Vt. Venue Faces License Review

Officers have recently responded to calls over fights, obscene behavior, and occupancy violations at The Venue. The 230-capacity club, which opened in 2013 and hosts concerts, DJs and other events, was only issued a liquor license last spring, but it seems it’s been a wild year.

Police responded to a call during a Chippendales show after a woman claimed the male performers exposed themselves and groped female audience members, the Burlington Free Press reported. Officers have also broken up several fights at The Venue including one in which a patron was stabbed, and the club has reportedly had as many as 600 patrons in the building for some events.

Police Chief Trevor Whipple has called for additional training for the club’s staff, an active head count that could be given to police when requested, and a list of all shows being held at least seven days in advance, the paper noted.

“If there is concern for patron or officer safety based upon the history of the performance, the chief may mandate police coverage at the expense of the club,” Whipple wrote in a memo. The city council was scheduled to hold a quarterly review of The Venue’s liquor license and examine recent issues at press time.