EXCLUSIVE: Kelly’s Taproom Cited; Facing Pressure From Multiple Parties – The Villanovan

Kelly’s Taproom in Bryn Mawr, PA, is under an active investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Board of Liquor Control Enforcement (BLCE), The Villanovan has learned.

The bar, which is frequented by Villanova University students, was served a citation in mid-May, which listed a multitude of alleged violations, and was an attempt to shut down the establishment, Kelly’s owner Gene Mitchell told The Villanovan. On top of the active investigation by State Police, Kelly’s is also facing ongoing pressure from Lower Merion Township commissioners and local community members, regarding serving underage patrons, excess noise and providing unlimited drinks at a set price.

The State Police confirmed the active investigation to The Villanovan in an email, which stated, “the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) is leading an investigation involving the establishment.”

Because this is an active investigation, a spokesperson told The Villanovan the State Police could not comment any further on the situation.

Kelly’s management informed Villanova seniors on Senior Sendoff Night, Wednesday, May 20 – a week after the citation was issued — that the bar might be forced to close down in the near future. The “Senior Sendoff Night” or “White Out Night” is an annual night exclusively for graduating Villanova seniors.

The night featured a $20 flat fee that provided each senior with a t-shirt and two drink tickets. It was a change from previous years, which featured a $40 fee for a t-shirt and unlimited drinks.

According to 40 Pa. Code § 13.102, retail licensees are prohibited from engaging in “the sale or serving, or both, of an unlimited or indefinite amount of liquor, wine, or malt or brewed beverages for a set price” with an exception that “the sale or serving, or both, of an unlimited or indefinite amount of liquor, wine, or malt or brewed beverages for a fixed price for catered events which have been arranged at least 24 hours in advance.”

According to Mitchell, this year’s Senior Sendoff Night complied with BLCE regulations.

Mitchell was “surprised” by the citation that was issued to the bar.

“Kelly’s is aware of the challenges it faces every day and dealing with college students,” Mitchell said in interview with The Villanovan. “Now, we are aware of the perceived issue of the White Out Night, but that’s already been approved by the State Police.”

Mitchell believes Kelly’s is being targeted by township commissioners — specifically Commissioner V. Scott Zelov — and two or three community members.

Zelov, who serves Lower Merion Township’s Ward 10, has been on the Board of Commissioners since 2006 and was reelected in November to a sixth term.

According to the current Lower Merion Ward map, Kelly’s is located within the boundaries of Commissioner Christine McGuire’s Ward 6, which is directly adjacent to the boundary line of Zelov’s Ward 10.

Kelly’s Taproom is located in Lower Merion’s Ward 6 and is on the boundary line of Ward 10.

The Villanovan reached out to Zelov and McGuire for interviews, but they instead provided a joint written statement that Zelov sent by email.

“Kelly’s is regulated by the PA Liquor Control Board and is thus required to follow their rules,” Zelov and McGuire said in the statement. “For example, it is illegal in PA to serve minors, operate with excessive noise and to serve an unlimited amount of alcohol for a set price. Kelly’s should know the rules and thus is responsible for following them. Kelly’s future is in their hands.”

In a follow-up email, Zelov wrote, “To be clear, [McGuire and I] and the Lower Merion Police are not targeting Kelly’s.”

According to Mitchell, two or three community members are consistently calling local law enforcement about Kelly’s, sometimes when the bar is closed.

Mitchell told The Villanovan that Kelly’s management has taken many steps to operate under the laws of the Board of Liquor Control Enforcement and the Lower Merion Township code.

“We have invested heavily in getting the best staff, most checking id’s [sic] are from a military background,” Mitchell wrote in a statement he sent to The Villanovan. “We work tirelessly with the Lower Merion Police Department to collaborate to minimize issues with the community, LCB and state police. We have sound meters measuring the noise inside and outside so there is absolutely no way there would be any elongated period of time for excessive noise, other than a door opening, that would cause a noise violation.”

In the statement, Mitchell also addressed the issue of fake IDs.

“As far as underage drinking this is a nonstop constant battle. I can show you THOUSANDS of IDs confiscated for being fake. The investment in the [$]10,000 scanner we have was well worth it.”

Mitchell purchased and installed “decibel readers” in Kelly’s two years ago to limit the possibility of violating township sound codes.

To combat the rise of fake ID usage, Mitchell says he has continuously invested thousands of dollars every year to limit the possibility of underage patrons entering Kelly’s. He has also hired security with military backgrounds and will continue to do so.

“Going forward, what I am going to do is do the same things we always do,” Mitchell said in the interview. “We’re going to continue to invest in military people at the front door. We do not have students checking IDs. We do invest in the utmost and up-to-date security boxes, which are not cheap. Every year, it’s a couple of thousand dollars to update those things.”

At the beginning of the Villanova’s 2025-26 academic year last August, Kelly’s ownership, the Lower Merion Police Department (LMPD), and the Pennsylvania BLCE met, The Villanovan learned. The three sides reached an agreement called “Be Good in the Hood.” The agreement was created to limit disturbances within the community. If someone were to be cited by the LMPD for disorderly conduct or a similar violation, they would not be admitted to Kelly’s from that point on.

“In cooperation with the Lower Merion Police Department, we are working to ensure that you are safe, respected and free from harassment in the neighborhoods and also that all of us are not creating disturbances within the community,” Kelly’s wrote in an Instagram post on Sept. 4 about the agreement. “If you are cited for disorderly conduct or a similar quality of life violation, we cannot support this behavior, and you will not be allowed admittance to Kelly’s from that point going forward…These include disorderly conduct, public drunkenness, open containers and vandalism…”

Mitchell agreed to the “Be Good in the Hood” initiative in order to help keep the community safe and orderly.

According to Mitchell, BLCE has increased its presence in his establishment since the agreement was made.

“Since that time [of the agreement], the PA [BLCE] has absolutely targeted us nonstop for the last 30 weeks of the year,” Mitchell said in the interview. “It was absolutely ridiculous that they would say, ‘Come in and help us,’ and then turn around and target us.”

The LMPD did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Mitchell noted that Kelly’s management and LMPD officers have worked and will continue to work together on a consistent basis to keep the surrounding community peaceful and problem-free.

“We have the utmost respect for the Lower Merion Police Department,” Mitchell said in the interview. “They have been unbelievable in working with us to clean up any sort of problematic situations that would involve students or the community.”

Mitchell said Kelly’s is planning to operate as it has over the last 12 months.

This is a developing story, and The Villanovan will continue to provide updates.