Columbia’s Jay’s Bar & Grill Faces Temporary Closure After Underage Drinking Violations

Columbia’s Jay’s Bar & Grill Shuts Down for Ten Days Amid Controversy

In the heart of Columbia’s vibrant arts district, a familiar haunt is taking a break. Yes, folks, Jay’s Bar & Grill has announced a temporary closure for the next ten days, and it’s making quite a splash in the local news this holiday season!

Why the Sudden Closure?

Now, while the bar’s social media post hinted at some “minor construction” and repairs to water lines, there’s a bit more bubbling under the surface. This closure coincides with a ruling from an administrative law court judge who deemed that the bar had a serious problem with underage drinking. Talk about being caught with your hand in the cookie jar!

According to court records, Jay’s Bar & Grill has repeatedly sold alcohol to minors, including incidents where an undercover agent from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) busted them in the act! The bar’s lawyer, John Alphin, confirmed the suspension of the bar’s beer and wine permit, as well as its liquor license, which will remain in effect until December 15. The bar also had to cough up a hefty fine of $26,000.

A Troubling History

Delving into the bar’s past, it becomes clear that this isn’t an isolated incident. A news investigation uncovered a troubling pattern of disorder at Jay’s Bar & Grill. Between November 2022 and April 2024, the Columbia Police Department responded to a staggering 22 incidents reported at this single location. To put that in perspective, the bar had 162 calls to 911 made to its address throughout the first half of this year alone!

What makes this even more concerning is that police have categorized Jay’s as atypical compared to other establishments in the popular Vista area. So, let’s just say, it’s not exactly the neighborhood go-to spot for a cozy night out.

What Led to the Suspension?

In November, Judge Robert Reibold hit Jay’s Bar with a 35-day suspension after confirming that the bar had been repeatedly found serving alcohol to underage patrons. However, the judge offered the bar an option—a chance to reduce the suspension to just ten days if they paid an additional $25,000. It appears that the owner Jay Kalin opted to lighten the load, securing a quicker reopening date!

Just last month, on December 13, SLED issued another citation to the bar when an undercover agent, described merely as an “Agent Almond,” managed to buy a beer without the door staff checking their ID properly. Oops, right?

Steps Toward Improvement

Since all this drama unfolded, the employees at Jay’s Bar have been working hard to turn things around. They have introduced measures such as forensic scanners for more accurate ID checks, retraining staff, implementing guest wristbands to verify ages, and even building a higher fence to keep things legit. Talk about rolling up their sleeves!

However, insider reports have indicated that Kalin himself was once “confrontational” with law enforcement and wasn’t empowering his staff to take proactive measures until it became clear that the state was ready to suspend the bar’s license. This inconsistency in leadership certainly didn’t help their case.

Looking Ahead

As the closure winds down, Jay’s Bar & Grill is set to reopen its doors on December 16th at 8 p.m. After all the recent upheaval, it will be interesting to see how the establishment plans to shake off its checkered past and win back the trust of the community.

With local nightlife facing increased pressure, including rising costs and similar license suspensions at bars in the area, the situation at Jay’s is both a cautionary tale and a pivotal moment for the future of Columbia’s spirited evening scene.

Stay tuned, folks, because as the saying goes, “What happens in Columbia… well, tends to make the news!”