South Whittier bikini bar loses bid to renew license

Off the Wire News - MCs in the News
By Bethania Palma Markus, Staff Writer
The Hideout Bikini Bar on Telegraph Road in Whittier is known for waitresses who work wearing bikinis, lost its food and beverage license this week. Authorities claim the bar attracted a bad element and became known for assaults, fights and other criminal activity. (SGVN/Staff Photo by Eric Reed)
SOUTH WHITTIER - A bar known for bikini-clad bartenders lost its food and beverage license this week, officials said.
Residents and authorities said the Hide Out bikini bar, 13456 Telegraph Road, was known for fights and criminal activity, creating a neighborhood nuisance.
At the request of county officials and neighbors, the county's Business License Commission on Wednesday denied the public-eating business license of the bar, which means it can no longer operate.
"We were looking at the public safety and quality of life aspects," said Los Angeles County Sheriff's Lt. Al Reyes. "It was very violent. There were a lot of assaults and disturbance calls there."
The bar is owned by Micropaladin Inc. at 989 W. San Bernardino Road, Covina, which is the site of The Well bikini bar, according to state records. Douglas Slavinski is listed as the company's president.
Employees who answered the phone at The Well said the owner of bar would not comment.
In a report prepared in the bar's defense, security consultant Robert Feliciano Associates wrote almost all of the reports of crime at the bar were unfounded. He also pointed out that the bar had security surveillance and a good record of notifying deputies when problems occurred.
Robert Feliciano is a Criminal Justice instructor at Rio Hondo College and also runs a security consulting company.
Motorcycle-riding patrons wore jackets bearing the insignia of the Mongols Motorcycle Club, a neighbor said.Sheriff's deputies had responded to the business 33 times in the last two years for things like fights, assaults and a non-fatal shooting last year, authorities said.
Neighbors said they hoped The Hide Out would close soon.
"There are fights on a daily basis," said a man who lives nearby. He asked his name be withheld for fear of retribution from a biker gang that hung out at the bar. "It's a public nuisance."
bethania.palma@sgvn.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
562-698-0955, ext. 3028
Original article...
http://www.whittierdailynews.com/news/ci_14143658