HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) — The future of a popular Hampton restaurant and lounge is in the air after the city’s Planning Commission voted Thursday to recommend that City Council revoke the facility’s use permit following several violent incidents.

Hampton Police and city officials cited a lack of security and crowd management among other issues Chances Restaurant and Lounge has been dealing with.

“It’s unfortunate that we have to do this, but I do think its necessary,” Hampton Planning Commission Chair Michael A. Harris said.

A Hampton Police officer shared during a presentation that “there has been public concern brought on by the fights and firearm related offenses.”

That Hampton officer laid out several instances of violence happening outside of Chances in a presentation, even playing a video of the moments gunshots rang out in front of the facility during a recent shooting. The officer also noted the increasing police presence the business calls for, which pulls police manpower from other parts of the city.

“Extraordinary efforts for a business that hasn’t really changed its mode of operation since October of 2024 and hasn’t shown signs that they’ll be doing that in a meaningful way to protect their own patrons,” Hampton Police said.

The most severe of the violent incidents happened in May when a man was shot and killed near the property. That homicide is still under investigation.

Since then, the business’ liquor license has been revoked — the business confirmed that in an Instagram post. In the post, the business said in part, “Family, we want to be transparent with you. Due to incidents that happened outside of our doors involving the behavior of some individuals after leaving Chances, ABC has made the decision to revoke our liquor license.”

The offenses are why officials are calling for Chances use permit to revoked. The use permit is the permit the business needs to operate, and city officials want it revoked due to the mounting permit conditions violations.

“It’s become a safety issue,” Harris said.

Ultimately, the Planning Commission voted to recommend the revocation. The matter will now go before City Council.

The restaurant owner was not at Thursday’s hearing, and 10 On Your Side contacted a phone number and address that was found for the owner, but neither pointed to the actual owner.

10 On Your Side also reached out to the business’ Instagram account for comment, but have not heard back. A visit to the restaurant also led to more questions, as mail was piled up and a failure to pay taxes notice was on the door.

“I think it’s important to talk to them face-to-face to get their point of view because there may be some underlying things that we haven’t seen or heard of, and we didn’t get that clarity today, so that’s unfortunate” Harris said.

Hampton City Council will discuss, and possibly vote on, the revocation decision at its upcoming council meeting Oct. 22.

For a full look at the presentation, click here.