Council reviews liquor-license applications and hears fire department closure of XS Ultra Lounge for overcrowding

Montgomery City councilors were briefed on multiple alcohol-license applications and related enforcement actions during the agenda preview.

The fire department reported that XS Ultra Lounge at 3420 Atlanta Highway had been closed for overcrowding and said the council would need to approve an administrative fee related to that closure. The transcript records the item introduction but does not show a recorded vote on the fee during the portion captured.

Councilors also noted pending applications: a conference-center license for Hidden Gym at 3758 Norman Bridge Road; a lounge retail/package license for Tobacco and Beverage at 720 Eastern Boulevard; applications for Chipotle Mexican Grill at 2682 Eastern Boulevard (retail beer, off-premises) and La Costa Market at 2656 Old Summer Road (retail beer and retail table wine, off-premises only). A staff speaker warned that the Tobacco and Beverage application may be out of compliance on distance from a church, saying, “I don't think it's in compliance,” and staff said they would “double check with zoning.”

On the Tobacco and Beverage item the transcript records a staff comment that the applicant “owe[s] us some whiskey taxes.” The transcript does not record final rulings or votes on the listed license applications.

Why it matters: Approval of liquor licenses and enforcement of public-safety closures affect neighborhood noise, public-safety oversight and business compliance. The council will consider compliance issues — such as the 250-foot church-distance rule cited by staff — and outstanding tax or compliance questions before final action.

What happens next: Staff will confirm zoning and distance compliance for problematic applications and present the administrative-fee approval for XS Ultra Lounge to the council at a later point; no final votes on licenses or the fee were recorded in the transcript provided.