Roach Infestation Closes Broadway Ale House

The Broadway Ale House refuses to grow up.

There were its identity crises, its foray with drugs, and now, we learn, it can’t keep its room clean.

The downtown bar is closed temporarily for at least the second time this year because of a vermin infestation, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Health.

The culprit, according to the closure notice posted Sept. 11, is cockroaches.

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The state Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control stripped the business' original owner of her beer and wine license earlier this year in response to criminal allegations that she sold cocaine from the location, and alcohol to an underage decoy.

In May, it closed for two days because of vermin "harborage" and "infestation." The next month, however, it received an "A" grade from county health inspectors, according to online records.

The bar is changing ownership, and a new name is forthcoming. Before it reopens, however, the owners will have to eradicate the bugs. Originally called the Fifth Amendment, its new name will be The Commons.

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