Shreveport lounge mired by shootings and violations to remain shuttered through September

Ant's Urban Lounge will remain closed until at least mid-September, Shreveport's City Council voted Monday, citing a number of ordinance violations against the nightclub and community complaints about violence and other crime.

In April, Police Cheif Wayne Smith and Mayor Adrian Perkins signed off on revoking the club's liquor license for six months after a shootout devolved from a fist fight at around 2 a.m.

The Highlands-area club is an after-hours venue that opens at 1:30 a.m. and closes shortly before dawn.

“Even though there are many bars in this area, even though there are many issues in this area, this is the one I’ve gotten calls about," said Highlands Neighborhood Association president Madison Poche.

Other Highlands area residents complained about shootings, loud music through the night, cars racing, drug use and littering. 

The owners of Ant's appealed SPD's decision and hoped the city council would re-instate the license, but instead the council voted to keep the club completely closed for at least a few more months. 

"I just don't see you trying to open this club," said resident Carla Blanco. "This particular club seems like they're doing a lot more than partying."

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The council's decision, which was spurred by a motion from councilman John Nickelson and seconded by Grayson Boucher, wouldn't allow any path for Ant's re-opening until at least Sept. 12, while the SPD suspension keeps the nightclub without a liquor license until Oct. 20. All present council members agreed to the Sept. 12 extension.

According to an SPD sergeant who spoke at the Monday special session meeting about the club's license, Ant's ordinance violations include a failure to include security cameras, a refusal to allow inspection by the city and neglecting to hang a proper price list for drinks.

A lawyer for Ant's told council members at the meeting his client has agreed to keep the nightclub closed until at least Sept. 12, though the lawyer said he doesn't believe SPD "has the unilateral ability to suspend a license." 

Ant's Urban Lounge also goes by the name Fat Tuesdays. In a social media post, owner Antiona London said Ant's would eventually re-open as a private lounge for members only.

Kendrick Dante writes for the USA Today Network and is a government watchdog reporter in Shreveport, Louisiana. He enjoys cooking, concerts, and content. Email him at kdbrown1@gannett.com or connect on Twitter @kendrickdante.