Court Avenue nightclub Shag's faces 14-day liquor license suspension, fine
This story was updated at 7 p.m.
A nightclub in Des Moines' Court Avenue district faces a temporary liquor license suspension and fine after at least one person exposed themselves and performed a sexual act at the bar in September.
Des Moines City Council members voted Monday night to approve a settlement to suspend Shag's liquor license for two weeks and fine the club $1,000 after operators opted to waive a hearing on the violation.
Shag's, 216 Court Ave., is owned by Iowa-based food and beverage management company, Paramount Barco. The nightclub, which opened in 2018, offers a "premier nightclub experience and party bar featuring professional DJs and performing artists," according to its website.
According to the council's agenda item, Shag's violated Iowa's indecent exposure law after allowing patrons and entertainers to expose their genitals and perform a sexual act during a performance at the club. The violation, which was captured on video and circulated on social media, happened on Sept. 17.
"The widespread knowledge of the event encouraged Shag’s to accept the proposed settlement," according to the council communication memo submitted by Des Moines Police Chief Dana Wingert.
The fine comes on the heels of concerns raised by community members over how to address violence in Des Moines' downtown entertainment district. In September, one person was shot and another was stabbed during a fight on Court Avenue.
And despite a decrease in persons-related crime and public fights this year compared to 2021, Des Moines Police officers are finding that more people are bringing weapons to the area.
The city, Polk County and the Greater Des Moines Partnership recently teamed up to hire California-based consulting group, Responsible Hospitality Institute, to evaluate safety measures on Court Avenue.
Following council members' approval, the nightclub will be banned from selling, serving or giving away any alcoholic beverages for 14 days, according to city attorney Megan Norberg. The suspension must start on or before Dec. 1 and nightclub operators are required to give city officials a seven-day notice before starting the suspension.
Virginia Barreda is the Des Moines city government reporter for the Register. She can be reached at vbarreda@dmreg.com. Follow her on Twitter at @vbarreda2.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Downtown Des Moines nightclub Shag's reprimanded for indecent show
