KIEFER SUTHERLAND HAMMERED IN GAY BAR

KIEFER SUTHERLAND, star of TV’s “24,” is boozing it up 24/7 — and he was caught knocking back Scotch at a Hollywood gay bar at 9 o’clock in the morning!

“Kiefer’s been a big drinker but now he’s pounding down the alcohol morning, noon and night,” an insider declared.

A REGULAR

And another source said: “Kiefer is well-known at dives in the scary Hollywood area where he lives.

“It’s not unusual to see him downing glass after glass of J&B Scotch at one of these places any night of the week.

“And when they close at 2 a.m., then it’s on to the after hours clubs.”

The ENQUIRER reported in March that the 37-year-old star got a gash on his head in a bar fight.

And now The ENQUIRER has learned exclusively that on the morning of April 3, Kiefer was drinking at the Spot Light — a gay bar in Hollywood and a notorious hangout for transvestites, according to sources.

“Kiefer was falling-down drunk,” said an eyewitness.

“He wasn’t surly or anything — just the opposite, he seemed very happy and was obviously feeling no pain.

“There was a movie shooting across the street when Kiefer came out of the Spot Light for a cigarette. Several of the crew members on the shoot recognized him and came over to have their photos taken with him.

“He was very obliging to everyone, including the female security guard on the movie and one young mom who came over with her toddler in a stroller to get his autograph.

“But Kiefer reeked of alcohol and was unsteady on his feet.

“Finally he excused himself, saying he had to go back into the bar to sit down. “It was so sad seeing him that way.”

A staffer at the Spot Light who was on duty that morning told The ENQUIRER: “Kiefer started drinking at 9 o’clock in the morning with some buddies and didn’t stop till after 1:30 p.m.

“At one point, he was so hammered that he fell off his barstool and landed on the floor. But he just laughed it off.

“He was drinking Scotch and his associates actually had to prop him up!

“Some girl pulled down her pants and showed her butt to him and he said in slurring speech, ‘I’ll show you something.’

SHOW AND TELL

“Then he pulled down his pants and exposed his butt to her and everyone else in the bar!”

The eyewitness added: “When Kiefer stumbled out of the bar, there were a bunch of cops hanging around the film shoot across the street. He laughed and said, ‘Don’t mind me, officers’ — and just staggered away.

“It was funny and heartbreaking at the same time.” — MICHAEL GLYNN and RICK EGUSQUIZA