INDReporter

ATC raid shutters Keg on McKinley

by Lyndsy Bradley

Local and state agents Thursday night raided The Keg, the popular college bar located in the area known as The Strip, leading to the (at least) temporary closure of the venue.

The McKinley Street Keg could be facing the permanent loss of its liquor license for selling alcohol to minors.
Photo by Robin May

[Editor's Note: This story has been updated to include additional details from an ATC press release.]

At about midnight Thursday, local and state agents raided The Keg, the popular McKinley Street bar, leading to the (at least) temporary closure of the venue - the second in the last four months.

Troy Hebert, commissioner of the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, confirmed to The IND that The Keg was issued multiple citations and an emergency suspension of its liquor license.

The Keg's alcohol license will remain revoked until its hearing in Baton Rouge within the next few weeks.

In a late November press conference with bar owners, ATC Commissioner Troy Hebert confirmed that the Keg was cited with four violations stemming from a months-long investigation. The McKinley Street nightclub's latest troubles could shut it down for good.
Photo by Robin May

"There's a very distinct possibility" the citations could lead to a permanent shutdown, Hebert tells The IND.

Following its Dec. 13 closure and $10,000 fine last year, The Keg reached a consent agreement with the ATC office to improve its compliance record and re-opened Jan. 13. Hebert says he hoped that would be the end of the problems, but last night's violations breached the agreement.

In late November Hebert confirmed that The Keg was among a number of clubs that had been cited as the result of a three-month sting operation ATC conducted. Other bars, nightclubs and restaurants with violations were the Arcadian (four violations), Bed Niteclub (five), Bootleggers (one), Jefferson Street Green Room (four), Fame (two), Frankie's (one), Heat (two), Karma Nightclub & Lounge (four), Nite Town (one), The Office Bar (three), Prime (one), The Rabbit Hole (four), Scotty's Ice House (two), Tsunami Sushi (one) and Tuffy's Quick Stop 2 (one).

After receiving recent complaints about minors on the premises and under-aged drinking, ATC agents went to The Keg Thursday night to investigate the allegations. The Keg was officially cited for three alcohol sales to persons 17 years old, two alcohol sales to persons under the age of 21, three minors allowed on premises and four minors in possession of alcohol (the latter were written criminal citations).

The Keg's manager, John Slaughter Jr., could not be reached for comment. His parents own the business.

Lafayette Police Department and UL Campus Police assisted ATC to ensure safety and security at the location.