A popular, longtime destination for the gay community in Mobile, Alabama, was forced to close ahead of Pride celebrations in the Gulf Coast city, after an ownership transfer revealed irregularities in the bar’s liquor licensing.
The three-story B-Bob’s Bar in downtown Mobile shuttered with little warning and canceled planned events for Pride Month, including a Pride-themed drag show – expected to draw hundreds on the route for the city’s Pride Month art walk – and a block party-style event featuring a voter registration drive on Saturday.
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All of the long-planned events were put on ice by the new owner, interior designer and influencer Matthew Bees, who bought the bar from the retiring owner and has vowed to preserve one of the institutions that “make Mobile Mobile,” Alabama.com reports.
“I am devastated that we must close our doors for the rest of Pride Week this year,” Bees said. “We are working as hard and as fast as we can to make things right, and I look forward to welcoming everyone back through our doors very soon.”
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“My commitment to this community is unwavering,” he said.
The trouble started with Bees’ purchase of the bar earlier this year and subsequent planning for the upcoming Pride Month events.
“During a review of our licensing process with the City of Mobile for the street party event, questions arose concerning the status of our liquor license transfer,” the bar said in a statement. “In Alabama, liquor licenses are issued to specific individuals or business entities and do not automatically transfer with a property sale. In consultation with the Alabama ABC Board and appropriate authorities, we have voluntarily suspended operations while these matters are addressed.”
Statements from city officials and those with Alabama’s Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board confirm Bees’ version of events.
“We want to be clear: this was never our intention,” Bees said of the closure. “We believed we were operating in compliance, and the moment we became aware of this issue, we took immediate steps to address it responsibly and transparently.”
In his statement, Bees apologized to the performers slated to appear and the partners co-hosting the canceled Pride events. He said B-Bob’s employees would be paid for time off.
It’s unclear how long obtaining a new license will take or if Bees has any issues of concern for the authorities granting it. No estimate for a reopening date was provided.
The bar is working “closely with the Alabama ABC Board and local officials to ensure we are in full compliance with all rules and regulations applicable to our business,” Bees said.
In the meantime, one silver lining for the decorator-owner: the temporary closure gives Bees an opportunity to finish much of the work he wanted to do on the building’s infrastructure without compromising his fresh take on the B-Bob’s experience. He’s already given the “Rooftop Skybar” a makeover.
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