Lava Adelaide nightclub rejects claims patron was ejected for not drinking alcohol at Pulteney St club

Lava Adelaide managing director Charlie Flehan told The Advertiser that the middle-aged man was asked to leave the Pulteney St club early Saturday after female patrons claimed he was making them feel “uncomfortable”.

The man, who asked to only be identified as John, had claimed he was dancing sober at the club when a security officer told him that customers needed to be drinking alcohol or leave.

Mr Flehan said none of his four Adelaide nightclubs had such a policy and said Lava Adelaide’s chief mission was to provide a safe environment for its predominantly female customer base.

“I spoke to the man and said I’d had reports he was making female customers feel uncomfortable, he asked me if it was because he wasn’t drinking and I told him, no it was nothing to do with that,” Mr Flehan said.

Mr Flehan said the fact that John was in his early 50s had no bearing on his eviction.

“We have a lot of older customers that come to Lava, we have absolutely no issue with age at all, we pride ourselves on creating a safe and happy environment,” he said.

“And to suggest it’s a business decision for people to drink alcohol is ridiculous, we would make more money out of someone drinking bottled water than alcohol in happy hour.”

John denied that he had been the subject of a complaint or that staff had claimed women had complained about him.

“There were a group of girls on a hens night who were dancing with me and another guy earlier, but they came up to me — I’ve never harassed anyone in my life,” John said.

John said he was waiting for a response from the Liquor Licensing Commissioner after making an official complaint.

Mr Flehan said his staff were aware of their legal obligations and always acted to ensure the safety and comfort of patrons.

Originally published as Nightclub rejects drinking policy claims

Source: The Australian, Andrew Dowdell, 30^th September 2015
Originally published as: Lava Adelaide nightclub rejects claims patron was ejected for not drinking alcohol at Pulteney St club