ANAHEIM : Owner of Gay Club Denied Beer Permit

Responding to complaints about a proliferation of bars and nightclubs on Brookhurst Street, the City Council has refused to give the owner of a gay club a permit to sell beer and wine.

But Mark Kromka, owner of the Sure Shot, which is moving from Euclid Street to Brookhurst, vowed to open the club without alcohol.

“I feel this is discrimination,” said Kromka, who already has a dinner-dancing permit for the new location.

About 100 residents signed petitions, wrote letters and addressed the council regarding the stretch of Brookhurst between Orange Avenue and Broadway.

“It’s an eyesore. There are too many bars and dance halls in the area,” said Robert Spidell, a spokesman for the residents’ group. Residents often find people from nearby clubs using their property for sleeping, sex, taking drugs and urinating, he said.

Police Chief Joseph T. Molloy has agreed with the residents. He also protested Kromka’s permit request to the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, citing the 34 businesses already selling alcohol in the area and the large number of calls for police service there.

But Molloy said his opposition was not a reflection on Kromka’s previous club.

The council’s vote to deny him a city permit, which is necessary to obtain a state license, was unanimous.

“I can’t see how another bar is going to clean up the neighborhood,” Councilman William D. Ehrle said.

Kromka and his wife, Merle, said they plan to open the restaurant and dance club by the middle of the month.