Nightclub’s latest sensation: closure

Ryan Carter

Prompted by a recent score of alleged criminal acts in and outside

Sensation Village, a state agency did not renew the nightclub’s

liquor license, effectively shutting it down.

“We’re not going to renew it at this point,” said Timothy Clark,

an administrator for the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

“If the club and the city resolve the issues, we’ll review it.”

The issues Clark was referring to include allegations of drug

possession, fighting and public intoxication that police have

associated with the club. Those acts prompted the denial of a new

temporary license, Clark said.

Alcoholic Beverage Control reviews applications for licenses to

sell alcoholic beverages. It also determines if applicants can sell

alcohol on their premises.

Late last month, the city revoked the club’s dancing and

entertainment licenses. Having those permits also required obtaining

the alcohol license, Community Development Director Sue Georgino

said.

The revocations and lack of a liquor license will, at least for

the time being, shutter the two-story nightspot at 237 E. Olive Ave.

and its neighboring bar and grill, Gepettos. The answering machine at

the club -- which is near City Hall -- states it is “closed until

further notice.” It closed Dec. 21.

Problems like those at Sensation Village are much less frequent at

other local nightspots, police said. The calls about Sensation

Village prompted surveillance and arrests by a task force that

included the Burbank Police gang unit and special enforcement detail,

as well as state investigators.

In four weekends in November and early December, officers made

five felony arrests of frequent club patrons and handed out almost

300 citations for violations such as marijuana possession and

urinating in public. Officials allege undercover agents bought

marijuana inside the club, and said food, which is required to be

served there under the alcohol-licensing agreement, was not

available.

“I think it’s going to significantly reduce our problem in the

Village area,” Sgt. John Dilibert said. “We won’t have the numbers of

surrounding problems that we attributed to alcohol, such as dope,

fights and urination. The alcohol is simply not there.”

Contacted by phone, a co-owner of the club declined to comment but

said management was planning its next course of action.