Gulf Shores, Ala. —(OBA) — City staffers are expected to recommend denial of a request to serve alcohol until 3 a.m. at Hibas in Pelican Place. In the past, the bar has operated under guidelines hoping to curb late-night crime at the club. See related story.

The request will come from the owners of Hibas Karaoke and Arcade Bar during a May 28 planning commission meeting at 4 p.m. in council chambers at city hall.

At the time of the city’s first crackdown on the club, it was called Cohiba Dunes and was known as a late-night gathering spot for service industry workers. See related story. The name was later changed to Hibas, but on April 1, the bar’s Facebook page announced the name was changing again to The Barefoot Bar, a name held by a bar at Gulf Place before being destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004.

Owners are seeking a conditional use permit approval for a lounge/bar use, and city planners are expected to recommend denial.

“In both 2023 and 2024, the business license renewal was referred to the city council for review at the request of the police department due to safety issues stemming from late-night bar activities,” a memo on the meeting agenda states. “Hibas' late night lounge/bar business plan is not compatible with the goals and stated plans of the city of being a family-friendly community. Late-night lounge/bar uses negatively impact communities in a variety of ways.”

All conditional use permits, or changes from what is allowed by the zoning ordinance, must be approved by the city council.

During the meeting, the commission will also discuss:

• A request for plat approval for a 64-lot single-family development called Water Oaks on the south side of State Route 180 between West Brigadoon Trail and Middle Brigadoon Trail. It is the site of a planned but not completed 79-lot single-family subdivision and is partially developed with roadbeds, sidewalks, and utilities. Staff will recommend approval with conditions.
• A request to amend the zoning ordinance regarding signs on vacation rental units. Staff will recommend approval.
• A request to build a new O’Reilly’s Auto Parts store north of the gas station at the northeast intersection of State Route 59 and Coastal Gateway Boulevard, formerly County Road 8. Staff will recommend approval with conditions.