Jay-Z CD Party Broken Up

Authorities closed the Avalon nightclub in Manhattan a half-hour before it was expected to host a party celebrating Jay-Z‘s new album November 22nd.

A witness said a large number of patrons were lined up outside waiting for the 10 p.m. start time. Jay-Z was not expected to attend.

Police dispersed the patrons, many of whom had prepaid for admission, according to club director Carmelo Citron.

The club has had an ongoing “clerical issue” involving its certificate of occupancy, a club spokeswoman told Pollstar.

It was shut down November 22-23 even though it was in compliance with all ordinances, the representative said, adding that being closed on a Wednesday and Thursday in NYC during Thanksgiving Day holiday week wasn’t cheap.