Rave Ordinance Shuts Orlando Club

An Orlando, Fla., nightclub has been closed for allegedly violating the city’s rave ordinance while code enforcement officials and club owners sort things out.

The Upper Level Club originally catered to teenagers when it opened last February but crowds and a reported murder near the venue in May spawned complaints from neighbors, according to WFTV.com.

The club, which offers a variety of music and dancing but no alcohol sales, has since changed its clientele focus to adults. That didn’t satisfy Orange County Code Enforcement which reportedly warned the owners they would need a rave club license, the Web site said.

The city code description of a rave is music, dancing and non-alcoholic beverages.

The closure reportedly came about when Upper Level owners hired a caterer and worked with a non-profit group that obtained a temporary liquor license.

Code enforcement officers interpreted that as trying to skirt the rave ordinance, so they issued a warning that Upper Level was in violation, WFTV.com said.

Club owner Liz Hart told Pollstar she could not comment on the situation and was meeting with a lawyer.