The Nightclub Formerly Known As Platinum

My understanding (although not confirmed) is that Platinum had 1 year left on its lease. This seems to be their attempt to sublet the space or find someone to take over the space.

i am not one to go out dancing but i sure am doing a celebration dance right now here in my condo at this news!!!! yeah!!! i have been sleeping better since they closed their doors.

Such a magnificent old building – hopefully, something more appropriate than a nightclub will go into it.

EXCELLENT!
The neighborhood is moving in the right direction. Hopefully something that has daytime hours moves in there. So it won’t be a sleepy place for sleepy daytime sleepy people that leave their trash and urine.

More appropriate than a nightclub? That building has housed nightclubs since the late 1970s — its been a club longer than it was ever a bank.

I hope it goes to a decent retailer — I am tired of overpriced restaurants. Maybe a Barney’s Co-op.

I am so happy that one more establishment that has not been a good neighbor has closed its doors. I can just imagine what another summer would have brought. On a side note, this morning I was physically assaulted on the Metro by one of the kids I recognize from in front of McDs on 7th. I’m not a small guy, but probably don’t look threatening in a suit, and I was shocked as this kid reached over and literally touched my face as he and some friends were clowning around on the platform. I was more shocked than anything and let him know that I wasn’t going to let this slide, and he backed off- but I could only imagine what would have happened if it were someone of smaller size, or the next time I walk through his crowd with all his friends in front of my building.

Jon – you’re tired of overpriced restaurants but you’re OK with overpriced clothes from Barney’s Co-Op? Hmm…

That’s not to say Barney’s wouldn’t be a lovely swanky addition to the neighborhood! But it would, unfortunately, be yet another place in the neighborhood I can’t afford to spend my money

Such great news! I’ve been sleeping better for weeks!!!

Hopefully whatever replaces it will not attract shootings to our neighborhood.

I think you should have layed that kid out.

It was a bank way longer than it was a nightclub, maybe 60 years vs. 30 years. The point is, it would be far better for the neighborhood to have something with a daytime AND evening purpose, not just something that’s open from 11 PM to 3 AM, while during the day its a trash-strewn, locked up facade.

#6, next time throw the kid in front of the next incoming Metro. Those fools in front of McD’s have taken over our neighborhood on weekend nights. We need to continue to write the city council about this issue.

Wait… You guys moved to this area, presumably after Platinum was in operation, and now complain about a club being in its place? It’s a city. Part of what makes cities great is nightlife. If you don’t want it, why were you living near it? I’m not trying to be snarky, but it is a question that strikes at the heart of NIMBYism.

It’s good to want to improve the neighborhood, but don’t act indignant about something that’s been there for years.

SGDC- I don’t think it’s so much about being NIMBYish, or even not knowing what to expect. I lived next to Coyote Ugly (shared wall) while it was open, and understand that some things like loud music come with the territory.

It is things like the shootings outside Platinum, or the assault I referenced earlier that residents- regardless of what party of the city you live in, should have to deal with. This just happens to be our community and we are trying to figure out ways to make it better/safer.

PQer- Honestly, I was so shocked. This was Monday morning on the way to work- in the Metro station. But you bring up an interesting point- how should residents respond to the harassment that goes on daily outside our buildings. The reality of a staffer or government workers, etc. getting in fights with teenagers seems silly, but if it were to happen to a family member or significant other, that would probably set me off, and I’m sure a few of my neighbors have encountered this scenario.

Thanks SCDG. I agree 100%. You moved to a city with existing entities. Deal with it. Stop turning Downtown into Suburbia.

I live directly behind Platinum’s back door and have for 5 years. The truth is, that after the first few months of arguing about soundproofing (which they did), and the frequently illegally parked cars in the alley, they are really not too bad of a neighbor. The owners have been relatively responsive to address issues.

As far as preferring a Barneys over another restaurant — I can get any cuisine I can think of in a few block radius. How many fusion restaurants — or worse — chains — can we accommodate?! I can’t find decent clothes (stylish, non-stodgy, non-schlock/Macys) without heading out of town. That’s what I meant.

