Whiskey Bones closes after eight troubled years in NE Rochester
Whiskey Bones in Rochester has closed after eight years in business.
The night club's final day was Sunday. The following day, crews were spotted tearing apart the inside of the building, located just north of Shopko on County Road 33.
It's unclear whether owner Todd Powers plans to move the businesses somewhere else. However, we spoke to one former employee who described Whiskey Bones as a business struggling to keep up with its bills.
"The reason his business is closing is because [Powers] doesn't pay his bills, very simply put," said the employee, who agreed to discuss the matter on the condition of anonymity.
Last call for Whiskey Bone's Roadhouse in #RochMN. Closed last night. Crews tearing apart inside now. #KTTC pic.twitter.com/3WuvkaxVfc
— Devin Bartolotta (@highDEVinition) October 5, 2015
Opened in 2007, Whiskey Bones was known as much for its liquor and live music as it was brawls and fights. In 2013, the city council got involved after police responded to a couple big fights there, including one involving a shooting.
Whiskey Bones was also recently sued by Broadcast Music, Inc. — an organization that collects royalties on behalf of artists — for copyright infringement. The venue was apparently playing music without paying the licensing fees, which is illegal in almost any type of public setting.
According to an investigative report by KSTP-TV in the Twin Cities, a judge ordered Whiskey Bones to pay BMI $25,000 this past July. Several other Minnesota bars were also hit up with lawsuits.
Powers could not be reached for comment. The business has not updated its social media accounts since August.
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(Cover graphic: Whiskey Bones)
