Adelaide’s Gin Joint, the once-popular Old North bar that closed unexpectedly earlier this summer, is now facing a legal battle.
The bar’s former general manager is suing the owners, alleging that they violated labor laws. The lawsuit, filed in June, came just weeks before the bar shuttered its doors without explanation. The suit names both owners and their company, though the owners have not been charged with any crimes.
The manager’s claims include breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and retaliation for refusing to commit what he says were illegal labor practices.
The former general manager, who started working at Adelaide’s Gin Joint in October 2023, claims in his lawsuit that he was wrongfully terminated after refusing to follow illegal labor practices. According to court documents, one of the owners allegedly called him in December 2023 with a strange request: cut an employee from the payroll and replace them with her son, who wasn’t even an official employee.
The former manager claims he was asked to pay the owner’s son under the table for less than minimum wage—something he refused to do because, well, that’s illegal.
The former manager also noted in his complaint that after refusing to go along with the plan, the owners became increasingly distant, leading up to his sudden termination just a few weeks later in December.
He received an email firing him, but no reason was given for his dismissal, and the termination letter didn’t mention any misconduct. According to the terms of his contract, if he were fired without cause, he was supposed to receive a $10,000 payout. That didn’t happen, which is a big part of why the lawsuit was filed.
The closure of Adelaide’s Gin Joint caught many by surprise, especially considering how quickly it became a beloved spot in the Old North neighborhood. Opening just a year prior, in October 2023, the bar made a name for itself with its unique gin-based drinks, cozy atmosphere, and live jazz performances. The sudden shutdown, paired with the ongoing legal battle, has left locals wondering what’s really going on behind the scenes.
The owners have remained silent since the lawsuit was filed and haven’t responded to inquiries from the press. Meanwhile, the assets of the bar, including its liquor license, fixtures, and all that fancy renovation work, are now up for sale for a fraction of the cost of the original investment. You can view the listing here.
