Bar owner denies ‘hidden room,’ defends biker club ties ahead of liquor license hearing
The attorney for the owner of a Bryant bar linked to a lawsuit and alleged biker gang ties is pushing back.
Author: Tanya Modersitzki April 6, 2026
https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/benton-bryant/bar-biker-club-liquor-license-hearing/91-af5fc37d-d1b0-4fff-b6fc-03b330025270
BRYANT, Ark. — The attorney for the owner of a Bryant bar linked to a lawsuit and alleged ties to a biker gang is pushing back. We’ve reported that Burks Brothers Brewing is named in a lawsuit filed by a former detective after claims of an officer’s involvement with the biker gang.
The bar owner’s attorney, Kale Ludwig, responding in a statement, said, “I hate to ruin a good headline, but Burks Brothers is not a biker bar, and there is no ‘hidden room’.”
In December, we reported that former Bryant Police detective Shanna Hastings is suing the chief of police and mayor, claiming she was wrongfully fired after raising concerns about another officer’s alleged involvement with the Banditos motorcycle gang.
Her concerns stemmed from an investigation at Burks Brothers last summer after a fight with a Banditos member and two others, which resulted in someone allegedly being stabbed. Charges were later dropped.
Body cam footage THV11 obtained in January shows a hidden room behind a bookcase discovered by Hastings and an Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) agent.
In a statement, Ludwig said, “The area being referenced was disclosed to ABC in the approved floor plan and is posted at the premises. It is a storage area, not open to the public, and accessed through a bookshelf door.”
The owner of Burks Brothers is Dr. Jesse Burks. Ludwig said Dr. Burks “has been open about his association with a motorcycle club. It’s a law-abiding group. There’s nothing illegal about it.”
The statement goes on to say, “Dr. Burks is a practicing podiatric surgeon and an upstanding member to our community. His goal is simply to operate the bar in full compliance with the rules of the ABC and provide a safe, enjoyable environment for his patrons.”
Ludwig said the fight last summer was an isolated incident.
Burks Brothers goes before the ABC board this Thursday.
The entire statement from Ludwig said, “I hate to ruin a good headline, but Burks Brothers is not a biker bar, and there is no ‘hidden room.’ The area being referenced was disclosed to ABC, in on the approved floor plan and is posted at the premises. It is a storage area, not open to the public, and accessed through a bookshelf door. Dr. Jesse Burks has been open about his association with a motorcycle club. It’s a law-abiding group. There’s nothing illegal about it. Like any bar, there was an isolated incident among patrons last summer, but that does not define the business or how it is run. Dr. Burks is a practicing podiatric surgeon and an upstanding member to our community. His goal is simply to operate the bar in full compliance with the rules of the ABC and provide a safe, enjoyable environment for his patrons.”
The City of Bryant attorney denied any further comment.
Comments