Birmingham Sushi reapproved for liquor license

By Grace Lovins

Japanese restaurant Birmingham Sushi Café has again been approved for a Class C bistro liquor license after the city commission reviewed the final site plan and design and special land use permit during the Monday, December 18, meeting.

According to planning director Nick Dupuis, the bistro lost its liquor license back in 2021 in the process of transferring ownership. They’ve been operating without a liquor license since then but wanted to have it reinstated.

Dupuis noted that the bistro is not proposing any changes to the existing establishment.

“This is very straightforward what we’re trying to do. … We’re not looking to change anything inside or out of the restaurant. We’re just here for that final site plan approval, special land use and transfer of that Class C,” said Chris Tower, an associate with Adkinson, Need, Allen & Rentrop, PLLC.

While the city’s planning board reviewed the application, they noted two items that were not currently in compliance at the restaurant – rooftop unit screening and the outdoor dining area. The board, however, said they found it unfair to stick the applicant with the responsibility of the rooftop unit screening since the building is a part of a plaza.

Commissioners voted 7-0 to approve the special land use permit and final site plan and design of Birmingham Sushi Café to allow the establishment to regain a bistro liquor license.