Columbia’s Jay’s Bar & Grill Ordered to Temporarily Close Amid Underage Drinking Violations
In the heart of Columbia’s vibrant arts district, Jay’s Bar & Grill is taking a break from the bustling nightlife scene. Don’t worry, it’s not the end for this popular spot, but it will be closed for the next 10 days following a recent ruling related to multiple incidents of underage drinking.
For those who aren’t aware, the bar announced its brief closure on Instagram, claiming that some minor construction and repairs to water lines were necessary. However, this announcement comes just as an administrative law court judge suspended the bar’s beer and wine permit as well as its liquor license due to serious violations involving underage customers.
The Background of the Situation
Owner Jay Kalin found himself in a tight spot after it was determined that the bar unlawfully served alcohol to underage patrons on numerous occasions, including a 19-year-old working with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. The court revealed a long history of trouble at Jay’s, with 22 incidents reported to the Columbia Police Department from November 2022 to April 2024. That’s just shy of an average of one complaint every month!
Additionally, the bar has racked up a staggering 162 calls to 911 between January 2023 and June 2024, with law enforcement stating that most of these were related to Jay’s, painting a picture of a troubled establishment. Michael Crowley, a police inspector, remarked that the large volume of incidents at Jay’s is quite unusual when compared to other establishments in the Vista area.
Costly Consequences
As a direct result of these violations, Kalin was handed a hefty $26,000 fine and a court-ordered closure. In a ruling made in November, Judge Robert Reibold initially proposed a 35-day suspension of the bar’s alcohol license, which could have left many employees out of work. However, the judge allowed for an option to reduce the suspension to just 10 days if Kalin paid an additional $25,000.
In the courtroom, it became clear that the bar had no shortage of issues. Court documents indicated that during its operations, SLED (South Carolina Law Enforcement Division) issued 80 citations to patrons for various alcohol and ID violations.
Steps in the Right Direction
Despite the negative reputation, Kalin and his team have since made some attempts to rectify the situation. Improvements have included purchasing forensic scanners for checking IDs, retraining staff, limiting guest entry numbers, and even introducing wristbands for age verification.
However, Judge Reibold expressed that these changes only came about after threats of serious repercussions, indicating that they may not have been genuinely motivated by a desire to correct the issues at hand.
The bar, which provides jobs for 42 employees with monthly payroll expenses clocking in at between $40,000 and $60,000, is hoping that taking these steps will ensure a brighter future.
What’s Next for Jay’s?
As we all look forward to the reopening of Jay’s Bar & Grill on December 16th at 8 PM, many are speculating how this situation will affect the nightlife scene in Columbia. With other bars in the vicinity going through similar license challenges due to increased liquor liability insurance costs, it raises questions about the future of nighttime fun in the Vista.
While the time off might be uncomfortable for Jay’s, it’s also a timely reminder for all establishments in Columbia that serving alcohol responsibly is critical—not just for business, but for the safety of the community.
Stay tuned, folks! We’ll have our eyes on Jay’s Bar & Grill as they make their comeback—and let’s hope they come back better and stronger than ever!
