Council disapproves Garden of Eden Grill liquor license after police cite interior changes and service calls

The Phoenix City Council unanimously disapproved a series 12 liquor license application for Garden of Eden Grill following testimony from police that the restaurant’s on-site conditions do not match its permit application.

The applicant, Alliance Zawadi, told the council she had documentation to challenge elements of the police report, saying there is no stage or live entertainment and that neighborhood business owners had signed letters saying noise had not been a problem. "I have all the proof of it," Alliance Zawadi said while disputing claims about late-night parties and the menu composition.

Phoenix community action officer Jeremy Campbell told the council that on-site inspections and neighbor reports show color-changing lights, music equipment and large speakers inside, and a near-empty food inventory that does not support the 40% food-sales threshold required for a bona fide restaurant liquor license. Campbell also cited multiple police responses to loud music and a late-night large gathering. "Based on the recent calls for service, the applicant has not shown she is capable, qualified or reliable to hold a liquor license," he said.

Councilman Waring moved to disapprove the application; the motion received a second and carried on a roll call recorded as unanimous.

The council followed its usual practice of deferring to inspection findings and neighbor testimony when considering series 12 applications, which require primary food sales to meet the licensing standard. The clerk noted the council’s advisory role to the state on liquor licensing and that the city’s determination is part of the state review process.

The decision leaves open the prospect that the applicant could reapply with clarified operations or address the inspection findings identified by police; the council did not adopt additional conditions at the time of the vote.