Zen Lounge loses court bid to overturn landlord’s lockout after shooting

The legal battle between Zen Lounge, a popular nightlife spot known for its late-night music and celebrity appearances, and its landlord has ended in disappointment for the club. This week, a county judge denied Zen Lounge’s emergency request to overturn a landlord-imposed lockout following a fatal shooting outside the venue earlier this year.

The ruling effectively bars Zen Lounge from reopening at its current location, reinforcing the landlord’s right to terminate the lease citing public safety concerns and alleged violations of lease terms.

In her written decision, Judge Allison McBride found that the landlord acted within their contractual rights, given the “imminent threat to health and safety” and the club’s alleged “failure to maintain adequate security measures.” The judge also noted that the shooting incident, which left one person dead and two injured, constituted a “material breach of the lease agreement.”

“This decision reflects the responsibility property owners have to ensure their premises are operated safely and in accordance with public interest,” Judge McBride wrote.

The Shooting That Sparked the Dispute

The conflict stems from a late-night shooting that occurred in the early hours of August 24, outside Zen Lounge, a trendy bar and entertainment venue located in a busy commercial district.

Police said an altercation that began inside the club spilled into the parking lot, where multiple shots were fired. One man, later identified as 26-year-old Marcus Reynolds, was killed at the scene, while two others sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

The incident marked the second violent episode linked to Zen Lounge within a year. In October 2024, officers responded to a stabbing outside the same venue, leading city officials to flag the establishment for review.

Following the August shooting, the property’s landlord, Harborview Properties LLC, issued an immediate lockout notice, citing a breach of lease terms related to safety, crowd control, and local ordinances governing alcohol-serving establishments.

The landlord’s attorney, Robert Fields, said the decision to change the locks “was not taken lightly.”

“This was about protecting the community, not punishing a tenant,” Fields told reporters. “Our client has an obligation to maintain a safe property. When a pattern of violence emerges, we must act before another tragedy occurs.”

Zen Lounge’s Legal Challenge

In response, Zen Lounge filed an emergency injunction in county court, arguing that the lockout was unlawful and had caused irreparable financial harm to the business. The club’s attorney, Vanessa Torres, claimed the landlord acted prematurely and without due process.

According to court filings, Zen Lounge alleged that Harborview Properties failed to provide sufficient written notice before terminating the lease — a step required under Florida’s commercial tenancy laws. Torres further argued that the shooting occurred outside the leased premises and involved third parties, for which the business should not be held directly responsible.

In their complaint, Zen Lounge described the closure as a “devastating and disproportionate measure,” asserting that management had “cooperated fully with law enforcement” and implemented new safety protocols, including hiring additional security staff and installing metal detectors.

“We have taken every possible step to ensure our patrons’ safety,” Torres said in a statement following the hearing. “The lockout is not only unjustified but also detrimental to dozens of employees who have now lost their livelihoods.”

However, Judge McBride disagreed, ruling that the landlord’s termination notice complied with state law given the imminent safety risks. The court also pointed to previous warnings and code violations documented by local authorities, suggesting that Zen Lounge had “ample notice and opportunity to correct deficiencies prior to the incident.”

City Officials and Police React

City officials praised the court’s decision, noting that it aligns with their broader effort to crack down on establishments linked to repeated violence.

Deputy Police Chief Raymond Ellis said that police had responded to “at least 18 calls” related to Zen Lounge over the past year, including reports of disorderly conduct, noise violations, and weapons possession.

“We’re not targeting nightlife,” Ellis said. “But when a business becomes a consistent source of danger, the city and property owners have a duty to step in.”

The city’s Public Safety Committee had already been reviewing Zen Lounge’s business license before the court’s ruling. The committee is expected to meet next month to determine whether the club’s liquor license should be revoked or suspended.

Meanwhile, residents and nearby business owners expressed relief that the establishment would remain closed.

Elaine Carter, who owns a bakery next door, said the weekends had become “unbearable.”

“We’d find broken bottles, trash, and sometimes fights spilling into our parking lot,” Carter said. “It’s sad that it took someone dying for something to finally be done.”

Zen Lounge Responds and Considers Appeal

Despite the ruling, Zen Lounge’s management has vowed to continue fighting for its business. In a statement released through their public relations team, the owners said they were “deeply disappointed” and were considering an appeal.

“Zen Lounge has always been a place for music, community, and connection,” the statement read. “We are heartbroken by the violence that occurred near our venue and extend our condolences to the victim’s family. However, we maintain that the actions of individuals outside our premises should not destroy years of work, investment, and community engagement.”

Legal experts say the club’s chances on appeal may be limited. Commercial lease law often gives landlords wide discretion to terminate tenancies when safety or criminal activity is involved — even if the tenant was not directly at fault.

“Once a court finds that the incident creates a legitimate safety concern, it’s very difficult for a business to overturn a lockout,” said Professor Daniel Hsu, a real estate law specialist at the University of Miami. “The public interest in preventing further harm tends to outweigh the tenant’s economic losses.”

A Symbol of a Broader Trend

The Zen Lounge case is part of a growing national trend in which landlords and municipalities are taking stronger action against venues linked to violent incidents. Across major cities, nightclub and bar operators are facing heightened scrutiny over crowd management, alcohol service, and event security.

In many jurisdictions, repeated incidents — even those occurring outside a venue — can trigger license reviews, lease terminations, or civil penalties.

For now, Zen Lounge’s doors remain locked, its neon sign dark. The club’s owners say they hope to reopen elsewhere in the city, with a renewed focus on safety and community trust.

“We’ve learned some hard lessons,” a spokesperson said. “Our goal now is to rebuild — safely, responsibly, and in a way that honors our patrons.”

‍