[Kreweoftruth] ABO: 711 Bourbon is Public Nuisance

[kreweoftruth at kreweoftruth.net]

City Takes Action Against Scofflaw Bar!
ABO Board Finds that 711 Bourbon Street Was a Public Nuisance






In a major victory for residents of the French Quarter as well as neighborhoods across the city, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board yesterday found that 711 Bourbon, aka Bourbon Heat, had violated the law against public nuisances.  While the formal written judgment has yet to be filed, the following punishments were issued verbally to the defendant, owner and operator Angelo Farrell, yesterday:

-    $500 fine (maximum allowed by law) 
-    No employees of the establishment shall be allowed outside.  That includes barkers, dancers, and employees selling alcohol on the sidewalk or in the street
-    There shall be no speakers in the courtyard
-    When there is amplified music in the establishment, all doors and windows except for the front door must remain closed

The board went further, and told Mr. Farrell that any violations would result in another ABO hearing, at which point, if found guilty, the minimum penalty would be a 120-day suspension of his liquor license, and a maximum would be revocation of the license.

City attorney Dan McNamara did an outstanding job keeping the focus on the numerous violations that had been well-documented by many neighbors, several of whom testified as to the unbearable all-night-long noise, the harassment by barkers, the unpermitted events in the courtyard, and the general refusal of 711 Bourbon to be a good neighbor. 

The troubles at this location began in the fall of 2009, when the owner, Mr. Farrell, undertook major work to the building without any mechanical, electrical, life safety or Vieux Carré Commission permits.  He also began to use a residentially-zoned shotgun house on neighboring Orleans Street as a beer storage facility, and even cut a hole in the courtyard wall between that building and the 711 Bourbon property.  (VCPORA documented much of this - click here, here, here and here for our posts).   The work continued in violation of three stop work orders from the city.  A fourth order, and a court appearance, finally got resolution. 

However, once the club opened, new problems surfaced.  On weekends with major events, the owner erected stages and tents in the courtyard, again without permits and in violation of zoning codes that prohibit live entertainment outside for obvious reasons.  Even when the club was forced by the city to obey that law, rear doors and windows – on both the first and second floors – were open, blasting sound across rooftops and into the homes of dozens of French Quarter residents, some who have lived in their homes for decades.  One resident was even forced to move out of her home. 


Yesterday’s decision by the ABO sends a strong message to scofflaw operators that the city will take firm action against them.  They are to be commended for taking such a firm stance. 


But we really want to thank YOU, our members, for your support!  It’s because of you that we can 

be the watchdog that follows an issue like this for years 
spend time working with neighbors to document and research
get the word out to you, our members, and others in the community
attend meeting after meeting after meeting on this kind of case

and be vigilant about protecting and preserving the 
French Quarter as a neighborhood, where businesses and 
residents can coexist as they have for almost 300 years. 



THANK YOU! 



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cheron brylski
the brylski company
3418 coliseum street
new orleans, louisiana 70115
cbrylski at aol.com
504.897.6110
504.460.1468 cell
504.897.0778 fax
www.brylskicompany.com
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