Troubadours, West Mobile nightclub, closes its doors

Editor’s Note: We’ve revised this article to include a quote from Chris Sherman, the owner of Troubadors, and to add context to referenced incidents.

MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. ( WKRG ) — A West Mobile nightclub is closing its doors after five years, News 5 has learned.

Owners of Troubadours announced on their Facebook page that after celebrating their five-year anniversary on Saturday, July 20, they will be closing.

Over the years, WKRG News 5 has reported on some criminal investigations at the nightclub, located at 7790 Tanner Road.

It was more of a wrong-place-wrong-time situation, but one incident led to 20 minors being arrested for underage drinking in September of 2023. The ABC Board did not ticket the bar for that event, and the bar had never been ticketed in five years, Sherman said, for serving an underage person.

Another incident that got a lot of media attention involved the alleged kidnapping of a University of South Alabama college student in their parking lot.

A man accused of the kidnapping was arrested and charged with second-degree kidnapping and first-degree rape. His trial is set for August 2024.

Again, another wrong-place-wrong-time situation, as the suspect had never entered Troubadours that night and was not a known patron, News 5 had learned.

Some residents may recall those headlines, but they don’t define the establishment, owners told News 5.

“We’ve had a great five years and made a lot of good memories, and we’ll miss it,” Chris Sherman, owner of Troubadours, said. “We’ll miss all of our customers and maybe we’ll see them sometime down the road.”

Indeed, the nightclub’s farewell post focused on the good times.

“Troubs has had some great moments from fraternity/sorority parties, concert nights, karaoke, live local music and some amazing theme parties!” the club’s post said. “But all good things must come to an end…”

The club thanked the bartenders, managers, security, DJs, bands, and customers who helped make the place successful for five years.

The post ended with a nod to a George Strait song, titled, fittingly, “Troubadour.”

“I was a young troubadour / when I rode in on a song / And I’ll be an old troubadour when I’m gone.”

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