ENCINITAS, Calif. (KGTV) — Patrons at Mr. Peabody's Bar and Grill have been cleared to boogie by the Encinitas Planning Commission.
Last week, the restaurant's owners brought their request for a conditional use permit to allow dancing at the restaurant, after they were fine $3,000 last year for allowing dancing. The law cited was from 1986 and prevented dancing in Encinitas during the evening hours.
The local restaurant had served food, drinks, and hosted live entertainment for more than a decade when they were hit with the fine.
RELATED: Encinitas restaurant fined for allowing customers to dance
The crack down took place after the city received several complaints about bars along Highway 101, though Mr. Peabody's is several blocks away on Encinitas Boulevard near Interstate 5.
Planning Commission members heard from residents after hearing the permit request, who overwhelming called for a return of the ability to get down. An online petition after the fine was handed down garnered nearly 3,000 people in support of the restaurant.
Commission members unanimously approved the permit, saying similar to how drinking is incidental at the restaurant, so is dancing when music is being played.
The approval establishes dancing Monday through Friday, from 8 p.m. to 12 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, from 4 p.m. to 12 p.m., as requested by the restaurant.
Mr. Peabody's can now also entertain up to five performers on stage during live music.
The restaurant is now awaiting the Encinitas Coastal Commission 25-day appeals period and Alcohol and Beverage Control's approval process for the permit, according to their online petition.
