Police: Lodi Bar Charged More For Drinks In Exchange For Female Companionship
LODI (CBS13) — A Lodi nightclub has been banned from selling alcohol after police say the bar was putting a high price on alcohol in exchange for female companionship.
The El Encanto night club is not allowed to serve alcohol for the next 30 days.
Investigators say the bar put a surcharge on the drinks they were selling in exchange for women to keep customers company.
The red building tucked behind a small, family-friendly shopping complex has been under scrutiny and surveillance for the last two years.
"Broken beer bottles, music, loud music and at night, it seemed really really bad at night," said Tonya Mich at Have A Tan.
It's complaints like that and tips from the public that led police on a sting operation of El Encanto Sports Bar and Nightclub.
"We've received several calls there. We had fight calls. We've had several DUIs come out of there and I believe there was even a fight where shots were fired," said Lodi Police Sgt. Rick Garcia.
Among many violations, Garcia says the bar was charging customers higher drink prices for female company, then split that bar tab with the female employees.
"If someone just going in and they pay $2 for a beer, you can't charge someone else $6 for the same beer just because they're having the company from a female," he said.
John Carr with the California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control says it violates state code.
"I think it's important to note that if you have a drink solicitation scheme that's going on inside a location, it can lead to overconsumption of alcohol and then that can lead to other public safety issues," he said.
The business doesn't have any prior violations, but any more in the next two years could pull the plug on its liquor license for good.
