Liv lounge in Dearborn.

DEARBORN — Attorneys representing a Dearborn bar are claiming the city is aiming to revoke its liquor license because it often attracts urban crowds. 

Liv Lounge, located at 21961 Michigan Avenue in west Dearborn, is undergoing a revocation review by the city. 

City officials believe that the rowdy, party-going crowd frequenting the business has turned into a nuisance for local residents and other establishments. 

Since last summer, Dearborn Police claimed that a number of firearm discharges, aggravated assaults and domestic disputes have erupted at or near the property of Liv Lounge. 

That violence mounted last month after police responded to an incident at the bar when gunshots were fired following an altercation between customers on the dance floor. The gunshot victim sustained non-life threatening injuries.

A few days following that incident, Liv Lounge management received a letter from the city requesting a revocation hearing regarding its liquor license. The city cited the numerous police reports and residential complaints as its reasoning behind the move. 

The city also received a complaint from the Liquor Control Commission in Lansing, regarding minors being in possession of alcohol at the establishment. 

At a public meeting on Tuesday, March 22, city officials and Liv Lounge representatives argued about the possibility of revoking the business’ liquor license. Dearborn Police cited 19 incidents at the business since last July that required police assistance. 

Speaking on behalf of the owner of Liv Lounge, attorneys Cyril Hall and Amir Makled said the city asked for a revocation hearing without issuing a warning or requesting to meet with the owner in advance.

“They came right at us, going straight for the license, which we thought was an extreme remedy,” Makled said. “We understand there’s been some police calls over to Liv, but it’s not only that establishment. There have been other places subjected to multiple police incidents. That’s going to happen in a bar district.”

Nar Bar, the Post Bar and Red Martini, all located in the same vicinity, underwent objections by the city for renewal of their liquor license. The Post Bar was ultimately cleared as its now under new ownership.  

There are more than 50 businesses in the city with liquor licenses. Makled believes city officials are specifically targeting Liv Lounge because the establishment attracts Black patrons. 

Since last year, Liv Lounge’s customer base has shifted in demographics. Parties at the establishment are often promoted on urban radio, attracting a large Detroit crowd to the vicinity.

On Saturday nights, 97.9 WJLB, Detroit’s leading hip-hop station, broadcasts live from the bar. 

This week, Liv Lounge promoted an after-party on Thursday night following superstar Rihanna’s concert at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Makled believes the city wants this particular crowd to remain outside of the city’s borders. 

“I don’t think they are happy with the crowd,” Makled said. “The city noticed it was a predominantly Black crowd, especially in the last year or so, and that’s when they started to up the enforcement.”

Makled noted that Dearborn police are entrapping customers as they leave the bars, which is negatively impacting the local businesses.

However, at Tuesday’s meeting, Councilman David Bazzy told Makled and Hall that he believes the commotion surrounding Liv Lounge is what’s negatively impacting the city.

“I’m concerned about what’s occurred at Liv Lounge,” Bazzy said. “And what the aftermath is at Liv Lounge and what it means for the neighborhood. And what it means for the people concerned for their values, their homes and the people that live as residents who elected us as a body to do our job.” 

Dearborn Police provided dash cam footage of some of the altercations that have occurred in the parking lot at Liv Lounge. 

In one clip, a pedestrian opens the passenger door of a vehicle and assaults the passenger. The police officer claims that the driver of the vehicle waved a loaded gun towards a crowd of people before officers attempted to intervene. 

Police officers also insinuated that gang fights have broken out at the venue. 

However, Hall disputed the dash-cam footage, claiming that the police department cannot assume that the subjects in the footage were Liv Lounge customers.

“Did you ever go back and inspect a video at Liv Lounge to see whether or not any of those individuals were in the bar?” Hall asked a sergeant at the public meeting. 

The owners of Liv Lounge said they were willing to temporarily close their doors to work with the city on meeting an acceptable standard to operate the business. It included a proposal to begin marketing the venue to older couples, however city officials didn’t appear interested in the idea. 

Makled said the city is earning a negative reputation among investors because it often inflicts unnecessary restrictions on businesses. 

 “If they don’t give us an opportunity to dispel some of the concerns, it sends a message to investors,” Makled said. “They haven’t even attempted to work with us one on one to try and attempt a resolution, which is unfortunate. They do not respect that people have made substantial investments in the city.”

Liv Lounge’s revocation hearing on Tuesday was temporarily adjourned to allow the city and police department more time to gather evidence against the business. Liv Lounge’s attorneys are still hopeful that they will be able to compromise with the city.