15 event and order the venue closed. Mastronardi’s attorney, Michael Allen, argued that city licensing rules grant officials excessive discretion and fail to provide a clear appeals process for denials. Furthermore, Allen argued that the city’s requirement to file entertainment license applications 30 days in advance violates First Amendment rights. Judge John Dillon reserved judgment following the hearing.
Safety Concerns and City Code Violations
Syracuse police reported that two men were stabbed at the venue on August 1, 2025, an incident that remains under investigation. A week later, the theater reportedly hosted jam band Eggy without an entertainment license.
Additional scrutiny surrounds the venue’s physical structure and history. Four code violations cite the theater’s closed-in patio, which city reports indicate prevents guests from exiting the property easily during an emergency. The city also issued violations asserting that the venue fails to maintain a peaceful atmosphere following fights and gunfire reported nearby in June 2025. Alexander Marion, the Syracuse city auditor, stated that the ownership appears to be playing fast and loose with the rules, adding that city police and code enforcement intend to maintain pressure on the venue.
Upcoming Schedule and Relocated Events
Despite the continuous permitting troubles and shutdowns, the Westcott Theater’s official website lists more than a dozen upcoming shows scheduled through April 2027. However, the venue’s closure has already disrupted major calendar items. An event featuring Braden Peters, known online as Clavicular, was scheduled for as part of Syracuse University’s Blackout Banger welcome-back series. Meanwhile, ticket sales for a planned three-day Syracuse Welcome Week were removed from the theater’s website following the enforcement actions.