SCDG,

Welcome to the world of the PQ Living comments. Where NIMBY and veiled racism permeate the discussion when not discussing the elusive supermarket.

Ultra Bar is definitely a better neighbor than Platinum, according to Miles Groves, they seem much more willing to work with residents regarding concerns.

I know the space is not right for it, but I think we need some late night food places. Only New Big Wong is open after 3am on weekends.

Knock out the inner walls and open up Ultrabar. This is a great neighborhood club and really adds to the area. I swear some people on here are trying to turn this area into Naples, FL..

Cities change over time and it’s time for these clubs to move on to other parts of town. Downtown areas are supposed to be thriving with various restaurants, shops, residences, etc. These clubs were part of the neighborhood, but that property is much too valuable to be used solely as nightclubs.

I’m not sure what veiled racist comments were posted on this page, and frankly it is offensive. As a biracial male who has dedicated a career to creating and protecting job opportunities for people of all races, I fail to see how pointing out problems and harassment in the neighborhood is racist. The fact is, this neighborhood, and the city as a whole, has changed significantly in the past 15 years )some areas more than others). Having gone from an inner city high school to Georgetown law fifteen years ago, I can say that this neighborhood has improved with regards to economic opportunity, decreased spread of HIV, and less chronic drug use.

This is not about NIMBYism, racism or trying to turn downtown into suburbia. Platinum has had every chance to operate in a safe manner. They have chosen not too.

For those who are not aware, the reasons they are being closed are not because of noise, neighborhood complaints or other superficial issues.

They were initially closed for 50 days because of 13 documented and investigated incidents of assault by their bouncers on their own patrons during 2006-2007 (note this is likely the tip of the iceberg as these are only the ones where a complaint was filed and ABRA investigated).

They were then closeed indefinitely related to the shooting incident. Not simply because there was a shooting, but because it stemmed from a fight inside the club and most importantly when the police attempted to investigate Platinum’s owner lied to the police and told them that nothing had happened in the club that night hindering the investigation.

When the Chief of police states in writing the following, its a pretty good bet that the place needs to go.

“It is my belief that there is no other immediately available measure [other than closure] to ameliorate the danger [Platinum] presents to the public…”

“Based on the egregious nature of the shooting and the failure of the establishment to request police assistance for the two altercatiosn that occurred prior to the shooting, along with the recent past histor fo the club, I have concluded that the public-safety interests of the community and protection of lives would be best served if the license to operate the “Platinum” was revoked”.

A late night food place is much needed. How great would it be if it turned into a 24hr diner like in Adams Morgan?

Re: the noise at Platinum, I wonder how to best address these noise disturbances when they occur in the future. I need some advice for construction noise that has been going on for three weeks at 5:30 a.m. I have had no response from city or building contractor. Has anyone tried or do you think it would work to sort of build some protest signs and hand out leaflets in front of the building where it is occurring. Would I need a permit? Does anyone want to help volunteer for one hour in the morning or at lunch?

Maybe we could build a volunteer group to send out a group of four to six people when these incidents occur throughout Penn quarter and when there is no response from DC. Thanks for any input.

Regarding the 24/7 Diner I think 1005 7th St. NW would be a good location. It’s a vacant Jemal address that is temporarily being used as a Jack Evans campaign office.

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2008/05/08/evans-campaign-to-occupy-legendary-political-address/

I largely agree with #19. It is not the fact that Platinum is a club that is getting it shut down. It is really the bad owner who is being shut down, which results in the club being shut down. I think if it were able to be reopened as a different club under a more responsible owner that would be fine, but I’m not sure the related liquor laws allow that to happen too easily.

I don’t mind if Platinum stays a nightclub,but surely we could find a club with more responsive management and better security. Also, hopefully, one who cleans the used condoms off the sidewalk.

I don’t care what moves in as long as they are prepared to be a good neighbor.

I’ve never been inside,but would it be big enough for say the 9:30 club to come back to it’s home?

Who is the owner of the nightclub? Same owner as H2O and The Park?

Platinum is MUCH smaller than 930. Anyway, they moved out of the neighborhood for a reason. And it wasn’t because real estate was cheap.