A restaurant in the California town of Encinitas was slapped with a $3,000 fine after the city received complaints that patrons were dancing to live music in the dining area. Mr. Peabody’s Bar and Grill ran afoul of an obscure city ordinance from 1986 that bans people from dancing inside restaurants during evening hours.
According to the San Diego Reader, the California Alcohol Beverage Control conducted a four-month undercover investigation at the request of the town following complaints against multiple bars and restaurants in the city.
Brie Cardosa, who owns the restaurant, said they have had live music for over a decade and "didn’t realize we were doing anything wrong." They started an online petition calling for a repeal of the ordinance which had just under 2,00 signatures. Brie said they had an additional 500 signatures from customers who have to come to the restaurant.
The restaurant reluctantly paid the fine and is now considering their next steps. They are hoping the city council will repeal the ban on dancing but said they would start the lengthy application process for an "entertainment establishment permit," which would allow patrons to dance without fear of a fine.
The ordinance was originally passed to keep dance clubs and strip clubs from popping up in the city. An official from the city of San Marco said that the blanket laws banning dancing have been the only restrictions that strip club owners have not been able to successfully fight in court.
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