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Descending the lumpy, sub-sidewalk stairs into the courtyard of El Cid is often the beginning, or the end, of a fascinating evening in Silver Lake. Whether the flamenco-optional musical venue / bar / dance club / restaurant / screening courtyard / birthday-party-location-must-have-for-anyone-under-27 / Santa meet-up is packed tight like skinny jeans or awkwardly open with empty seats for a small touring act, there's a good chance you'll be leaving with a story.
Unfortunately, the loudest stories being heard these days are by the neighbors who are looking to have the location shut down by the city, according to NBC LA.
One of the club's residential neighbors has taken to sleeping with earplugs and noise machines, another has been videotaping "continuous police commotion" outside his window, while others have reported disturbances ranging from foot traffic to finding impatient patrons having sex in their front yard. Even residents of the senior complex across the street are "fed up with the disruption from the nightclub."
"What's happening at El Cid is unacceptable," says LA City Council President Eric Garcetti. Garcetti says his office has met several times with the management of El Cid. Garcetti has even brought together a meeting of police, residents and El Cid management to try and resolve things. If El Cid does not clean up its act, the bar could be shut down permanently, Garcetti says.
Last month, LAFD reportedly shut down El Cid for being over capacity and for blocking fire exits. The manager of El Cid claims a disgruntled former employee is behind the the complaints.
