Man Alleges Newport Beach Illegally Blocking Topless Bar
The owner of a restaurant who wants to offer nude and topless entertainment sued the city of Newport Beach Friday, charging that the city has illegally prevented the opening of his business.
In March, the city filed a lawsuit against An Nguyen, owner of Paddy Murphy’s topless bar in Santa Ana, who wants to open a similar bar called the Mermaid in Newport Beach near John Wayne Airport.
In his own lawsuit, Nguyen said the “Newport Beach City Council disagrees with the adult theme of the entertainment to be offered at the Mermaid,” and is violating his First Amendment rights.
Nguyen said in the suit that the remodeled club, in the 4200 block of Martingale Way, “will continue to offer food and drink under its use permit but intends to change the characteristics of the entertainment offered from a live band to non-obscene nude and semi-nude entertainers.”
City officials could not be reached for comment Friday, but council meetings drew passionate pleas from residents living near the Mermaid to keep the nude and topless entertainment out of the neighborhood.
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