Birmingham approves 2021 liquor licenses

By Kevin Elliott

Eleven liquor license renewals were approved Monday, March 22, by the Birmingham City Commission, which had been holding off on their approvals until after the establishments had cleared pending violations or fees with the city.

The commission annually holds liquor license renewals for the 36 establishments in Birmingham that are licensed to serve liquor. City code requires those establishments to be inspected annually for any outstanding violations. The commission also uses the inspections to settle any outstanding debts owed to the city.

Commissioners in February approved liquor license renewals for 25 establishments in Birmingham, but held off on 11 to allow those with outstanding debts owed to the city or ordinance violations to address issues. All of the fees and ordinances had been cleared by the March 22 meeting, said city manager Tom Markus.

Markus also said that two establishments, The Community House and Rugby Grille/Townsend Hotel had not been sent bills for sidewalk repairs due to a glitch in the city’s billing. Markus apologized for the mistake.

“This was a failure to connect the dots at the staff level,” Markus said. “I apologize to both Rugby Grille and The Community House for creating any image that their bill had not been paid.”

Markus noted that The Community House president and CEO William Seklar notified the city that it hadn’t received a bill for the sidewalk work. The city then presented a bill for the work and the balance was cleared within hours of being received.

The remaining nine establishments included Birmingham Sushi; Hazel Ravines & Downtown; Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse; Mad Hatter Bistro; Pernoi; Social Kitchen and Bar; Tallulah Wine Bar & Bistro; Rojo Mexican Bistro & Sidecar; and Vinotecca.

The licenses were unanimously approved by commissioners.