Costa Mesa approves amendments for Arena OC nightlife venue operations

The Costa Mesa Planning Commission meeting on April 14, 2025, focused on the review of the Arena OC nightclub, previously known as the Commissary Lounge, located at 2968 Randolph Avenue. The commission discussed amendments to the nightclub's entitlements, which included expanded hours of operation and the establishment of a type 90 music venue ABC license.

The approved changes allowed the nightclub to operate from 8 PM instead of 9 PM and to host patrons aged 18 and over on Thursdays and certain holidays. This decision was made after concerns were raised by the Costa Mesa Police Department regarding the potential impact of allowing minors in the venue, particularly in relation to emergency service calls. A condition was added to review the nightclub's operations after six months and again after twelve months to assess any impacts on city resources.

During the meeting, staff reported that there had been no significant increase in emergency calls related to the nightclub since the changes were implemented. Only two calls were logged on Thursdays when minors were allowed, and there were no noise complaints or code violations associated with the venue. Staff concluded that the business had complied with the imposed conditions and did not recommend any modifications at this time.

Commissioners raised questions about the nightclub's operations, including whether the owner had attended the meeting and if there was a count of patrons aged 21 and over on Thursday nights. Staff confirmed that while there was no specific count, a log of ticket sales was maintained. The commission also discussed the importance of monitoring social media for any unauthorized 18-plus events, which staff had done, finding limited occurrences.

The commission plans to continue monitoring the nightclub's operations and will conduct another review in August, marking the twelve-month anniversary of the approval. The discussions highlighted the balance between providing entertainment options for younger patrons and ensuring community safety and compliance with regulations.