An attorney representing Mak's Old City Hall Lounge says a judge and the city of Coos Bay are going too far in recommending denial of the night club's liquor license renewal.

The owners installed security cameras, hired security officers with lists of past trouble makers and bought a Breathalyzer to test people suspected of drinking before arriving. And of the 60,000 patrons served at the bar since it got its license in June 2007, only about 100 caused problems.

Coos Bay police say they have responded to about 85 alcohol-related calls in the area around Mak's in the past year. But attorney James Monsebroten says not all of those calls should be associated with Mak's.

He noted that some of the calls stem from incidents outside the bar, caused by men who were denied access to Mak's.

"I think Mak's had taken steps to avoid those kinds of things," he said. "They were trying to avoid catering to fighters."

An administrative law judge didn't think it was enough. He issued a ruling last month, finding the bar had a history of serious and persistent problems and recommended canceling the liquor license. He also found one of the licensees, Gregory Rudolfs, had pushed a patron, grabbed the patron by the throat and pushed himself off the man's face. The judge also found that bar employees had served alcohol to a minor.

At the urging of Police Chief Rodger Craddock, the Coos Bay City Council voted last week to recommend denial of the license. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission will decide the bar's fate on Aug. 20.

At a four-day hearing in April, Monsebroten argued the problems at Mak's didn't constitute serious problems. Whereas shootings and other serious injuries have occurred at other Coos County bars, Mak's never had an incident involving a serious felony assault or firearm. If those other bars weren't asked to forfeit their licenses, Mak's shouldn't either, Monsebroten said.

The licensees proposed a 30- or 60-day suspension and fine. Monsebroten said he was disappointed the judge went straight to the harshest penalty.

"It's unfortunate that there wasn't more of a compromise decision," he said.

Regarding the incident involving Rudolfs, Monsebroten said his client pleaded no contest to a harassment violation. And the minor who got alcohol at the bar apparently used her older sister's ID to gain entrance. At least that's what security guards said, Monsebroten said.