Bar owners told to pipe down

The owners of Boodler's Bar and Grubshack in the Gardnerville Ranchos have 30 days to turn down the volume or possibly lose their liquor license.

Responding to noise complaints by neighbors since the bar opened a year ago, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners suspended the bar's license to play live music for 30 days and asked that owners get a sound engineer to reduce the level of noise coming from the bar.

After 30 days, the board will reconsider Boodler's cabaret/discotheque liquor license, which allows live music and liquor sales. During the suspension, Boodler's will still be able to sell alcohol.

Assistant District Attorney Michael McCormick asked the board to revoke the owners' liquor license, saying the sheriff's office has received almost 50 noise complaints.

"The fact that we've had to send sheriff's deputies almost 50 times is unthinkable," McCormick said. "A liquor license is a privilege, not a right."

McCormick cited letters from neighbors and noise complaint calls, most from Wheeler Way resident Travis McCalla.

"I have tried to work with them multiple times," McCalla said. "I just request that something be done."

Wheeler Way residents Donna and Greg Juchtzer wrote to complain about "noise, intoxicated pedestrians, intoxicated drivers, family disputes and drinkers underage."

Lawyer Evan Beavers, attorney for the owners, said they have been trying to work with residents near Boodler's and had sound-proofed the bar.

"I think it's a gross overstatement to say Boodler's has been nothing but a problem since it opened," Beavers said.

Owner Jeffery Shackleton and partner Keith Endlich said they have been doing their best to communicate with McCalla and other neighbors who have had noise complaints.

Commissioner Kelly Kite said he expects owners to take action on the noise complaints within the 30-day suspension period or face revocation of their license.

"I want to send a message here that something better be done," Kite said.