UPDATED: Beaches Tropicana gets to keep 4 a.m. closing time

WeHo’s Business License Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved an extended business hours license for Beaches Tropicana, located at 8911 Santa Monica Boulevard, which will now be allowed to remain open until 4 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. 

Owners Paul Nichols and Jacob Shaw thanked the commission for the opportunity and emphasized their personal investment in the club and the community. Nichols shared that, despite changes in ownership, he had remained involved with the business and had kept his promises regarding operational improvements.

“We think of our location as being at the center of the Rainbow District, and we hold that responsibility very dear to our hearts,” Shaw said. “It means a lot to us. It’s not just about selling liquor; it’s about serving the community and providing a safe space.”

Patron Bobby Trendy recounted a fond memory during public comment. 

“One night, I was leaving the bar,” Trendy said. “We always pregame at my home up the street, then come down to the bar to have a good time. I always bring two people. I was leaving alone one time, going out the side door by the Showtime clothing store — there’s an entrance over there. The doorman, Don, and his colleague said, ‘Bobby, are you by yourself?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ He actually walked me up to my home in the Norma Triangle. That’s not part of his job, but he walked me home to safety. It’s very dark up Hillldale, and I’ll never forget that. No doorman has ever offered or done that before.

“This is not just a business operating extra hours but also a community center,” Chairman Mark Yusupov said. “It allows people finishing their shifts to go and meet their friends at that place. I feel like it actually makes it safer by having the business open for extended hours, plus having additional security guards present at that location.”

West Hollywood’s Business License Commission will hold a hearing tonight to review an application from Beaches Tropicana, a nightclub at 8911 Santa Monica Boulevard. The nightclub applied for an Extended Hour Business License to stay open until 4 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Beaches Tropicana recently took over Heart WeHo, which had an Extended Hour Business License since June 2023. Per West Hollywood Municipal Code (WHMC) Section 5.08.140, a new business license is required when a business changes ownership.

In August, Beaches Tropicana submitted an application to continue operating between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. on weekends, like the previous owner. The request excludes alcohol sales, which are not allowed after 2 a.m. under state law. The extended hours would allow the nightclub to serve food, soft drinks, and entertainment.

Since August 15, Beaches Tropicana has been operating from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. on weekends under an interim license. This temporary license will remain in effect until the Business License Commission makes a final decision. If denied, the nightclub must close by 2 a.m.

Beaches Tropicana holds three business licenses: Public Eating with Alcohol Service, Entertainment, and Dance. It also has state and city permits for alcohol sales until 2 a.m. The current operating hours are Thursday to Sunday, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Four other nearby businesses, including Micky’s and Guisados, have Extended Hour Business Licenses allowing them to operate after 2 a.m.

WHMC Section 5.52.040 requires the commission to review and approve all applications for extended hours. One condition is that businesses must provide enough off-street parking to prevent traffic and noise issues in nearby neighborhoods. The business must also be well-maintained and prevent illegal activities on or near the premises with proper security measures.

WHMC Section 5.52.030 adds further requirements, such as having a manager on-site at all times, installing lighting to reduce glare on nearby properties, and taking steps to reduce noise. The business must also implement security measures to ensure safety for employees and customers.

Beaches Tropicana plans to minimize traffic and noise impacts on nearby neighborhoods. The business is in a commercial area with public parking, including a large lot nearby. However, Parking Enforcement reported issues with cars parking at red curbs near the nightclub. To address this, the business will be required to hire a security guard to monitor the area during extended hours.

The business does not plan to renovate immediately, as the building was remodeled in 2021. The building is in good condition, and the city’s property maintenance ordinance will address any future issues.

Beaches Tropicana has hired licensed security officers and installed 40 surveillance cameras. During extended hours, six unarmed security guards will be on duty. The nightclub will also be responsible for covering any public safety costs related to calls for service during those hours.

One of the security guards will monitor noise levels and prevent loitering. No deliveries will be allowed during extended hours. There have been no noise complaints since the nightclub began operating in August 2024, and only one complaint was filed about the previous business, which was found to be without violation.

City staff contacted the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station to review calls for service at the nightclub between August 2023 and September 2024. There were 88 calls for service, with 25 occurring between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. Most were related to pickpocketing, and the second-highest number of calls were for assaults, batteries, and disturbances. Another nearby nightclub had a similar number of calls during the same period.

City staff reviewed all information and believes extending the nightclub’s hours until 4 a.m. on weekends is reasonable if the outlined conditions are met. These conditions include six licensed unarmed security guards, metal detectors for all patrons entering during extended hours, and the closing of the outdoor patio at 2 a.m.

The Business License Commission will monitor the nightclub’s compliance through random inspections. The commission will decide whether to approve the license based on WHMC Sections 5.52.030 and 5.52.040.