State ABC shuts down east Charlotte bar
Mi Cabana has repeatedly violated the city's 2 a.m. closing law, according to an order of summary suspension, which has led to 28 violent incidents over the past year
The following article appeared in the July 28, 2025, edition of The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with smart and original local news for Charlotte. We offer free and paid subscription plans. More info here.
State ABC Commission shuts down east Charlotte bar after deadly shooting, illegal sales
The North Carolina ABC Commission dropped a rare hammer Friday on Mi Cabana, a private bar on Eastway Drive, suspending its alcohol permits after a deadly shooting and a long history of illegal after-hours booze sales — something the ABC Board doesn’t do lightly.
According to sworn reports from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police and North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement, Mi Cabana has openly defied the city’s closing law for years, which says all alcohol sales must end at 2 a.m. and must be consumed by 2:30 a.m.
Bar manager Kim To admitted to selling alcohol after hours regularly because “she makes more money,” according to the order of summary suspension, even after a fatal shooting outside the bar in April 2025. Video surveillance showed alcohol being served well past legal hours shortly before a patron was shot and killed. According to the order, To “got everyone to leave the business, turned off the lights, and walked past the victim, who was laying on the ground by the entrance, gasping for breath. Mrs. To got into her vehicle, and left the scene, right as CMPD officers were arriving to the establishment.”
Since 2023, police have responded to at least 28 violent incidents at Mi Cabana — including assaults, robberies and one homicide — almost all occurring after legal hours. In sworn affidavits, CMPD officers say the types and amounts of calls from Mi Cabana “require a significant amount of man hours and resources” and now require backup for every call to the bar. Additionally, undercover operations have been halted due to safety risks.
During a July 19 inspection, officers found more than 20 vehicles parked outside Mi Cabana and patrons drinking illegally past 2:30 a.m., the order said.
The suspension is effective immediately, but Mi Cabana’s owner, which is listed as K Tran, LLC in the order, can request a hearing to contest the decision. —Lindsey Banks
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