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Kollege Klub recommended for suspension

The Alcohol License Review Committee approved Thursday a stipulated agreement between the downtown bar Kollege Klub, the city of Madison and the Madison Police Department.

MPD filed a complaint against the bar, seeking a suspension or revocation of the bar’s liquor license. After a series of meetings between assistant city attorney Jennifer Zilavy and KK owner Bruce Meier, the MPD agreed to withdraw its request.

In order for the MPD to withdraw its request, Meier agreed to allow various conditions to be applied to the KK’s liquor license.

These conditions include having the bar’s liquor license suspended from Dec. 13, 2009 to January 11, 2010; using black lights for fake identification detection; increased training for staff on liquor laws; managing the line outside of its establishment; and being proactive in contacting police for violent disturbances at the bar.

The police sought punitive action against the KK during the renewal process earlier this year, but a communication breakdown among city officials let the KK off the hook.

While the police department debated waiting until the KK’s license renewal next year to take action, Zilavy said they were not comfortable with waiting that long and therefore filed the complaint now.

According to the police complaint, there have been several instances of liquor law violations since 2007, including violent disturbances, underage patrons being at the bar and selling liquor to intoxicated customers.

“It’s embarrassing, it’s humbling,” Meier said. “I completely respect the police department, the city attorney’s office and this committee. I have no one to blame but myself.”

Meier said he will take other actions not mandated by the agreement to ensure compliance with liquor laws.

For example, Meier said he will stop booking a DJ for his bar double the security staff, forgo drink specials on weekends and hire a third party company to evaluate his bar and its operations.

“Meier has been cooperative and enthusiastic about making changes,” said Sgt. Anthony Fiore, the MPD officer who filed the complaint against the KK.

Meier said he is currently the most comfortable he’s felt in dealing with the MPD, adding open communication exists with the police that was not present before.

The decision of the ALRC will be voted on by the City Council in its first meeting in September.

10 Comments | Leave a comment

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awww. what a bummer.

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ah, now that the 18 yr olds are gone, who are all of the football players going to hook up with, that was their only chance of getting laid…..

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Throwing the baby out with the bath water here, don’t you think? They could just address the recurring fights by proactively involving the police when those situations arise.

Sucks that the 99.9% of us who are law-abiding drinkers and just want to have a good time now get our DJ and weekend drink specials stripped away from us.

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That’s the point- collectivist idiots punishing everyone for the actions of a few. Meier is being a good little plebeian, getting on his knees and begging his masters not to hurt him too hard and then thanking them when he gets less lashes than originally threatened.

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This is funny. The Kollege Klub is all minors and athletes. It’s kind of funny. I never go there because it’s way to ghetto. I would like them to keep their license so that all the ghettoness is collected in one place. Thanks that’s all for now! Have a fantastic day!

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thus again proving madison has a real black problem

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Cuz there are no other bars in Madison.

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Guess you’ll just have to head over the the Velvet now

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“According to the police complaint, there have been several instances of liquor law violations since 2007, including violent disturbances, underage patrons being at the bar and selling liquor to intoxicated customers.” Does anyone else wonder how a bar is going to make money if they are not able to sell liquor to intoxicated customers?

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Can’t they just pay the cops off to let them go? The bouncers are already pretty familiar with bribery.

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