LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A controversial Louisville bar is at risk of losing its liquor license after a state agency filed a notice of violation against the owner.
According to documents, obtained through an open records request, the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control is seeking to revoke Cafe 360's ability to sell alcohol for an alleged violation on May 17.
The state ABC writes that at about 4:40 a.m. that night, Louisville Metro Police was called to a fight at the bar. The agency said the fight escalated, leading to a person removing "a loaded firearm from his jacket pocket and aimed it at an opposing party." The suspect with the gun was charged with wanton endangerment and possession of a loaded firearm in a room where alcohol is served.
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The state ABC said Cafe 360 failed to uphold the terms of an agreement with Louisville Metro ABC to "deploy metal detecting wands" to be used as people entered the bar and to hire security on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays.
According to state records, Cafe 360 did not have off-duty law enforcement personnel working when authorities arrived on May 17, resulting in criminal activity occurring on the property.
It comes as the Louisville Metro ABC posted its own notices of a “criminal activity nuisance violation” on Cafe 360's door in June. Metro ABC said it's going to put its case on hold pending the outcome on the state's effort.
Cafe 360 has been a point of contention since a deadly shooting broke out inside the business back on March 3 in the midst of a fight. After the incident, city officials said the bar's owner voluntarily agreed to stop serving alcohol after 2 a.m.
Earlier this month, city Codes & Regulations confirmed they proposed that the business forfeit its 2 a.m. liquor license, which would cut off alcohol sales at midnight.
"There are consequences, and once those lines are set up, there is no option. You either have to enforce it, or have the chaos that we have had in the past," Aaron Givhan, president of the Highlands Commerce Guild, said. "That's why it's sad -- this is not a victory. It is a lack of awareness that compliance has many ways to gain."
The Louisville Metro ABC said the state's case will take priority and the city's case is on hold pending the outcome.
A prehearing conference in the state's investigation is set for September 18.
WHAS11 has reached out to Cafe 360's owner, but they have not yet responded. This story will be updated once they do.
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