LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville Metro Alcohol Beverage Control is cracking down on a business it said is posing as a restaurant when it's actually functions as a strip club.
Louisville Metro ABC said Market Street Bar and Grill, located at 319 E. Market St. in NuLu, was doing business as "Thee Gentlemen's Club."
This week, ABC just revoked the business' liquor license, saying the club violated the city's nudity ordinance.
According to ABC detectives, the business' Facebook page is full of posts that display half-dressed women and stripping poles. The Facebook page also has fliers talking about parties and a grand opening.
ABC regulations state that a business operating as a restaurant must have 50% of its sales from food and alcohol.
ABC said it found there were no servers, tables for dining, kitchen staff or food storage at Market Street Bar and Grill. The inspector said there was only a menu which offered pizza and he found 10 frozen pizzas at the location.
And just four days ago, the club posted an updated menu online that included more food options.
"From ABC's estimation, they didn't serve an adequate amount of food and they applied for a license in which they said they were going to serve food and really, all they served is dances," ABC Director Brad Silveria said.
ABC detectives said they also went undercover inside the club with a hidden camera and saw nudity.
The business is owned by Elizabeth Johnson, and ABC said Johnson testified that dancers were used to attract more business. ABC also said Johnson testified that she spent $10,000 on the kitchen, including two pizza ovens.
The business told ABC that dancers are independent contractors, and they're required to comply with all local ordinances.Â
ABC said signs are posted in the locker room there about the ordinance prohibiting nudity.
The owners of the business and their attorneys haven't replied to a request for comment.
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