Metro Weekly brings us news of the latest development in the ongoing battle between Shaw’s churches and new businesses moving into the area. Yesterday the ABC board voted unanimously to decline to recognize two groups of potential protestants to the liquor license for Be Bar, a new establishment opening near the intersection of 9th and O Street, N.W., leaving ANC 2F as the only official protestant still standing.

It’s become a largely standard procedure for Advisory Neighborhood Commissions to protest new liquor licenses in order to negotiate “voluntary agreements” with new businesses about things like noise, cleanliness and delivery times. Be Bar faced a different challenge: its planned site lies on the Eastern edge of the ANC 2F border, close the adjacent ANC 2C. Representatives from 2C, along with a group of residents affiliated with Scripture Cathedral Church — which is located across the street from the Be Bar site — sought to oppose the bar’s opening. Be Bar’s owners have refrained from saying so, but based on the ownership and press coverage, it’s not unreasonable to infer that the bar will primarily cultivate a gay clientele — hence the conservative church’s opposition.

The ABC Board’s refusal to give 2C a voice in the proceedings can be appealed, however, and Scripture Cathedral’s Bishop C.L. Long has implied that his group will pursue all options available to them to prevent Be Bar from opening across the street. But not taking into account any further appeals, Be Bar should be able to open in July once it completes its negotiations with ANC 2F.

Original image posted to DCist Photos by Flickr user wageslaves. Thanks to Richard H. for the tip on this story.