The Omaha City Council on Tuesday made two recommendations regarding liquor licenses for downtown businesses on 16th Street. Neither decision favors the business.

Council members made the recommendation to deny a liquor license for the Oasis Hookah Bar, located between Harney and Farnam. The owners want to sell any beverage but state law requires it to become a cigar bar to do so. In order to be a cigar bar, it must also have a liquor license.

The council voted 7-0 to recommend denial.

During the public hearing, neighbors -- upset with the alleged disturbances from Silhouettes Lounge -- told the council they feared the same problems would carry into Oasis if it had a liquor license. Silhouettes is across the street from Oasis.

The neighbors played video of when Omaha Police have been called to break up the big crowds from Silhouettes at closing time. The bar's owner denied the allegations -- chalking up the complaints to what happens outside any nightclub in a city.

In the end, the Council passed a resolution to require the business to file a long-form renewal. Basically, it means the owner needs to meet more requirements to keep the liquor license -- including a long-form hearing sometime in April or May. Councilman Ben Gray voted against the hearing.

Even though the city council makes a recommendation, the Nebraska Liquor Commission makes its own decision regarding the license.

It's not unusual for the state to reach a different conclusion.