Otto’s Niteclub, 118 E. Lincoln Highway, has been closed since Friday after its liquor license was revoked by the state.

The nightclub’s license was revoked after failure to file sales tax and attend an Oct. 5 state liquor hearing, City Clerk Donna Johnson said.

“This is the No. 1 thing that can get one in trouble with the state, she said. “It gets their attention quickly.” The nightclub owner said it hopes to reopen Friday.

The Illinois Liquor Control Commission notified the owner and the city of DeKalb that liquor could no longer be served at the bar.

Since liquor is the only product that Otto’s offers, it was shut down.

“It’s a tax related issue. We were notified by the Illinois Department of Revenue,” said Ted Penesis spokesman for the ILCC.

The city of DeKalb was notified Friday. DeKalb Police went to Otto’s to assure the bar would be closed.

“Around 8 p.m. Friday, we showed them the paperwork and they complied,” said DeKalb Police Chief Bill Feithen.

The ILCC sent a certified letter to the owner to notify him but he was not aware of the situation until Friday evening when it was too late.

“I was out with my band Wilco, touring with the Rolling Stones,” Otto’s owner Stan Doty said. “I got the message at 7:30 [p.m.] Friday.”

Relatively little money was involved and the nightclub was in the process of filing, but there was some paperwork delay between Chicago and Springfield, Doty said.

“I was really mad at myself on Friday because it affected so many people,” Doty said. “If I was here this probably could have been avoided.”

It was difficult to judge the impact on other bars because they were already abnormally busy during Homecoming.

“I was pleased Fatty’s picked up the Trippin’ Billies for last Saturday night,” Doty said.

Many people were unaware of the closure and walked to Otto’s, only to find the door locked.

Otto’s will likely reopen this Friday with Hairbanger’s Ball. Lucky Boys Confusion is scheduled to play Sunday, Doty said.