City revokes Camelot East strip club’s liquor license

Lexington’s Alcoholic Beverage Control administrator has revoked the liquor license of Camelot East because of criminal activity in the area around the strip club, which sits off Richmond Road near Patchen Drive.

Additionally, Camelot West, which has a local ABC hearing scheduled for the coming weeks, voluntarily closed last month, Lexington police spokeswoman Brenna Angel said.

Two other Lexington establishments, Paradise City and Club Envy, also have charges placed or hearings pending, Angel said.

“Any business with a license to sell alcohol — whether it’s an adult entertainment establishment, nightclub, bar or restaurant — is required to meet certain standards and follow the law,” Angel said in a statement. “That’s important for the safety of patrons and the surrounding neighborhoods. If a business is contributing to disorderly activity, we are going to investigate and take action.”

In an order dated May 5, Lexington-Fayette Urban County ABC Administrator Frank F. Wilson II ordered Camelot East’s license revoked because of “disorderly premises” in which patrons were “fighting or shots fired.” He also cited other violations including a “foreign bottle of alcohol” and a gun on the premises, as well as “service to intoxicated persons” and patrons fighting.

He ordered a $50 fine because of the foreign bottle of alcohol, as well as “controlled substance on premises,” “allowed smoking on premises,” and a violation of “Responsible Beverage Server Training.”

A hearing in the matter was held April 26. Camelot East has 30 days to appeal the decision, and it can continue to serve alcohol during that time.

Angel said the business has indicated that it plans to appeal, but the appeal had not yet been submitted. A manager at the establishment declined to comment Saturday.

Police have been called to Camelot East for several shootings over the past six months.

In February, Laroz Lee Mitchell, 23, died of multiple gunshot wounds. It was the second time shots had been fired at Camelot East that month. No injuries were reported in the earlier shooting, but a window was damaged at nearby Sheabel Veterinary Hospital.

In November, William Thornton, 30, died after being found lying in the club’s parking lot with a gunshot wound to the head. A second man was shot in the chest at the same time.

This story was originally published May 14, 2016 at 8:59 PM with the headline "City revokes Camelot East strip club’s liquor license."