ORLANDO, Fla. – Downtown bars and nightclubs accused of violating their after-midnight alcohol sales permits had the opportunity to present their case, to avoid having their permits suspended or revoked.
These hearings followed “Operation Nightcap,” a series of drug stings at bars that resulted in 30 individuals facing drug charges. During these operations, undercover police officers reported 150 violations of the after-midnight permits at 23 businesses.
Police stated that the businesses failed to comply with permit requirements, such as having ID scanners, occupancy monitors, and handheld weapons detection systems like wands.
Eleven bars and nightclubs were on Thursday’s hearing list to discuss the alleged violations. The city dropped its case against one of the 11, Aero.
For the first time since the sting, video footage from Operation Nightcap was shown. An undercover Orlando police officer detailed the violations he observed at Proper. Unlike other establishments, Proper did not immediately agree to sign a mitigation agreement, disputing the number of violations the city claimed they had.
Jeffrey Gitto, the attorney representing Proper, Sidebar Orlando and Room 22, said, “With the other two venues, which we will discuss, I am all about admitting and standing here in a public manner admitting things, those things were just a little bit, something that I felt needed to address. I’m of the opinion that I don’t think three were shown [at Proper].”
Gitto also argued that at the time of the sting, the Orlando Police Department had not provided a standard operating procedure for the use of weapons detection, which has since been addressed.
Proper’s after-midnight license was suspended for 30 days, but they have submitted a mitigation plan. The suspension will be lifted if an agreement is reached with the city.
The city reached a mitigation agreement with all other bars and nightclubs: Sidebar Orlando, Room 22, The Beacham, Wall Street Cantina, Shine, Fixtion, Hen House, Hooch and Monkey Bar Waitiki. The agreement means these businesses have agreed to make necessary changes to their operations to comply with regulations.
On Friday, nine more bars will have the opportunity to present their cases: Bullitt Bar, The Attic/The Basement/The Treehouse, Eve Orlando, Elixir, Parlay, Tier, Shakai Sushi Lounge, Shots Orlando, and The Other Bar.
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