Bliss Rebar in downtown Phoenix recently applied for a new liquor license. Bliss is artsy local bar located on the corner of 4th Street and Garfield Street. Also sitting on the corner—right in front of the establishment—is a hard-to-miss public notice that reads, “PENDING APPLICATION FOR LIQOUR LICENSE.”
Below the large lettering, the sign says the Phoenix City Council will act on the license application on April 1, 2020.
During the daytime shift at Bliss Rebar, employees can be found cleaning and preparing for the nighttime rush. Danny Castorena is an upbeat Bliss bartender.
As he was asked about the license application sign pending out front, a smile appeared on his face. He said, “I was worried about that when I saw it too, but I asked my boss and everything is fine. It is basically just a renewal.”
Castorena also said that if anyone were to protest or say that Bliss shouldn’t have the new license issued, they could. Regardless, Castorena kept smiling and responded with, “It is nothing to be worried about.”
According to the City of Phoenix Liquor Services, the bright green sign in front of the establishment is there to let the public know that they have applied for a license through the state.
This does not mean that the bar is currently in danger of being shut down, or that it’s “in trouble.” However, as long as the bar is pending application for the liquor license, the public is able to write whether they support or do not support the bar obtaining the liquor license.
Emilie Ruich is a resident of Cave Creek, Arizona. She has visited Bliss Rebar once before with her boyfriend and a group of friends. She said that they had a positive experience. “Although I have only visited the bar once, I really enjoyed the experience. It had a really fun and inviting atmosphere.”
Ruich then shared her opinion about visiting Bliss and her reaction to the sign currently sitting out front of it. She said, “Bliss is definitely somewhere you should go if you’re in the area. So, all in all, I would be a bit disappointed if it didn’t get the license. It was a great place to enjoy a night out with friends.”
According to Jeff Trillo at Arizona Department of Liquor, the local governing body has a posting requirement. Therefore, posting the sign out front of the bar when applying for a new license is standard and a requirement by law.
Trillo explained if that if the license application were to be denied unable to be issued to the bar, then there would be many business and personal decisions that Bliss would have to make.
The application pending process for the license allows for dispute and opinions from others. Although there are those that may be confident that Bliss Rebar will successfully obtain the license, there is still a possibility that the bar will get denied.
If that should happen, there is a chance that Bliss Rebar wouldn’t be able to sell liquor in their establishment.
Contact the reporter at: mcerro95@gmail.com
