The Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control Board has upheld its decision to revoke the liquor license of an adult entertainment club in North Little Rock after citing a pattern of violations spanning several years.
Following an 11-hour review, the board voted unanimously to uphold its January decision to revoke the license of the Peppermint Hippo.
Officials with the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration said the decision stems from multiple violations, some dating back to a 2021 incident involving the death of a patron.
According to officials, John Ribeiro had been served 21 drinks at the club during the early morning hours of Nov. 15, 2021, before being removed from the premises. Ribeiro was later struck and killed by a vehicle on Interstate 40.
A subsequent civil case prompted renewed scrutiny from regulators.
Investigations by the ABC, including an undercover operation, identified additional violations, including improper physical contact between entertainers and patrons. Similar issues were documented as recently as April 2025.
State officials said the violations raised concerns about public safety and the club’s responsibility to operate within regulations.
Attorneys for the club argued the revocation would significantly harm the business and suggested the establishment had been unfairly targeted. State officials, however, said the enforcement actions were consistent with how similar violations would be handled elsewhere.
The North Little Rock location was one of two Peppermint Hippo clubs in Arkansas holding alcohol permits.
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