Louisville bar shut down for underage drinking, arrest of 'severely impaired' driver

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A bar in Louisville's Germantown neighborhood was shut down by city officials over the weekend due to "serious violations involving underage drinking, overservice and public safety."

Louisville Metro Alcoholic Beverage said in a news release Tuesday its detectives inspected 21st in Germantown just after midnight June 8 after a "pattern" of violations including underage drinking and the arrest of a "severely impaired" driver who'd just left the bar.

"We expect all business owners to be responsible and follow the law and, in this case, there is a clear pattern of violations," Mayor Craig Greenberg said in a news release. "I'm thankful to our ABC officers for their work to keep our community safe by preventing overservice and drunk driving."

When Metro ABC detectives arrived late Saturday night, they said they saw the security guard alert patrons to their presence, at which point several "apparently underage individuals" ran out the back exit. Three were detained, and Metro ABC said all were consuming alcohol at 21st in Germantown and told detectives they'd come from outside Jefferson County believing the bar would give them easy access to alcohol.

"Repeated disregard for the law and public safety demands a strong response," Brad Silveria, director of Metro ABC, said in a news release. "Violations involving underage drinking and overservice are taken very seriously. Establishments that serve alcohol are expected to operate responsibly, and when they don't, we will take action."

Metro ABC issued an Emergency Suspension Order for 21st in Germantown, meaning the bar has to stop selling all alcohol until further notice.

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