Will Clifton residents be able to hold their liquor? Alcohol beverage sales on the ballot

Some voters in Clifton and Clifton Heights had a unique question to answer on their ballot Tuesday: "Are you in favor of the sale of alcoholic beverages in Jefferson County precinct N163?"

The proposed measure was put on the ballot after a successful petition started by neighbors, who associate crime and nuisance behavior with the presence of Virtue Bar and Lounge.

The restaurant, nightclub and hookah bar moved to a building off Brownsboro Road a little over a year ago. If the neighbors vote to make the precinct dry, it would force Virtue Bar to stop selling alcohol, move or go out of business.

But the owner of the bar and some council members previously said they aren't convinced that a dry vote is the right solution to solve the neighborhood's problems.

Election results: Follow the local and state voting results by clicking here

Regardless, if more than half the N163 voters selected "no" at the polls, the district will go dry 60 days "from the date of the entry of the certificate of the county board of election commissioners in the order book of the county/judge executive," according to state law.

More: How many neighbors does it take to ban alcohol sales? What a Louisville bar is facing

For Virtue Bar, this would mean losing about 40% of its revenue, owner Toney Frank previously told The Courier Journal.

"We are trying to stay optimistic about the upcoming vote," Frank said. "Virtue Bar and Lounge is a hub for a lot of culture catalysts, community events and provides not only income but a place the community feels welcome."

There is a Family Dollar in the same plaza that sells beer. Its ABC license would be stripped if the precinct votes in favor of becoming dry.

Another prospective business would not be able to open. Marathon Liquor has filed several applications to operate a liquor store next to the bar. If N163 becomes dry, this business model would be illegal.

This story will be updated.

Reach reporter Eleanor McCrary at EMcCrary@courier-journal.com or at @ellie_mccrary on X, formerly known as Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville precinct faces wet, dry vote from N163 alcohol measure