Miami party hotspot closes food and beverage service temporarily amid spring break chaos
spring break chaos until Wednesday at least.
“One reason for our prominence and long-standing reputation has been our focus on the safety and well-being of our staff and patrons,” the Clevelander’s management team said in a statement on its website. “Recently, we have grown increasingly concerned with the safety of our dedicated employees and valued customers and the ability of the City to maintain a safe environment in the surrounding area.”
All employees will be paid in full during the period of closing and the Clevelander said it would reevaluate the situation over the coming days.
The hotel remains operational while food and beverage facilities including the Clevelander Kitchen and Bar, Game On and the C-Level Rooftop Terrace will be closed, according to the Miami Herald.
The Clevelander’s decision to close its doors to the public was made after a street fight caused chaos and damage, trashing Social, a restaurant next door to the Clevelander, the Herald reported.
Jessica Francos, vice president of operations for Jesta Hotels, the portfolio of which includes the Clevelander, told the Herald they’ve seen the situation getting out of control — and not just at Social.
“Last weekend there was a stampede very close to us and people spilled onto our property, running inside, into the restaurant, into our kitchen, into our lobby,” Francos said.
Monday, the Herald reported, a man was fatally shot near a residential area tied to a South Beach shooting.
Miami Beach faces influx of spring breakers
Part of the reason for the ruckus, according to Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber, is the influx of spring breakers who have flocked to the city with its limited restrictions and sunny beaches.
kicked off with police in Miami Beach shooting pepper balls to disperse a crowd that had gathered around officers who were making an arrest.
One of the officers body-slammed James Harrison, 19, as he was being taken into custody, and the crowd became “extremely aggressive towards officers,” according to a copy of the police report.
