BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A self-described Ensley nonprofit that promised to mentor youth and feed the community instead drew the attention of undercover police — for its beer selection.
Happy Hour Hangout, operating out of Avenue C in Ensley, told the city its mission was to help young people and provide food donations. City officials, however, said they saw little evidence of charity work and plenty of signs the building was functioning as an unlicensed bar.
According to police, an undercover officer bought an unopened beer at the nonprofit, later reporting that officers found liquor and hundreds of beers stored inside. That discovery prompted questions from the Birmingham City Council about whether the nonprofit angle was more marketing than mission.
The controversy eventually led the operators to surrender the original business license, ending the first chapter of Happy Hour Hangout’s run in Birmingham.
But the story didn’t quite close there.
This week, the Birmingham City Council denied a liquor license for “Happy Hour Hangout 2” at 2417 Avenue C, citing the history of alleged under-the-table alcohol sales and concerns from neighbors. Council members questioned whether the second location would be any different from the first.
The case has become a cautionary tale — and a bit of a punchline — at City Hall, where officials say they’re used to scrutinizing license applications, but not usually from nonprofits that double as lounges.
For now, at least, Ensley’s would-be youth-mentoring bar will have to stick to soft drinks.