Resident objects to Alibi Room liquor license; council approves 5-0

A neighborhood resident urged the Omaha City Council to deny a Class C liquor license for the Alibi Room at 9001 Arbor Street, citing decades of late‑night noise and disturbance at the location under previous tenants. Russ Chadwell of 9101 Arbor Street told the council the site had been a “chronic nuisance” for 60 years and described nightly disruptions — loud talking, car doors slamming and engines revving — that persisted as late as 1–4 a.m. He said the neighborhood had enjoyed peace since the prior business closed and warned a new 2 a.m. license would create “a massive future enforcement burden.”

David Houghton, representing AB 90 LLC, replied that the applicant’s operator, Allison Boyd, is experienced and that the proposed Alibi Room is a new business and new ownership. Houghton said the concept is a lounge with modern upgrades and said the firm was unaware of specific incidents involving the prior VIP tenant. “We have confidence that it’ll be operated responsibly and without incident,” Houghton said.

Council members discussed ownership and format differences with the attorneys. Councilmember Harding asked whether the ownership was changing and council members noted the operation will differ from the prior VIP lounge. No other public proponents appeared. After discussion, the council moved, seconded and approved the license by voice and roll call, with the motion recorded as passed 5 to 0.

The council did not adopt additional operating conditions on the record at the meeting; concerns about neighborhood impacts were recorded by Chadwell and will remain part of the public record.