At the conclusion of Reggie’s Bar’s clash with local law enforcement, the bar was penalized with an $8,000 fine and a 45-day liquor license suspension, a mere a slap on the wrist.
On June 27, several law enforcement agencies including the Baton Rouge and LSU Police Departments, the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office and the Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control Alcohol and Tobacco Control staged an undercover operation at Reggie’s Bar. The sting resulted in nearly three dozen citations issued and several health violations. The Baton Rouge Fire Department also noted the bar was filled to nearly double of the allowed capacity.
Reggie’s has made headlines in recent years for being a crime hotspot. In 2013, former LSU running back Jeremy Hill punched a man in the face in the bar’s parking lot. He was charged with simple battery and pled guilty, getting placed on probation as a result.In 2015, former LSU defensive tackle Trey Lealaimatafao was accused of going through an unconscious man’s pockets and punching the man’s girlfriend outside of Reggie’s. The bar has also been accused of having a dress code that promotes discrimination toward black patrons, banning certain clothing items seen as “ghetto” or “thug,” The Daily Reveille reported in 2015. Reggie’s also has a rebel flag hanging inside the bar.
Reggie’s is a shady place. Its reputation is not a positive one. After being subject to an investigation by law enforcement, it seems they’ve been caught engaging in all of the illegal actions they’ve been suspected of condoning from the start, yet they’re getting off scot-free. The bar is set to reopen on August 28, a week after students return to classes. They’ve also been fined, but I imagine the bar will make $8,000 in its first night open.
This is not a penalty for the bar. They will be forced to close during what would ostensibly be a slow time for them, and will suffer no real loss. As a result of the leniency shown toward Reggie’s, it learned no real lesson. Management can clean the bar, but whether or not they will actually enforce the law remains to be seen.
