ANAHEIM – The city plans to yank the dance hall permit for
The Boogie nightclub, which could put an end to the longtime venue
plagued with security and liquor-license problems.
On Friday, the city's business-license division sent a letter
notifying club owners of the proposal to revoke the permit, which
is required for the club to charge cover fees and offer music and
dancing. A hearing is set for June 6.
Two attorneys for The Boogie said they were unable to comment
because they had yet to see the letter.
"I have no idea what the city is trying to do and whether
they can do it legally," attorney Stephen Solomon said
Monday.
Already, the 18-and-older club in the Disneyland Resort area is
in the middle of a 30-day suspension of its liquor license over
allegations of lewd conduct. The club has stayed open without
alcohol, drawing about half the usual patrons.
"Just the fact that we don't have to spend that much time
down there gives the guys the time to patrol the rest of the
district," Anaheim police Lt. Dave Vangsness said.
In addition, the club faces revocation of its liquor license
because of allegations including excessive force by employees and
illegal alcohol sales. The state Department of Alcoholic Beverage
Control and Boogie are trying to settle the matter.
The dance hall permit is up for cancellation because of:
Allegations of unlawful conduct by employees and patrons.
Police received 2,534 calls to the club's address from January
2000 through March 26. Boogie employees were named as suspects in
about 40 percent of last year's police reports, including assault
allegations.
Failure to comply with its liquor license.
The license, granted in 1981, requires about half of proceeds
come from meals. The club made about $30,000 from food and about
$4 million from alcohol sales and cover charges from June 2004 to
June 2005.
A snack bar and table offer items such as burgers, burritos and
pizza.
At the city hearing, Boogie owners can explain why the club
should keep the permit. Bill Sell, the license collector, will
make a ruling.
The Boogie can appeal the decision to the city manager.
The Boogie's operations manager, Jack Wade, who has operated
clubs in Orange County, declined to return a phone call Monday.
The venue has offered formats ranging from disco and country to
'80s and hip-hop for three decades.
In recent months, spillover from the club has turned violent,
forcing some overnight businesses to close to avoid the
post-Boogie crowd. An 18-year-old patron was fatally shot at a
nearby Denny's in March.
The Boogie patron Alicia Powell, 26, of Huntington Beach said
she has never had problems at the club since she started going
there at age 18.
"It really bums me out that the opportunity for younger
people ... is going to be taken away. We don't have much
left," Powell said.
Solomon, Saltsman & Jamieson are
attorneys practicing in the areas of ABC law, ABC Appeals Board
cases, and all related Land Use Matters such as City and County
Conditional Use Permits, Variances, Police and Fire permits,
Entertainment law, and Gambling Law; as well as Business and
Personal Injury litigation. Solomon, Saltsman & Jamieson can
be reached at 800 405 4222."
