The licence for Dunedin's Carousel bar has been opposed because of overcrowding and the ''suitability'' of its operator.
The Dunedin district licensing committee hearing next week will also hear concerns about how the bar's operator responded to two incidents of fighting and intoxication.
In a memorandum to be tabled at the hearing, committee secretary Kevin Mechen outlined the concerns which caused licensing inspector Tony Mole to oppose the licence.
Mr Mechen outlined incidents which the inspector believed raised questions over the ''suitability'' of licence-holder Eastern Lights Ltd, which is run by John Devereux.
The memorandum detailed several occasions when the bar's maximum occupancy of 50 people, set out in a fire engineer's report, had been exceeded.
Visits from police found there were about 80 people at the bar on Friday, December 5, and between 120 and 150 people there the following night.
East Otago fire risk management officer Michael Harrison and council building compliance officer Heddy Veldkamp visited the bar on December 10, during which Mr Devereux said he was aware of the maximum occupancy, but bar staff were allowed to fill it up to a ''comfortable'' number, which he said was ''100ish''.
''The applicant appears to have failed to understand the seriousness of allowing the numbers to exceed the maximum as determined by the fire engineer,'' Mr Mechen said.
The building's occupancy was limited so if the building was evacuated there was ''some certainty'' its occupants would be able to leave safely.
Mr Devereux also declined to attend a meeting to discuss two incidents relating to fights and intoxication.
The applicant's response to a request for a meeting ''is not what is expected of a licensee''.
Mr Devereux declined to comment ahead of the hearing.
