The Club 705 nightclub has closed following two large fights within two weeks. At Tuesday’s planning commission meeting, Interim Police Chief Steve Johnson told commissioners that he ordered the Zen Lounge and Nightclub closed because of seven instances of violence within the last year, most recently a fight Saturday that spilled out of the nightclub at about 1:30 a.m.
The discussion came up during the city’s annual review of establishments with late night Conditional Use Permits.
Johnson said 50-100 patrons were exiting the Pier Avenue nightclub Saturday, with many fighting and running into the street. Officers smelled pepper spray and were later told someone pointed a gun but could not verify that claim, Johnson said.
A Hermosa Beach police officer discharged pepper spray on a combatant who fled into the crowd, Johnson said.
On Sept. 30, a man was stabbed in the lower abdomen at about 1:40 a.m. at the Zen Lounge.
Victims of the altercations did not cooperate with authorities and seek to press charges, including a man who was shot outside the nightclub while crossing Pier Avenue April 8. Johnson said the victim was struck by a 9-millimeter bullet jacket behind his ear after the shot initially hit the ground. The man required minor surgery.
Club 705 Manager Xavier Flemenco told commissioners he voluntarily closed the nightclub Saturday before the city took action, but the Club 705 Restaurant remains open. Flemenco, who pledged to work with city officials, said he has cut ties with nightclub promoters and plans to “re-brand the entire thing.”
Flemenco said the only event the Zen Lounge will host in the near future is the Leadership Hermosa Beach “Beach Ball” planned for Nov. 3.
City Manager Tom Bakaly on Wednesday said Club 705 sent an email to the city Saturday indicating the nightclub had been voluntarily closed. “And then we concurrently closed it as well,” Bakaly said.
Johnson said he must approve reopening of the nightclub, and he pledged to work with planning commissioners on the issue.
The planning commission voted to hold public hearings on whether to modify or revoke the Conditional Use Permits for the Zen Lounge and Café Boolagoo, which had nine incidents of violence inside and outside its establishment over the last year, Johnson said. Café Boogaloo’s hearing is scheduled for Dec 5, and the Zen Lounge’s hearing is scheduled for Jan. 15.
The Club 705 nightclub is unlikely to reopen before its Jan. 15 hearing, Bakaly said.
