City cracks down on Belltown bar, citing safety issues

The city of Seattle says a Belltown bar and nightclub has a laundry list of violations, including lacking an automatic fire sprinkler system.

It filed court documents on Nov. 14 asking a municipal court judge to require the Ampersand Lounge to pay civil penalties or even shut down until it is in compliance.

The city also cites a pattern of violating the Seattle Fire Code, including going over capacity.

I'm very frustrated with city, fire marshal, and police, manager Dhiresh Tewari said. There are more problems that they need to take care of rather than this Mickey Mouse [business].

KIRO 7 was the first to show Tewari the citys complaint.

It states that the business has failed to install an automatic sprinkler system, as required in a Notice of Violation from the Seattle Fire Department from 2012.

They're saying basically in this that they've given you time, KIRO 7 said.

No, we need more time! Tewari said. This is a $200,000 investment.

The city also states that the lounge is only allowed to have 94 people inside but has, on several occasions, allowed hundreds more, including approximately 300 people on Oct. 12, 2014.

Tewari said he didnt recall the event. He said the club will not be going over capacity again.

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City cracks down on Belltown bar, citing safety issues