MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Three South Beach nightclubs have taken legal action against Miami Beach’s newly implemented midnight curfew, which aims to control the chaos of spring break. However, their challenge has been denied by a judge. The M2, Mynt Lounge, and Exchange nightclubs filed a complaint, but the judge ruled that city officials had acted in good faith when imposing the curfew.
During a court hearing, city manager Alina Hudak testified that the curfew was necessary due to larger and rowdier crowds of spring breakers. Hudak cited the success of the curfew on Friday night, with crowds thinning out as midnight approached.
The complaint was filed just 30 minutes before the curfew time. It argued that the curfew unfairly penalizes the clubs’ lawful business operations and was imposed without sufficient warning or justification. The complaint also stated that the clubs had hosted thousands of patrons without causing harm to residents or visitors.
The curfew was scheduled to be in effect throughout the weekend, but the nightclubs sought to nullify it. However, the judge did not find that the businesses would suffer irreparable harm.
The owner of Mynt Lounge, Romain Zago, expressed his confusion over the imposition of the curfew, considering that other measures had successfully kept crowds small and calm in previous weeks. Zago also highlighted the financial impact the curfew would have on his business and employees.
Large crowds have gathered in South Beach for spring break, particularly on Ocean Drive. The curfew enforcement went smoothly, with police almost completely clearing the area by 12:15 a.m.
Miami Beach’s decision to impose a curfew during spring break is not new, as it has been done for the past four years. However, this year’s curfew was enforced despite a relatively quiet month in March thanks to the city’s “break up with spring break” campaign.
The third weekend of March has historically been problematic for Miami Beach, with stampedes, shootings, and other incidents related to spring break revelers. City officials had warned residents, visitors, and businesses that a curfew was likely this year.
The battle over the curfew will continue, but for now, the judge’s ruling has upheld Miami Beach’s decision to control the unruly spring break crowds.