M2 Ultra Lounge may not get a second chance from the DOH. After yesterday's tribunal hearing, the city is vowing to close at least one of the five clubs brought forth to defend themselves for violating the Smoke-Free-Air Act. Lawyer Thomas Merrill told the Daily News "We made it clear we will go forward and we are not interested in making a deal." Though all five clubs are in danger of getting their licenses revoked, M2 is apparently the worst violator.
The Imperial reportedly may agree to pay thousands of dollars in fines and get one more chance to stop people from lighting up inside, and Southside Night Club, The Box and Lit Lounge all got more time to prepare their cases and will return next month. But M2 may have to close. The city's testimony included photos of bouncers chatting with smokers and evidence of cigarettes for sale in the bathroom.
M2's lawyer insists that cigarette sales were not sanctioned by the owner and that "we make a good-faith effort to stop smokers, but it's almost impossible to stop everyone." Impossible! Especially when the owner doesn't even try to kick people out, as he admitted yesterday. But wait, if M2 goes down, where will Justin Dior Combs hold his 17th birthday party?
