Prive liquor license denied, business to cease

Just six days shy of the scheduled expiration of Privé Nightclub’s temporary liquor license, the Clark County Department of Business License today denied the permanent liquor license applications for Privé and the adjacent Living Room lounge, forcing them to cease all business operations by next week.

A statement issued this afternoon by the Department of Business License cites as reason for the denial “the failure to abide by the duties of a liquor licensee as set forth under Clark County Code 8.20.465,” which requires, among other things, “each holder of an alcoholic liquor license to strictly enforce all the provisions of this code and state statutes.” Licensees also “must maintain and conduct all activities upon the premises in a decent, orderly and respectful manner and shall not knowingly permit within or upon the licensed premises any lewd activity, nudity, or topless activity…, disorder, disturbances, or other activities which endanger the health or safety of the patrons….”

On July 9, 2009, the State Gaming Board filed a nine-count complaint against Planet Hollywood (Opbiz, LLC), citing multiple violations by tenant Privé which include three found by the Department of Business License itself, violations the Nevada Gaming Commission today called “appalling” just before unanimously approving the settlement which results in Planet Hollywood paying a $500,000 fine for its failure to regulate the goings-on within Privé. An additional $250,000 would have been fined if the negative activity were to continue within the 12-month timeframe set forth by the settlement.

Privé (Privé Vegas, LLC) has been operating under a temporary liquor license since the doors opened in December, just prior to the New Year’s Eve 2008 grand opening festivities. Privé’s application for a permanent liquor license has been pending Metro’s routine investigation since its opening days, a lengthy process which was slowed still by Privé’s status as a foreign limited liability corporation registered in the state of Florida.

The Living Room lounge’s own license was set to expire on July 30. Per the Department of Business License, business operations at both venues must cease by midnight on those days. Scheduled beyond Privé’s closure date are appearances by 24 Star Mary Lynn Rajskub on Friday July 31, DJ Steve Aoki on August 7, and Mickey Avalon on August 10.

Privé may file an appeal the decision with the Department of Business License within the next 30 days.