The Blue Light nightclub inside the Chattanooga Choo Choo complex was closed for the weekend after the club was called before the Chattanooga Beer and Wrecker Board last week to answer to a number of violations that included staff members drinking on the premises and operating a disorderly place.
When contacted Friday evening and asked about the future of the club, co-owner Brian Joyce declined to comment.
A message on the club's website reads: "Hi all! We hate to do this to you, but unfortunately, The Blue Light will be closed this weekend. The good news is, our staff is getting the weekend off to have fun with the rest of you! If you see us out, please say hello, and let's have a drink together. (You won't miss us, we might still be dressed as bunnies.) We'll miss you all very much this weekend, but we promise we'll see you soon. Have a good weekend and thanks for supporting the Blue Light! We couldn't have achieved the outstanding success we've achieved so far without the help and support of our fantastic customers! You all rock. See ya'z soon."
The message does not say when the club will reopen or whose decision it was to close its doors.
Investment firm Northpond Partners purchased the retail section of the complex five months ago, about the same time that the club opened. The person answering the phone Friday at property manager Second Story Real Estate said that manager Merri Hurn had left for the day and no one else could comment on the club's closing.
The nightclub went before the Chattanooga Beer & Wrecker Board on Thursday to address six violations that included staff drinking on the premises, selling alcohol off premises on Station Street and operating a disorderly place. The board heard only the first four violations before having to table the final two until the next meeting in two weeks because the city court reporter had a prior engagement.
Among people who made comments during that meeting were Hurn, who said she had heard complaints from other tenants about some of the issues, including fights outside of the club, and had been trying to work with Joyce to deal with some of the issues.
Police were called to the establishment four times on Halloween night, and responding officer Ryan Lynn described breaking up an "all-out brawl" and kicking people out of the club.
Michael Alfano, co-owner of The Comedy Catch next door, called the bar a nuisance. On Friday, he was happy to see the doors locked at The Blue Light.
"After a very problematic couple of months culminating with a potentially dangerous Halloween night," Friday night was quiet and "pretty much like it used to be," he said.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.