Photo by Yostinator
The popular U Street NW jazz spot Bohemian Caverns and its attached bar and restaurant, Tap and Parlour, were ordered closed on Saturday morning by the Metropolitan Police Department after an alleged sexual assault there.
The club was shut in the early hours of Saturday after a female complainant told officers she had been the victim of a sexual attack shortly after Bohemian Caverns closed for the night. According to letters issued by D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier, the victim and others, who are friends of the manager, were allowed inside for an after-hours drink. The victim then went to sleep on the bar at the Tap and Parlour, and later woke up to find an unknown man allegedly assaulting her, according to the letters.
Under D.C. law, police can suspend the liquor license of any bar or restaurant where a crime takes place for a minimum of 96 hours and until the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board reviews the case. The nightclub Indulj was temporarily closed last week after three men were wounded in a shooting outside the venue.
As a result of the closing, Bohemian Caverns has had to cancel several shows on its calendar, including tonight’s by artist-in-resident Herb Scott. The jazz club will be among the topics on tomorrow’s ABC Board meeting agenda, and if it is cleared, it will be permitted to re-open tomorrow evening.
Omrao Brown, who owns Bohemian Cavern, did not respond to DCist’s request for comment, though he did tell Washington City Paper that he and his employees are cooperating with the investigation.
Notices of Closure:
