Phoenix council denies Ash Lounge liquor license after police cite permit lapses and violent incidents

Phoenix City Council voted 9-0 on Aug. 27 to deny an application to transfer control of the liquor license for the Ash Lounge at 4516 N. 19th Avenue, following a police recommendation that the applicant did not meet statutory requirements for reliability. The motion to deny was made by Councilwoman Pastor and seconded; the council recorded unanimous support for the denial.

Police officials told the council the case raised public-safety and regulatory concerns that justified denial. The council heard that officers and investigators documented multiple violent events at the site, state liquor investigations and operation as an adult-use establishment without a valid city use permit.

Officer Craig Mays of the Desert Horizon Precinct told the council, "The recommendation is based on our investigation that has led us to believe the applicant is not capable, qualified, and reliable as required by Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 4-202." Commander Lauren Brewer introduced the department witnesses and said the precinct recommended denial.

The police presentation said the business was associated with nine calls for service at the address, including an incident on Jan. 24, 2024, involving shots fired and a March 11, 2025, aggravated-assault and kidnapping allegation in which a performer was dragged off the stage and assaulted. The department also reported an August 18, 2024, fight that resulted in a fractured orbital and said on at least two occasions management did not report serious assaults to police. Investigators noted a March 15, 2025, Department of Liquor, License and Control (DLLC) citation for overservice and a separate pending DLLC investigation.

In addition, planning staff and police told the council the property has operated adult live entertainment without a valid city use permit and that the location lost nonconforming status in 2016. A city planning official said the site "has not had a valid use permit for adult use since 12/20/2016," and that the establishment did not meet spacing requirements near childcare and residential uses.

Hector Rivera, identified in testimony as a partner in Ash Entertainment, and his agent Jeff Miller disputed parts of the enforcement account. Rivera said the venue was operating as a "bikini bar" and that entertainers were "covered up at all times," and Miller, who works with Arizona liquor license applicants, said owners had enrolled in required liquor-law training and engaged attorneys to address use-permit questions. Land-use attorney Jordan Greenman and liquor-license attorney Peter Shelstraid told the council they are pursuing administrative remedies and appeals related to the 2016 planning determination.

Neighbor testimony was strongly opposed. Anne Ender, who said she owns homes near the lounge and is renovating them to bring families back to the neighborhood, told the council the site historically "was never a good neighbor" and asked the council to deny the application.

Councilwoman Pastor, who represents the district, described a history of neighborhood problems associated with the property and moved to deny the license. The council adopted the motion by roll call: Guadalupe (yes), Hernandez (yes), Hutch Washington (yes), Pastor (yes), Robinson (yes), Stark (yes), Waring (yes), O'Brien (yes), Gallego (yes). The motion passed 9-0.

Discussion v. decision: police witnesses presented investigative findings and a formal recommendation to the council (discussion); the applicant and attorneys gave rebuttal and described ongoing administrative appeals (discussion); the council took a formal vote to deny the acquisition-of-control application (decision).

The denial is a local administrative licensing decision. The council record noted ongoing DLLC investigations; any future changes to the venue's operations would require resolution of the DLLC matters and any planning/use-permit appeals.

What’s next: the state Department of Liquor, License and Control and the city planning department retain separate authorities over licensing and use permits. The transcript includes police and planning summaries, the applicant’s statements about pursuing land-use remedies, and the council’s unanimous denial.