COSTA MESA : City Rejects Pleas to Curtail Bar’s Activity

The City Council on Monday rejected requests to curtail operations at the Hogue Barmichael’s bar, object of complaints by neighbors who say some customers are too rowdy.

The council deadlocked 2-2 over a proposal to revoke the public entertainment permit for Hogue’s, at 1976 Newport Blvd.

In a report presented to the council Monday, city officials said the bar had been the subject of complaints since 1984 and “continues to be a nuisance to neighboring property and business owners.”

Bar customers are accused of littering the neighborhood with beer cans and bottles, being disorderly, destroying property and urinating in public.

Police responded to more than 150 calls at the bar from 1987 through November of this year, according to police logs. Calls ranged from first aid requests to complaints of assault and battery with serious injury.

Owner Jules Boryczewski said, however, that reports of disruptive behavior at the bar had been exaggerated.

Boryczewski said he has worked with the community to improve conditions and gave the council a petition with the signatures of 55 neighboring residents who support the bar.

“We are not saying there are never any problems, but we work with the community to fix them,” said Boryczewski. “Conditions have gotten a lot better.”

Boryczewski said loss of the entertainment permit could mean the end of his business.