Top Politico Nightspot Violating City Consent Order
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
A Charles Street nightspot known for hosting various political fundraisers is coming under fire just days after promoting an appearance by a cast member from the hit MTV reality show, Jersey Shore.
A GoLocalProv review of a 2004 Consent Order agreed to between Pearl Restaurant & Lounge (formerly known as Club Confetti), a local neighborhood group and the Providence Board of Licenses shows that Pearl is in violation of the agreement, which clearly lays out that the lounge is not allowed to operate as a nightclub, to have a DJ or to allow more than 75 patrons after 11:00pm.
But the Facebook invite for last Friday’s “7 Year Anniversary Party,” which featured Ronnie from the show Jersey Shore, also promoted a special guest appearance from a DJ known as DJ Head Honcho. Earlier this summer, hundreds of patrons turned out to meet adult film star Sasha Grey, who was also promoted as a guest DJ for the event.
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The 393 Charles Street location, owned by Joseph Aloisio, reached an agreement with the city in 2004 after neighbors complained about underage drinking inside the club. Aloisio is also the former owner of MugShots, the Manton Avenue bar where two teenagers were drinking before they died in a car accident in 2009.
Under the terms of the agreement, Pearl was essentially stripped of its right to run any form of a nightclub and is expected to be reviewed every four months by the Board of Licenses.
John DeLuca, Executive Director of the DaVinci Center, said he recalls receiving complaint after complaint from neighbors about the lounge in the middle of last decade, but that Aloisio has cleaned it up and he has not heard anything recently. He called Pearl “much better managed and well run.”
But DeLuca said he was unaware of the various events that have taken place at Pearl this summer. He said the lounge is not allowed to act as a nightclub.
“That’s not supposed to happen,” he said. “And their license should be revisited because once you get away with it once, you think it’s okay.”
The Past Is The Past
But Aloisio maintains that things have changed and that Pearl has become as valuable part of the community. He pointed to various charity fundraisers that continue to be held at his restaurant.
Pearl has also hosted its share of political events over the years, including a $125 Senate Democrats PAC event in May. The lounge also hosted a meet-and-greet last year with Councilman Nick Narducci and Angel Taveras, who had just won the Democratic Primary for Mayor of Providence. Over the past decade, Aloisio himself has contributed thousands of dollars to former Mayor David Cicilline and various Councilmen.
Aloisio said the past is behind him.
“The past is just that, past,” he said in a statement to GoLocalProv. “Pearl restaurant & lounge has no interest in reliving it. Since 2004 we have continuously strived to remain good neighbors and a very big supporter of the entire community. We have consistently expanded our dining menu, made improvements to the restaurants interior and exterior, as well as held numerous charity fundraisers, special events, and community events. We feel strongly that over the last seven years of operations that our commitment to the community, our guests and team members show more than anything else we are not here to relive the past.”
A Total Disregard For The Law
For now, the party goes on. Next up is a “White Party” set to take place this Sunday evening.
But neighbors say Pearl pulled a u-turn this summer by throwing loud events virtually every weekend. They say they fear the situation will get worse as college students head back to Providence and start to learn about the events taking place.
In September, Pearl is promoting appearances by a cast member of the VH1 reality show Mob Wives as well as a “birthday bash” with performer Clinton Sparks. Early this month, the lounge’s Facebook page listed an event that was being filmed by MTV.
One neighbor who asked not to be identified said the Board of Licenses should step in, but that they have failed to enforce the agreement reached in 2004.
"It amazes us as neighbors that not one condition of the agreement is being followed,” the neighbor said. “We only allowed them a license on the premise of an upscale restaurant not a night club. We are right back to where we were with Club Confetti (same owner) and he gets away with it by the city licensing board who does not enforce any part of the agreement. How do they get away with it, a total disregard for the law?"
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