A popular South Florida bar and restaurant was shut down by the City of Miami Saturday for “violating a sound order,” according to a manager.
Three popular South Florida bars and restaurants were shut down by the City of Miami Beach for "violating a sound order" Saturday.
Thomas Donall, owner of Palace Bar in South Beach, said his venue was just starting to make up for lost business when they were asked to shutter their doors.
"We've been through enough," Donall said. "I'm humiliated right now, and I have an empty restaurant, and I'm just trying to make it and get through this COVID, as we all are."
A spokesperson for Miami Beach Code Enforcement said that officials had been forced to ask Palace, Cafe Milano and Clevelander, all on Ocean Drive, to close.
"Each business will be closed for 24 hours for violating the emergency order, which only allows establishments to play music and have entertainment at ambient levels," the spokesperson said.
"We welcome our businesses to operate, but they must do so in accordance with the applicable guidelines. Miami-Dade County remains under a declaration of emergency as a result of COVID-19."
Palace Bar's manager Miguel Blanco told NBC 6 he believed the venue was complying with all COVID-19 rules and regulations. He and Donall added that the bar has installed sanitization stations, and expanded tables to encourage social distancing.
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"This is a really hard time for us," Blanco said. "We ask people to wear the mask, if they don't have the mask, they are not allowed inside... The music doesn't spread the virus."
The restaurant was reportedly at capacity for dinner, and drag shows were taking place when a code enforcement officer entered the premises and closed down the venue.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that the City of Miami shut down three local bars and restaurants.
