ABC permits suspended at popular Charlotte club after several COVID-19 violations

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Alcohol enforcement officers have served a suspension order on a south Charlotte club and their ABC permits have been suspended after several COVID-19 related violations.

The suspension came after a review of sworn statements from North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers, as well as from the Mecklenburg County health director.

Officers from both agencies observed the business several times between Oct. 31 and Nov. 21.

The state sent Channel 9 paperwork saying investigators found too many people, no masks and no social social distancing efforts several times over the last month. That violates Gov. Roy Cooper’s Phase 3 business orders.

On one visit to Club Onyx, an ALE agent said she saw a long line of people waiting to get into the building and it wrapped around the outside of the club. When she went inside the club, she saw over 200 people and listed the following executive order violations:

• Large crowds of unseated patrons
• No social distancing effects
• Guests and employees were not wearing face coverings
• Exceeding capacity limitations
• Patrons smoking hookah and sharing other handled tobacco products inside
• No sanitization of high-touch surfaces or precautions by employees to prevent cross-contamination
• Guests drinking alcohol inside

Officers said they spoke with the general manager after each inspection about the violations and issued him with several warnings.

They said he indicated he did not agree with the 25-person capacity limit for adult entertainment venues, night clubs and lounges and did not intend to abide by the rule.

They said he also argued the club was an eating establishment and was not subject to the executive order restrictions, despite little to no food being consumed during the inspections.

Mecklenburg County Public Health Director Gibbie Harris said the department has seen a cluster of COVID-19 cases among employees at Club Onyx. She did not specify how many cases, but a cluster is defined by a minimum of five cases.

“Large indoor gatherings that involve close personal contact without face coverings has substantial risk of fueling clusters of COVID-19 cases,” Harris said. “Given the large number of young residents observed participating at these events, this could contribute to a reversal of the positive trends we have been seeing and increase the number of cases and spread of COVID-19 in our community.”

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The suspension will take effect immediately and is in effect until there is a hearing for the case.

Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

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