NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A downtown Nashville nightclub that police padlocked last year is now going to be operating under some strict guidelines.
SoBro is now where Luau Louie's used to be located on Second Avenue.
The owner went before the judge in a Nashville courtroom on Thursday, and told the judge he wanted to be allowed to stay open until 3 a.m. so the club could be competitive with other businesses in the area.
The prosecutor then asked about the format of the club, to which the owner responded that it was a sports bar.
"Primary focus is on food, added extra televisions, completely remodeled. Looking to show games, and attract more of a local base," said owner Jody Brown.
He went on to say that he wanted it attract families as well.
However, the DA's office pointed out that SoBro was advertising a Playboy Mansion night for Thursday night and inviting women to be playmates, and that didn't exactly seem to be in line with the family friendly atmosphere the owner had talked about.
The owner denied having any knowledge of that promotional event, then everyone waited to hear what the judge had to say.
"Any promotional activity that they intend to have needs to be approved by the DA's office," said Judge Mark J. Fishburn.
"It appears that Mr. Brown is incapable of controlling the promotional events that are made on behalf of his business," Fishburn continued.
The judge also laid out some other rules for the club to follow:
Anyone allowed by law to drink alcohol must wear a wristband.
Any minors can go to the club, but must leave by 10 p.m.
No alcohol can be sold at SoBro after 1:45 a.m., and the doors will be locked at 2 a.m.
Everyone who doesn't work there has to be out by 2:30 a.m. because the judge wants the doors to be closed and locked.
Judge Fishburn also said the new TV's better be showing sporting events.
Luau Louie's was padlocked in September because police said it was a public nuisance. Luau Louie's closed for good in October and Sobro opened up in its place.
Metro Police said they received more than 400 calls to the club in a ten month period, ranging from citing bar fights, drugs, assaults on officers and underage drinking.
