Police Destroy Nearly 3,000 Containers of Alcohol While Raiding Illegal Indianapolis Nightclub

(Photos: Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department)

Police shut down an unlicensed nightclub on the northeast side of Indianapolis Monday and destroyed nearly 3,000 containers of alcohol after executing a search warrant tied to repeated violations and prior enforcement actions, the IMPD said Tuesday.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s Nuisance Abatement Unit, working alongside Indiana State Excise Police, raided The Playhouse, 3344 N. Arlington Ave. Officers said they found hundreds of bottles of alcohol and additional evidence confirming the location was operating as an illegal nightclub.

Detectives said they were already familiar with the owner, who previously operated an unlicensed after-hours bar across the street. That prior operation led to his arrest following a 2022 incident in which he and three other people were shot.

The Local Board voted to deny the permit, and the Indiana Alcohol Commission upheld the decision.

In June, detectives learned the location — operating under the name The Playhouse — was again functioning without the required permits. Investigators obtained a search warrant covering alcohol, business records, currency and other materials tied to nightclub operations.

On Monday, IMPD NAU detectives and the Indiana State Excise Police executed the search warrant and found hundreds of bottles of alcohol and additional evidence of illegal nightclub activity.

While the investigation remains ongoing, officials said the alcohol was destroyed on site. The Marion County Health Department Food Division also responded and issued a closure order for the property.

IMPD said it will continue working with city partners to identify nuisance properties and ensure businesses operate in compliance with local regulations, citing public safety and neighborhood quality of life as priorities.