Popular student hangout Reggie’s Bar in Tigerland is temporarily closing once again. District Judge Mike Caldwell dissolved a temporary restraining order July 11 that was allowing the bar to remain open after its liquor license was suspended June 27 due to a police sting that resulted in 37 citations.
State District Judge Timothy Kelley issued the restraining order that blocked the suspension July 3. Reggie’s will petition to have its liquor license reinstated at a hearing with the Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control July 13, and will be closed July 11 and July 12.
The Sting
On June 26, a joint sting operation conducted by the Baton Rouge Police Department, East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, the Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, LSUPD and the Alcoholic Beverage Control resulted in dozens of arrests at Reggie’s Bar. Among the 37 total citations issued, 20 were issued to minors without picture IDs, four for open container violations, nine for minor in possession, eight for use of a fake ID to enter and purchase alcohol, three for resisting arrest, one for simple battery on a police officer and one for disturbing the peace. The Baton Rouge Fire Department noted the establishment contained almost double its maximum occupancy. The sting triggered investigations by the ATC and ABC for other possible sanitation violations.
The raid was organized after authorities noticed an uptick in the number of teenagers in the parking lot on Monday nights, BRPD spokesperson Sgt. L’Jean McKneely said. Officers from the Juvenile Underage Drinking Enforcement team then spent three weeks surveilling the area before conducting the raid, according to a BRPD press release.
Liquor License Suspension
On June 29, a day after the sting was announced, the ATC’s records showed Reggie’s liquor license had been suspended. The license suspension, along with other sanitation violations under investigation, forced the bar’s closure. Speaking through an attorney to the Advocate, the bar’s owner promised changes were underway to remedy unsanitary condition violations. Reggie’s Class A license allowed the bar to sell alcohol, but no one under the age of 18 was allowed on the premises at any time. Twenty were cited for being under 18 in the sting.
Restraining Order
On July 3, State District Judge Timothy Kelley granted a temporary restraining order that allowed the bar to reopen Monday. Reggie’s shared the news on Twitter, along with several patrons praising the bar’s reopening. A court date was scheduled for July 11 to determine whether to lift the restraining order keeping the bar open. A separate hearing is scheduled for July 13 for Reggie’s to plead its case to have the liquor license reinstated. ATC Chief of Staff Ernest Legier said he still considered the bar’s license suspended.
Moving Forward
On July 11, Judge Michael Caldwell dissolved the temporary restraining order allowing Reggie’s to remain open. Judge Caldwell declined to comment for this story, stating he does not comment on ongoing cases. Caldwell also denied the bar’s request for a preliminary injunction against the ATC.
Reggie’s representation has stated that steps are being taken to address the sanitation and underage drinking issues. Attorney Kris Perret, speaking for the bar to The Advocate has said the establishment has been thoroughly cleaned and in its request for the restraining order, CB LLC (Reggie’s Bar’s parent company) has stated that it has been cleared to operate by the state’s Department of Health’s Office of Public Health and the Baton Rouge Fire Department.
Additionally, new ID scanners have been installed, as well as proper doors and locks, according to Perret. Security staff will also receive proper training to keep an eye on capacity. Reggie’s Bar refused to comment for this story.
