Wandsworth's Licensing Sub-Committee convened on Thursday, August 7th, 2025, to review the premises licence of Bad Habits Club, formerly known as Tequila Mockingbird, following noise complaints from local residents.
The Hafer Road Neighbourhood Watch applied for the review, citing concerns that the premises had failed to uphold the licensing objectives, including the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. The group stated that under the previous operation as Tequila Mockingbird, there had been incidents requiring police intervention, antisocial behaviour, and loud music. The Review Application Form & Supporting Documentation included marketing materials from Bad Habits Club's website and social media with phrases such as A place for rule-breakers
and Where anything goes
.
Laurent Kissis, speaking on behalf of the Hafer Road Neighbourhood Watch, told the sub-committee that the same management that caused years of problems as Tequila Mockingbird has now reopened, operating on the Bad Habits Club. He said that the core of the problem today isn't that we want to stop a legitimate business being in operation. He also stated that the evidence is in the bundle pack, and this is what we feel are documented facts.
Felix Faulkner, representing the applicant, Jonathan Bass, stated that his client has owned and operated the licensed premises across London since 2015 and is a well-respected operator. He also stated that the premises has been licensed since 2004 and currently operates with 15 enforceable conditions designed to ensure the premises upholds the licensing objectives. These include CCTV throughout the premises, notices reminding customers to be quiet when leaving, and two door supervisors on Friday and Saturday nights. Furthermore, a sound limiting device, set by the Wandsworth Borough Council Environmental Health Officer seven years ago, is in place. Initially, the premises was called Tequila Mockingbird and operated as a cocktail-led bar with an emphasis on lively atmosphere and dancing. Due to a change in customer demand, my client refurbished the bar earlier this year and changed the name to Bad Habits Club. Mr Faulkner stated that the review was submitted without any prior engagement with his client, and the review does not refer to any evidence of recent breaches of the licensing objectives.
Roberta Adami, a resident in Battersea Rise, stated that there has been an improvement since the barriers have reopened. She also stated that she is still very much concerned about the way they advertise themselves, though, because that might attract customers that are not really appropriate for an area that's a residential area. She also stated that my own family has been affected greatly by years of loud music and rowdy customers. So our sleep has been disturbed and my children, my child's sleep has been disturbed for many years.
Mr Bass addressed concerns about marketing materials, stating that the words are tongue-in-cheek. He said that they've gone down a new music policy route, and we're playing rock music now. So it kind of goes in with that kind of like rock-style thing. He also stated that he doesn't want bad behaviour, because it's not good for business.
The Licensing Sub-Committee will now retire to a separate confidential meeting room to make the decision, where only members of the licensing subcommittee, the Democratic Services Officer and legal advisor will be present. The Licensing Sub-Committee has several options regarding the premises licence. These include taking no further action, issuing an informal warning, modifying the licence conditions, excluding a licensable activity, removing the designated premises supervisor, suspending the licence for up to three months, or revoking the licence entirely.
The decision, reasons, and any legal guidance given during the subcommittee's discussion that has informed their decision will be confirmed in writing, together with information about any rights of appeal within five working days. The full transcript of the meeting is available on the Open Council Network.
It was stated by the Hafer Road Neighbourhood Watch that there had been ongoing licensing condition breaches, windows and doors being left open. However, it was clarified that there is no condition currently on the license, which imposes that on them. So, currently, they don't need to keep the windows and doors shut.
