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When students think of bright lights, and Thursday nights in New Haven, they might be thinking about Elm City Tap House, but one thing they may want to forget is that $200-$500 fine they got last week.

Located on 144 Temple St., Elm City Tap House is one of the hottest clubs for college students. More commonly referred to as "Vanity" from its previous name, the bar is known to host some of the top names in the music industry, including artists like Rick Ross, DJ Pauly-D and Mac-J.

When New Haven Police conducted a routine search of the bar last Thursday night, many students were unaware of the situation.

“At first it just seemed like a police officer came in, he was just telling people to shut the music off,” Victoria Sweet, a senior at Quinnipiac University, said. “It was quiet, then it became a little more scared. People were trying to get out as quickly as possible.”

Sources say guests were jumping out of first story windows, running out the back doors and hiding in bathrooms to avoid police contact. 24 students were charged with possession of alcohol by a minor and were fined between $200 to $500.

New Haven Police ordered Vanity to shut its doors immediately, and the restaurant was closed indefinitely. However, in a post from Vanity's Instagram page, @OneFortyFour_Temple, the bar was still open.

The Instagram post read, “We are not closed. Club one forty four is having regularly scheduled Thursdays and Saturdays.”

Now under the control of a new manager and new name “Elm City Tap House,” the Thursday and Saturday night parties can rage on.

“I’ve heard of a couple open bars being present there,” Katie Flynn, a senior at Quinnipiac
University, said. “They’re a ton of fun.”

Vanity was ordered to shut its doors late last year when authorities raided the scene and found a similar amount of under age drinkers.

“Although there have been some issues with under age kids,” Sweet said. “I will probably go back.”