Entertainment Permit Revoked

The Redondo Beach City Council revoked the entertainment permit of the Beach Gardens restaurant Tuesday night after hearing complaints that the establishment near the Redondo Pier converted itself into a noisy nightclub called The Indigo on Wednesdays and weekends.

Harbor Director Sheila Schoettger said Corinne Lachkar, the restaurant’s manager, contended that The Indigo was not really a nightclub but rather a “themed promotion” intended to build up the restaurant business.

Police Lt. Ken Keating, however, said his officers have been called frequently to the restaurant since May in response to complaints of noise and unruly behavior.

He said they cited a number of minors for consuming alcohol on nights when the restaurant took on the appearance of a disco nightclub, complete with artificial smoke, go-go dancers, psychedelic lights and powerful sound equipment. Patrons had to pay a $10 cover charge, he said.

Under its entertainment permit, the business is obliged to operate as a full-service restaurant whenever it is open and to keep noise at permissible levels.

“We had a hard time dealing with them,” Keating told the council. “They tried to get away with whatever they could get away with.”

Ralph Saltzman, an attorney for restaurant owner Charles Lee, said Lee had severed relations with the producer of The Indigo and taken other measures to attract a “more mature clientele.”

Noting the large number of complaints, however, the council voted unanimously to revoke the permit.