21st in Germantown to reopen after suspension for underage drinking, overserving customers

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A bar in the Schnitzelburg neighborhood will reopen this week after being shut down for a month due to underage drinking and overserving customers.

Louisville Metro Alcoholic Beverage Control reached a settlement agreement with 21st in Germantown following multiple violations in June.

"It's killed me, I mean brutal," said owner Robert Hudson. "Very costly, very expensive."

Hudson said the bar will reopen Wednesday after a 30-day suspension of its liquor license. 21st in Germantown was shut down by ABC on June 8, 2025, due to "serious violations involving underage drinking, overservice and public safety."

The business pleaded guilty to the violations and will pay a total of $10,000 in fines, along with an additional $31,000 held in abeyance for one year contingent on compliance.

"This was a relatively new issue, it just won't happen anymore," Hudson said.

Investigators saw a security guard alert customers and several "apparently underage individuals" to run out the back exit. The individuals were caught and admitted they come there because it's a known spot for underage drinking.

"I'll just take ABC's word on it, that's all," Hudson said.

Hudson said the bigger problem is people underage using fake IDs. He said some IDs are so good that scanners don't pick them up.

"I would never serve somebody who was underage realizing what the negative consequences of that could be," Hudson said. "We are going to double down. We are bringing trained security to double check on everything. Adversity makes you stronger sometimes, we are going to come back stronger with a different focus and be successful."

21st in Germantown will hold a welcome back party Wednesday.

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