El Fandango shifts to family restaurant model; board approves one-year renewal after site changes
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Summary
El Fandango's owners told the board they had converted the prior nightclub into a family-oriented Mexican restaurant and removed nightclub features; the board approved a one-year renewal to monitor the change.
The Local Alcoholic Beverage Board of Marion County approved a one-year renewal for El Fandango (RR4935771) after counsel described a redevelopment of the business from a nightclub into a family-style Mexican restaurant.
Counsel said the venues dance floor and DJ/live-entertainment footprint were replaced with tables and a childrens play area, the business cut late-night hours, and the operator represented that a food-heavy model now predominates. Counsel said the venue has added staffing and retraining, and the board was told off-duty officers would be used in the parking lot on busy nights to reduce loitering and disorder.
The board discussed the sites past incident history and the risk that a return to nightclub operations could reintroduce public-safety concerns. Several members said they wanted to give the operator a clear period to demonstrate the new operating model; the board voted to approve a one-year renewal conditional on continued compliance. The board said officers and excise staff should follow up with inspections and that any further public-safety incidents would prompt stronger enforcement.
