A Milwaukee tavern has officially closed its doors following a controversial series of incidents that led to the permanent revocation of its license. El Cielo bar, owned by Ruben Albanil Coyolt, has operated at the corner of 12th Street and National Avenue for nine years.
According to ABC7, the decision to revoke the tavern’s license was made by the Milwaukee Common Council after police investigations uncovered a series of troubling findings.
The issues came to a head during an Oct. 18 incident, when Milwaukee police responded to reports of shots fired at the bar. Police revealed they recovered cocaine, drug paraphernalia, a suspected drug sales ledger, and ammunition during their investigation. In a bizarre twist, officers also found chickens being kept in the basement of the tavern, near beer storage.
Coyolt admitted to raising the chickens for food but denied allegations of drug possession or involvement in the gunfire, claiming the cocaine found on the premises wasn’t his. “The chickens that were located in the basement of the tavern, why were they there?” asked Alderperson Jocasta Zamarripa during a hearing. Coyolt responded simply, “For eat… In my house, I live in the upstairs.”
However, the council was unconvinced, citing the combination of noise complaints, safety concerns, and the presence of illegal items. “I just think he knows better than to get into the trouble he’s gotten into,” said Common Council President Jose Perez.
Coyolt has chosen not to appeal the decision. Meanwhile, the chickens were taken into custody by Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control, with one euthanized due to its condition and the other returned to Coyolt.
This marks the end of an unusual and tumultuous chapter for El Cielo bar, leaving both its patrons and its owner to reflect on the series of events that led to its closure.
