DAYTONA BEACH — The city is suing to shut down a South Ridgewood Avenue business called Minglers, which advertises itself as a swingers club hosting themed events like “Arabian Nights — A Harem’s Orgy” and “Sheer & Clear” with “barely there clothing.”

The city filed a lawsuit Aug. 19 seeking an injunction to close the club, alleging it is operating in violation of city zoning without a tax receipt and without city water service. A hearing is set for 10 a.m. Wednesday before Circuit Judge Dennis Craig at the Courthouse Annex in Daytona Beach.

The building housed a church known as New Beginnings of Daytona until September 2015. But now it's being advertised as a swingers club, two blocks south of City Hall.

Wes Amos is listed as the owner of Minglers, according to a business tax receipt application. Amos referred questions to his attorney, Brett Hartley, a part owner of Grandview Live, an adult club that opened in February on the beachside. Hartley said he has no ownership interest in Minglers and is strictly its attorney.

Minglers is not a night club or a bottle club and doesn’t serve food, said Hartley, adding that it's appropriate for the zoning.

“It’s no different than a book club or a birding club. They get together and take part in their lifestyle,” Hartley said.

No money is collected at the door; instead people become members of lifestyle groups and they receive information about where to gather with others of a similar inclination, he said.

"It's not a sex club. It's a lifestyle club where people use the facility to meet others and then they may leave and do their own thing," Hartley said.

Hartley said the club had been paying the water bill and called the city's shutting off the water an illegal, strong-arm tactic.

"It's just an effort to shut them down because they don't fit someone else's moral standard," Hartley said. "That's offensive. That's incredibly offensive."

The club, though, is making do. People bring their own drinks and ice can be kept in a cooler. Toilets can function if you keep a bucket of water nearby, Hartley said.

Amos gives a Cocoa address and is listed as president of Minglers, according to state corporate records. Records also show that a Wes Amos is listed as secretary for Lifestyle Society of Brevard Inc. in Melbourne.

The city denied it the tax receipt because it said the area's "T-2" zoning does not permit "adult theater" or bottle clubs. The city filed the lawsuit against Minglers Inc. and William Dennison Sr., who owns the property and leased the building to Amos.

Dennison said he is caught in the middle of legal action he wants no part of. He said he pays real estate agents to lease the building to legitimate tenants that comply with the zoning.

"I don't understand why I'm getting dragged into it. I don't have anything to do with the business," Dennison said.

Dennison said if he throws Minglers out he will get sued by them.

Police officers have stopped to check on the club, according to affidavits.

Daytona Beach Police Officer Jerome Hassell stopped by Minglers at 9:08 p.m. June 10 and spoke to Amos, who told him he was hosting “a get-together.” Amos said he had no intention of canceling the event. The next day about 10:33 p.m. two officers checked the property and saw 18 cars in the parking lot, noticed black lights and music coming from the building. The water shutoff system was still intact, an affidavit said.

On July 15, Officers Ashley Rossi and C. Maher stopped by Minglers at 10 p.m. Rossi wrote she could see purple lights and flashing strobes inside the building. Maher walked to the front door and spoke with Amos, who was wearing an animal print shirt consistent with the advertised theme of the evening — jungle night. Maher asked if the officers could step inside.

“No, it is a private party,” Amos replied, according to Rossi’s affidavit.

The officers also said they saw what appeared to be the top of an animal cage.

A reporter asked Amos in a phone interview whether there were any animals in the cage.

“No animals,” he said.

Hartley said he didn't know about the cage.

"I'm not exactly sure," Hartley said. "There's certainly no animal in there. Maybe it's just decorative."