Council approves club liquor license for 2 Dimes after police raise crowd-control concerns

The Tuscaloosa City Council approved an ABC application for a Class 2 club liquor license for 2 Dimes, a proposed events venue at 1307 University Boulevard, after police outlined public-safety concerns about large late-night crowd dispersals.

Chief Blankley of the Tuscaloosa Police Department told councilors that when the venue was first discussed staff believed it would operate primarily as a concert hall, with crowds clearing out earlier. He said he learned before the meeting that the applicant planned to rent the space to fraternities and sororities and that those private‑party 'dump outs' could occur later at night, increasing the risk of overcrowding on adjacent sidewalks and streets.

Applicant Rick Myers said bookings now typically start at 5 p.m. and last into about 10 p.m., with most events drawing 700 people and one expected at about 1,200. "We don't have any bookings anywhere close to [1,500]. Majority of the bookings have been around 700," Myers said. His operational partner, Grant McCabe, said the venue will staff in‑house security and install interior and exterior cameras; McCabe said the operators would provide footage to police when law enforcement needs it.

Council members voted to approve the ABC application; the motion carried 5 to 1 on the record. The transcript shows Chief Blankley recommended caution and that councilors asked for commitments that the venue operate as presented.

The approval allows 2 Dimes to operate as a private club venue with the licensing class requested; the record does not show post-approval conditions beyond the general public-safety concerns noted by police and the applicant's on-record statements about security and cameras.