Tommy Benson is the bar owner; he didn't, and hasn't in a long time, fulfilled his obligations and duties to enforce the policies he is supposed to as such as required by law. Recently, Ryan Craig Bobbitt, a very dear and loved brother, son, and friend, was beaten with pool sticks and shot, while the body-guard hid behind the bar and called the cops, instead of doing his job and deescalating the fight. Bars ARE required to have security and more than one on duty at the time – one at the bar and one checking I.D.'s at the door, at least. A life has been lost partially due to the irresponsibility of a bar owner and this is why Nightlife needs to be shut down and hopefully, not recycled by another bar.

Nightlife is known around Rocky Mount for being a breeding ground for harm; a death trap is a better name. This particular incident regarding Ryan Craig Bobbitt is not the only time the law has been dispatched out to Nightlife. There's been many incidents of people being hit in the head with beer mugs and other incidents of shootings, not but a couple of weeks ago! Unfortunately, an innocent life had to be taken in order to take action. Many others who have been going and even working at Nightlife report that they do NOT check I.D's, they do NOT search you, they do NOT have any rules for underage drinking; not that they follow, at least. The shooter that killed Ryan Bobbitt was seventeen years old and drinking at the time. He left and reentered the bar with a gun. Where was security? There's poor management and their staff only has one body-guard active, all nights that they're open. One body-guard is not enough for an entire club, and this particular body-guard admits it he's the best security for 'slow-nights.'

§ 18B‑1000.  Definitions concerning establishments.
(5)        Private club. – An establishment that is organized and operated solely for a social, recreational, patriotic, or fraternal purpose and that is not open to the general public, but is open only to the members of the organization and their bona fide guests. This provision does not, however, prohibit such an establishment from being open to the general public for raffles and bingo games as required by G.S. 14‑309.11(a) and G.S. 14‑309.13. Except for bona fide religious organizations, no organization that discriminates in the selection of its membership on the basis of religion shall be eligible to receive any permit issued under this Chapter.



Rule 2S.0234(c) states, “An employee who is also a member of the private club shall not admit a patron as his guest while the employee is on duty.”




§ 18B‑1001.  Kinds of ABC permits; places eligible.

(1)        On‑Premises Malt Beverage Permit. – An on‑premises malt beverage permit authorizes the retail sale of malt beverages for consumption on the premises and the retail sale of malt beverages in the manufacturer's original container for consumption off the premises. It also authorizes the holder of the permit to ship malt beverages in closed containers to individual purchasers inside and outside the State. The permit may be issued for any of the following:

a.         Restaurants;

b.         Hotels;

c.         Eating establishments;

d.         Food businesses;

e.         Retail businesses;

f.          Private clubs;

g.         Convention centers;

h.         Community theatres.

The permit may also be issued to certain breweries as authorized by G.S. 18B‑1104(7).


(3)        On‑Premises Unfortified Wine Permit. – An on‑premises unfortified wine permit authorizes the retail sale of unfortified wine for consumption on the premises, either alone or mixed with other beverages, and the retail sale of unfortified wine in the manufacturer's original container for consumption off the premises. It also authorizes the holder of the permit to ship unfortified wine in closed containers to individual purchasers inside and outside the State. Orders received by a winery by telephone, Internet, mail, facsimile, or other off‑premises means of communication shall be shipped pursuant to a wine shipper permit and not pursuant to this subdivision. The permit may be issued for any of the following:

a.         Restaurants;

b.         Hotels;

c.         Eating establishments;

d.         Private clubs;

e.         Convention centers;

f.          Cooking schools;

g.         Community theatres;

h.         Wineries;

i.          Wine producers.

(10)      Mixed Beverages Permit. – A mixed beverages permit authorizes the retail sale of mixed beverages for consumption on the premises. The permit also authorizes a mixed beverages permittee to obtain a purchase‑transportation permit under G.S. 18B‑403 and 18B‑404, and to use for culinary purposes spirituous liquor lawfully purchased for use in mixed beverages. The permit may be issued for any of the following:

a.         Restaurants;

b.         Hotels;

c.         Private clubs;

d.         Convention centers;

e.         Community theatres;

f.          Nonprofit organizations; and

g.         Political organizations.