Mobile County holds public hearing after neighbors raise safety, noise and traffic concerns at Alabama Bar on Airport Boulevard

Mobile County Commission members held a public hearing March 24 to gather testimony about public‑safety concerns tied to JJKJ LLC doing business as the Rolling Tide, also known in public filings and in testimony as the Alabama Bar and Lounge, at 10071 Airport Boulevard in West Mobile.

Neighbors and nearby residents told the commission the establishment has been associated with repeated disturbances, two homicides referenced in testimony, loud music and late closing hours that they say contribute to reckless driving and other public‑safety problems. Joseph Johnson, the bar owner, told commissioners he has operated the Alabama Bar for years, said he has no criminal background and defended the business as a neighborhood sports and karaoke bar. The commission closed the hearing after taking testimony and said it will take the information under advisement.

The hearing proceeded under agenda item 3 after the commission set ground rules and allotted four minutes per speaker. Joseph Johnson, identified in the record as the owner of the Alabama Bar, opened by expressing sympathy for victims of violence in the community and by stressing his personal record: “I have no criminal background, and to be completely honest, I don't have any traffic tickets either,” he said, and told the commission the bar is “a neighborhood sports karaoke bar” where many patrons come to socialize. Johnson said the ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control) board conducts background checks to vet liquor‑license holders and that his establishment has not received underage‑drinking violations during his five liquor license terms. He said he plans to “close a little earlier” on weekends to try to reduce late‑night incidents.

Several nearby residents described repeated disturbances. Ralph Henry Sheffield, who gave his address as 10051 C Airport Boulevard and said he lives about 50 feet east of the bar, listed multiple problems…