Police: Venue presents problems in South Burlington

The Venue nightclub in South Burlington has been the source of numerous problems since opening in fall 2013, Police Chief Trevor Whipple wrote to the City Council as part of a review of the club's liquor license.

Whipple sent the City Council a memorandum that listed recent incidents the police have responded to at the club, including fights, obscene behavior and events that have led to the minor injury of two officers. Venue staff have also reported occupancy at nearly three times the club's approved limit.

Officers have had recurring concerns about violations of Vermont liquor laws and South Burlington city ordinances,Whipple said. Those concerns have grown during the past two months.

As part of the City Council meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, council members, sitting as the Liquor Control Commission, will hold a quarterly review of Venue to examine operational issues and determine if additional license conditions should be imposed.

Calls to the club's owners were not returned Wednesday afternoon.

The club first opened on Porters Point Road in Colchester in December 2010 in a 2,200 square foot space. Co-owners Mike Couture and Kevin Niquette opened the South Burlington site in fall 2013 in the former Orchid Restaurant on Market Street, a 10,000 square foot building.

Niquette is no longer affiliated with the club.

Venue serves as a concert hall and nightclub with events including live bands, DJs and special events.

Whipple said Thursday's meeting will be the second time council members will discuss issues at the nightclub.

City Manager Kevin Dorn, said the first meeting was held when Venue was issued a liquor license last spring. The meeting focused on various public-safety issues and large audiences, he said.

"Some issues have arisen as you might expect when you have a larger facility and there are crowds for certain events," Dorn said. "The council will review those issues with the owners."

Whipple's memo lists the dates and describes in detail the incidents to which police responded.

One of the most recent events occurred Feb. 6, when officers responded to two incidents at a Chippendales show at the club. One woman notified police that she witnessed obscene behavior at Venue. She stated that male performers exposed themselves to the audience and groped female audience members.

Dancers also were seen performing simulated sex acts with patrons, Whipple wrote.

At no time were any members of the Venue staff seen addressing this behavior, the chief added.

Officers also have responded to several highly intoxicated patrons and have broken up numerous fights at the club, including one where an individual was stabbed and required medical care.

Despite a warning to Venue owners the day before the club opened that zoning regulations limit the club to 230 patrons, owners have reported having up to 600 patrons in the building, Whipple said.

According to the memorandum, Whipple has recommended that Venue security staff undergo professional training that would address how to identify highly intoxicated people, and how to prevent to unruly behavior.

Whipple also asked to have Venue staff keep an active head count that can be made available to police upon request.

"Occupancy limits set by zoning regulation should be mandatory condition of any license," he wrote.

The chief also recommended that police should be provided with a list of all shows being held at the club at least seven days in advance.

"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," he wrote.

Contact Haley Dover at 660-1850 or hdover@freepressmedia.com. Follow Haley on Twitter at www.twitter.com/HaleyRDover.