GBar allowed to reopen after Liverpool stabbing licence review 2026

Key Points

• GBar, an LGBT+ nightclub based in the city centre of Liverpool, has seen its licence reinstated after a suspension due to a stabbing which took place outside of the establishment.
• Three individuals sustained stab wounds in the small hours of Sunday, 20 September 2026, and were admitted to hospital for an assessment.
• The Licensing and Gambling sub-committee of Liverpool City Council decided to reinstate a license from 8am following a hearing at the Liverpool Town Hall on Friday, 16 October 2026.
• Merseyside Police requested a reduction of closing hours to 6am.
• Patrick Morgan, aged 31, Jonny Gee, aged 18, and Stephen Gee, aged 22, have been charged in relation to the incident.
• It was made known during the hearing that the management and security guards on duty on the night of the stabbing have been dismissed and a new DPD assigned to the premises.
• Earlier incidents that occurred either in GBar or in the vicinity of the venue were not notified to the police.
• GBar is an important venue for the LGBT+ community in Liverpool.

Liverpool (Liverpool standard) October 17, 2026 – A Liverpool city centre gay bar connected to a stabbing that left three men injured has been allowed to reopen after councillors reinstated its licence.

GBar, on Tithebarn Street, had its licence suspended with immediate effect after the incident on 20 September. Following a lengthy hearing at Liverpool Town Hall on Friday, Liverpool Council’s licensing and gambling sub-committee agreed that the venue could reopen and trade until 8am.

As reported by Birkenhead News, the decision came despite Merseyside Police seeking a reduced closing time of 6am. The committee instead permitted the bar to operate until 8am.

The BBC reported that the panel noted changes made by the venue since the stabbing, including measures relating to staffing and training.

What happened outside GBar in September?

Merseyside Police were called to Tithebarn Street at about 6.35am on Sunday, 20 September, after three men were found injured. The victims were taken to hospital for assessment.

According to the Liverpool Echo, the incident is believed to have taken place outside GBar on Eberle Street, after an alleged altercation between two groups inside the venue continued outside.

The Liverpool Echo reported that two of the injured men were in a stable condition, while the third suffered minor injuries. Merseyside Police said at the time that a suspected weapon had been recovered and would be forensically examined.

The force also said officers carried out warrants within hours of the incident and arrested three people. Chief Superintendent Natalie Perischine said the force had “a zero-tolerance approach” to people carrying weapons in the city centre and that officers would work to identify those responsible.

Who has been charged over the Liverpool stabbing?

Merseyside Police confirmed that three men were charged following the stabbing. As reported by Birkenhead News, Patrick Morgan, 31, of Canterbury Way in Liverpool, has been charged with two counts of Section 18 wounding with intent, violent disorder and possession of a bladed article.

Jonny Gee, 18, of Halkyn Drive in Everton, has been charged with two counts of Section 18 wounding with intent, violent disorder and possession of a bladed article. Stephen Gee, 22, also of Halkyn Drive in Everton, has been charged with one count of Section 18 wounding with intent, violent disorder and possession of Class B controlled drugs.

All three appeared at Wirral Magistrates’ Court in September. They are due to appear at Crown Court later this month.

The charges are allegations, and the men are entitled to a fair trial. No convictions were reported in connection with the case at the time of the licensing hearing.

What did Merseyside Police tell the licensing hearing?

At the full licensing hearing, PC Nicola Ireland said the September altercation had been preceded by two further incidents that GBar management had failed to report to police.

As reported by Birkenhead News, PC Ireland said that in December last year an affray involving about 10 people took place outside the front door of the premises at 7.45am. She said door staff were outnumbered and retreated inside to keep patrons safe.

The officer also said that in March this year it was alleged that a bottle had been used as a weapon. A week later, it was alleged that a member of door staff assaulted a customer, while a further allegation concerned sexual assault. PC Ireland said neither incident was reported to police and that CCTV coverage was inadequate.

She said the circumstances demonstrated “a culture” of not reporting matters to police, with improvements not made until after the September incident. PC Ireland added that police did not have confidence in Nation Security continuing to staff the venue’s doors, but GBar chose to retain the company.

What changes has GBar made before reopening?

Sarah Taylor, acting for the owners, told councillors that the management and door staff on duty on the night of 20 September had all been dismissed. A new designated premises supervisor, Keith Blohm, has also been appointed.

Ms Taylor said: “Sometimes things go wrong and this is one of those occasions where things go wrong.” She said the previous designated premises supervisor, Howard Gwynn, had been “let down by the previous management team”.

She argued that changing the security company would not be beneficial, saying Nation “know the city well” and had worked at dozens of other venues. Ms Taylor also said increased staff training would be introduced, delivered by Trading Standards.

Karl Gwynn, representing GBar, said management were keen to “admit our mistakes” and “would like to move forward with this”.

Mr Blohm said he wanted to establish a positive working relationship with Merseyside Police. He told the hearing that the LGBT community “needs GBar”.

Why do supporters say GBar matters to Liverpool?

Simon Harris, chief executive of Sahir House, told the hearing that GBar was a place where people working in the late-night economy could visit after hours. He described it as “not just another club”, but “an important part of the LGBT community and night time economy”.

Mr Harris said GBar was a place where members of the LGBT community could “be free and themselves, even just holding hands”.

GBar opened in 1996 and describes itself as one of Liverpool’s most enduring LGBT+ venues. The venue had previously issued a statement after the stabbing, saying it was working with Liverpool City Council and would use the closure period to make improvements before returning in October.

What did councillors say after reinstating the licence?

Members of the licensing and gambling sub-committee agreed to reinstate GBar’s licence.

Councillor Christine Banks, the committee chair, urged officials to “do your duty” and “protect the people” visiting the city at night. Addressing the new designated premises supervisor, she called on Mr Blohm to “be vigilant and protect people and the business”.

The decision means GBar may reopen, but its continued operation will depend on compliance with licensing conditions and the standards expected by the council and police.

Background to the GBar licence review

GBar’s licence was suspended on 23 September, days after the stabbing, pending a full review by Liverpool Council’s licensing and gambling sub-committee. At that initial hearing, Karl Bruder, acting for then designated premises supervisor Howard Gwynn, said the owners were “disappointed” by what had happened outside the venue and felt “let down” by management.

The full hearing took place on 16 October at Liverpool Town Hall. Councillors considered evidence from Merseyside Police, representations from the venue’s representatives, and the changes made since the incident before deciding to reinstate the licence with an 8am closing time.

How could this affect Liverpool’s LGBT+ nightlife?

For LGBT+ residents, venue staff and late-night workers in Liverpool, the decision may affect confidence in the safety and availability of dedicated community spaces. GBar’s supporters told the committee that the venue provides an important social space for the LGBT+ community, particularly for people working beyond standard licensing hours.

For bar and club operators, the case highlights the potential licensing consequences of failing to report incidents, maintain adequate CCTV, and manage door security effectively. The committee’s decision to reinstate the licence followed evidence of staffing changes, a new designated premises supervisor and planned additional training.

For Merseyside Police and the council, the outcome sets a practical test: whether the changes presented at the hearing reduce the risk of further violence around the venue. The police had sought an earlier closing time, while the committee opted to allow trading until 8am, meaning future incident reporting, security arrangements and cooperation with officers are likely to be closely monitored.