Prominent Mobile gay bar abruptly shuts down at height of Pride Month activities
The venue says it is working to clear up "concerns" about the transfer of its liquor license after a change in ownership.
Liam Carter 
Downtown Mobile staple B-Bob’s has abruptly shuttered its doors, forcing the cancellation of a full slate of Pride Month festivities scheduled for this weekend. The venue, a fixture of the city's nightlife for over two decades, confirmed that it has voluntarily suspended operations while it resolves technicalities surrounding its liquor license.
Licensing Hurdles and Ownership Changes
The closure follows a transition in ownership earlier this year, when longtime proprietor Jerry Ehlen sold the 213 Conti St. institution to interior decorator Matthew Bees. According to the venue, the licensing issue surfaced during a review process with the City of Mobile related to a planned street party. Because Alabama liquor licenses are issued to specific entities and do not automatically transfer with a property sale, the venue is working with the Alabama ABC Board to ensure compliance.
In a statement released Friday, Bees expressed his devastation regarding the timing of the closure, noting that the venue believed it was in compliance before the discrepancy came to light. "We want to be clear: this was never our intention," the statement read. "The moment we became aware of this issue, we took immediate steps to address it responsibly and transparently."
Community Impact and Next Steps
The sudden shutdown comes at the height of Pride Month. Remaining events, including a Friday night drag show following the Pride Month artwalk and a Saturday block party, have been scrapped. However, organizers noted that the voter registration drive originally slated for the block party will move to Great Day Latte at 10 S. Conception St.
While there is no confirmed reopening date, management committed to paying employees throughout the period of inactivity. The venue plans to use the downtime to tackle necessary infrastructure repairs, specifically the replacement of aging cast iron sewage pipes. Bees emphasized that his commitment to the local community remains "unwavering" as they work to bring the business back into full regulatory alignment.
For ongoing updates, followers can check the official B-Bob's Facebook page or visit www.b-bobs.com.
