NEWPORT BEACH : City Allows Eatery to Add Amenities

A restaurant-nightclub that has grown in popularity among young adults may offer breakfast, weekend patio dining and more room to dance and play pool, but may not stay open until 4 a.m., the Planning Commission decided Thursday.

After a nearly two-hour discussion over potential noise and overcrowding problems, the commission granted permission for Lucy’s Bar and Grill, formerly Ellis Island restaurant, to open at 6 a.m. for breakfast, add a patio and four pool tables, and open a second dance floor.

But the commission rejected the East Coast Highway restaurant’s request to stay open until 4 a.m. to serve food. Commissioners said 2 a.m. was late enough and that they didn’t want to trigger a string of after-hours clubs in the city.

Located in the old Bobby McGee’s restaurant building, Ellis Island reopened in early June as Lucy’s Bar and Grill/Club BBG, an eatery that turns into a nightclub with dancing and pool tables after 9 p.m.

While Ellis Island failed financially, Club BBG has been drawing crowds of young adults who line up 20 to 30 deep on weekends, according to owner Lucy Luhan. The grand-opening party drew about 700 people, many of whom were turned away because the business only holds 400, Luhan said.

Luhan attributed the success to promoter Buck Baker, who told the commission he draws customers to Club BBG with special promotions, cheaper cover charges and the mass distribution of free passes. Luhan also said she has learned “these kids have no place to go.”

But the club’s success has drawn complaints from a few neighboring residents and the scrutiny of the Newport Beach Police Department. Police Chief Arb Campbell reported in two letters to the commission that nearby business owners had complained of club patrons littering and urinating on their property, while a few residents had complained of noise.

The Police Department also reported that 600 people were crammed inside the business on the night of June 5, the club’s grand opening.

But Luhan and club employees said grand-opening night was the only time such a crowding problem occurred and that a full staff of 10 doormen and security guards have been hired to count customers at the door and keep problems to a minimum. Two residents of the neighboring Promontory Point apartment building testified that they have not been bothered by noise from the club.

After questioning Luhan and her staff at length, commissioners agreed management had addressed all the concerns. Commissioner Gary Pomeroy also agreed the club “satisfies a strong need” in terms of providing entertainment for local young adults.

In other business, the commission granted use permits for four massage parlors on West Coast Highway and near John Wayne Airport, the first ones granted under a new law passed to curb illegal activity at massage businesses in the city.

The use-permit process gives the city some enforcement power over such businesses by threatening permit revocation if illegal or unruly activity is reported.