The St. Paul City Council will decide today whether to turn off the lights temporarily at a Frogtown bar that has experienced a homicide, shootings and assorted alleged license violations over the past three months.

The Moonlight Magic Bar, on the corner of Thomas and Western avenues, faces a 30-day closure, from Aug. 5 to Sept. 3, and a $2,000 fine for alleged license violations recorded on May 15, June 12 and June 14. The bar will also face a second 30-day closure and $2,000 fine because of violations recorded July 5. The penalties are sought by the city's Department of Safety and Inspections, which describes the incidents in letters dated June 16 and July 9.

"I can't think of another time that we have asked for similar penalties, nor have we seen such a number of alleged violations in such a sort period of time," said Christine Rozek, deputy director of the inspections department.

Owner Moua Yang did not return calls Tuesday, and city documents said owners have not responded to the allegations.

Separate from the license violation claims, the city attorney's office has threatened a lawsuit that could shut down the bar for a year if "nuisance behavior" isn't stopped. A June 19 letter from City Attorney John Choi cites three incidents involving gunplay. His letter did not include the May 10 beating death of Tai Yang, 20, outside the bar. Seven people face murder charges in that incident.

The recent complaints, ranging from not using metal detectors on patrons to staying open too late, are troublesome, said City Council Member Melvin Carter III. "I'm hopeful this action will give us some time to work out the concerns so when the suspension is over we can figure out how the bar can operate in the neighborhood in a way that enhances the neighborhood," Carter said.

"We've had problems with this bar in the past, but this is the first time we've had owners who didn't immediately clean up their act when they had problems," said Tait Danielson Castillo, executive director of the District 7 Planning Council. He added that many neighbors are fine with the city shuttering the bar.

It's the second major crackdown the city has pursued against a saloon in the past three years.

In 2006, the city attorney's office filed a nuisance lawsuit against Diva's Overtime Lounge after a murder and shooting and numerous police calls that year. The city dropped its claim after the bar's owner agreed to clamp down on problems.

In 2007, the council voted unanimously to revoke the Rice Street bar's liquor license after months of controversy over its role in the community. Diva's then closed.

Last June, police and the inspections department beefed up monitoring of the city's most violent bars. There are nearly 260 places that sell alcohol in the city.

Police have been summoned to the Moonlight more than 400 times since January 2000.

The bar -- built in 1890, according to Ramsey County records -- opened as a neighborhood tavern and dance hall. It operated under various names including the Blues Saloon, Lucy's and Wilebski's, and featured such notable musicians as John Lee Hooker, Etta James and Willie Dixon. It opened as the Moonlight in 2004.

Chris Havens • 612-673-4148