The "world famous" Big Al's Speakeasy will close up until a new owner takes over operations.
Peoria Mayor Rita Ali on Friday afternoon said the city is suspending the adult club's liquor license after a series of violent incidents over the past couple years, including an October 2023 shooting that saw a bouncer injured, a January use of force incident, and another shooting in July that led to the arrests of the club's manager and her boyfriend.
Ali said current owner Kenneth Kummerow will sell the strip club under an agreement with the city. The owners will also plead guilty to "a charge of illegal activities" and pay a $3,000 a month fine until the club is sold off, Ali said.
Ali, who is also the city's liquor commissioner, said the new owner will operate as a Class A establishment with no sub-class business license, and the business will be required to close at 1 a.m., for at least six months. The club was closing at 4 a.m. under its current license.
"Sometimes in my role as Liquor Commissioner, I have to make decisions that are based on the safety and well-being of our community members," Ali said in a statement.
Ali said the agreement resolves the pending disciplinary charges against the establishment, but said criminal charges against individuals are separate from the agreement.
The business was founded in 1974. The club's long-time owner, Al Zuccarini, died in 2015 after a fall. The club was relocated from Main Street to a new spot on Jefferson in 2012 when the old building was demolished to make way for the new Marriott hotel.
