The downtown nightclub Wet is back in the news today. Wet sued the city last autumn after SJPD Chief Rob Davis closed it down following a much-publicized Sept. 7 brawl, but its lawsuit was rejected by the judge. Still, because the lawsuit was thrown out on technical grounds, the city worried that the police chief’s ability to yank a club’s license could yet be considered unconstitutional if challenged in court.
The council yesterday passed a new ordinance defining when the chief can close a nightclub for public-safety violations. It’s based on the previous one, but is much clearer in its language. It replaces vague rules about security standards with specific instructions on how many security people are required, the licenses they must obtain, what precise steps they must take to ensure public safety.
Wet owner Mike Hamod said that he was satisfied with the new ordinance and will not pursue his fight with the SJPD and city.
Read More at The Mercury News.
I hate to see any business close in DT, but I also hate to see those that cause harm to the overall perception of DT, which these days is a place that people find dangerous and unsafe, stay open. Club Wet and other large clubs like it play a role in this perception and I for one would rather see them replaced with venues that would serve a variety of ages that would encourage not just party goers, but families to patron them. Perhaps say a bowling alley.
Don’t confuse my statement as disdain for nightlife in DT (I for one definitely have made my rounds), but I would like to see a better balanced DT at night that is encompassing of a variety of people.
Paul, you may need to import some people while your at it. Berkeley is now becoming a hub of performed music and music education. Freight and Salvage an all acoustic only non-profit venue raised millions in donations for a large totally class facility. Santa Cruz has the Catalyst and Kuumbwa. They could not currently survive here. We had Club Jazz and Escovidos. Tried and failed. Azucar is somehow breaking the mold.
Perhaps say a bowling alley.
Since there are beaucoup large clubs, I wonder just how many bowling alleys downtown can support?
There is plenty of available space downtown for both nightclubs and venues that support a wider demographic of patrons.