After more than 20 years in business, The Goat Bar is closing its doors.

Owners made the announcement on social media Tuesday that they decided to close the bar located at 5111 Western Blvd. in Raleigh.

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"As we say goodbye to Goat Bar we want to express a huge heartfelt thank you to all of our past and present employees, regulars, Goat friends and Patrons over the past 21+ years for helping to make the Goat Bar truly the Greatest of All Time," owners wrote on Facebook.

Owners wrote that they would be selling Goat merchandise on Tuesday and would be having a yard sale next month to sell what remains.

ALE investigation leads to multiple arrests

On Thursday, Aug. 22, the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) Division, conducted an inspection at the Goat Bar. Two employees and seven underage patrons were charged with multiple alcohol-related offenses.

ALE investigators inspected the bar after receiving complaints of underage drinking and alcohol being sold to patrons younger than 21. Investigators determined these allegations to be true.

According to ALE, two employees were charged with selling alcoholic beverages to a patron under the age of 21 years old, and at least seven people were charged with purchasing alcohol under the age of 21. Some of those people were also charged with using fake IDs.

Owner Amanda LaRoque said at least seven agents raided the bar on Thursday.

"They came in hot with seven people," LaRoque said. "They are telling us we have to check IDs at the bar. We can’t operate like that, nor should we, because no other venue operates that way."

LaRoque said the bar, as of Tuesday, has not received a citation.

"Our bartenders received a citation for serving underage, only because we scan IDs at the door," she said.

WRAL News asked if the ALE investigation had anything to do with the decision to close the bar.

"I think it was the straw that broke the camel’s back," LaRoque said. "I'm tired of dealing with silliness like this.

"We wanted to go out while we were still on top and go out on our terms."

In addition to the criminal charges, a violation report will be submitted to the North Carolina ABC Commission, which has the sole authority to fine, suspend or revoke ABC permits.

WRAL News reviewed records that show the bar’s ABC license remains active, and the bar renewed its mixed beverage license in April. These records are available on the North Carolina ABC Commission's website.

'It's an institution': Patrons react to Goat Bar closing

Karen Ratliff, who’s been coming to the bar since 2003, said she was shocked when she read the bar’s Facebook post announcing the closing.

"It’s an institution, and I hate to see it go," she said.

Whitley Denton, a Meredith College student, said it was a touchy subject, and she was trying to figure things out.

"[It’s] definitely bittersweet," she said. "I met my boyfriend here. This place has a lot of sentimental meaning to us."

Although the bar is closing, many people don’t want the investigation to ruin the bar’s legacy.

"I’m thankful this place was part of my college experience," Denton said. "I'm thankful I get to look back and say 'I went to The Goat in college; I loved that place, and it really was that bar for so many of us.'"

Many patrons are wondering where they can go instead. Goat Bar staff recommended going to Champions Sports Bar off of Jones Franklin Road.