North Charleston, South Carolina. Aqua Lounge, an embattled and infamous North Charleston nightclub, has lost its alcohol license for the time being.
The state Department of Revenue suspended Aqua Lounge and Nightclub’s alcohol license on November 14th, alleging various infractions. The Administrative Law Court convened an emergency hearing on Monday, November 24, allowing the club’s owner, Lorenzo Lavar Johnson, to fight the suspension. He did not show up for the hearing.
The suspension will remain in effect unless Johnson files a contest. If this is not done, the suspension order will stay in effect.
Since early spring, the nightclub on Rivers Avenue has sparked local outrage.
However, it all came to a head after two shootings in six months re-ignited the controversy around the bar and nightclub.
Terrance Bolger, 27, of North Charleston, died in early November from a gunshot wound outside the club.
That shooting followed an incident in early June in which one person was shot inside the club. While North Charleston police investigated the incident, the club’s owner, Lorenzo Johnson, allegedly avoided inquiries and appeared deceitful.
Police also said that he locked them out of the club during the investigation and refused to let them back in.
Johnson was then booked into jail on an obstruction of justice allegation.
According to court records, Johnson is also being sued for money.
Throughout the year, neighbors have expressed complaints about the nightclub’s operations. Residents attempted to push the municipal council in March to amend the zoning restrictions that permitted the firm to continue operations.
Residents stated that events have been taking place at the venue since September 2023.
North Charleston Police have been summoned to the property over 20 times since September 2023 for noise complaints, local law violations, loud parties, and other issues, according to Charleston County Dispatch logs.
