Miami Beach Club To Reopen After Costly Stunt

MIAMI BEACH, FL — A Miami Beach nightclub that lost its business license over a spring break stunt involving a white horse and a thong-wearing female rider, will be permitted to reopen on Wednesday after missing nearly two weeks of the all-important season. The video of the animal bucking its rider at the crowded Mokai Lounge sparked outrage from animal lovers and swift action from this tourist-dependent resort city. The club agreed to meet a number of conditions, not the least of which is a future ban on promotions involving horses and other animals.

"The petitioner agrees not to allow, permit, authorize or grant any individual or entity the right or access of animals, of any nature whatsoever, into the business or its premises," stated an agreement reached on Monday between Miami Beach officials and the establishment.

According to the agreement, Mokai will pay $12,150 in fines for five separate city violations and make a $10,000 donation to horse rescue organization Peaceful Ridge Rescue within 10 days. In exchange, the club agreed to drop any court action against the city and its officials.

If the club violates any of the provisions of the agreement, its owners agreed to an "automatic and permanent revocation" of its Business Tax Receipt and Certification of Use.

"We're back open so we're very happy," the club's attorney, Louis Terminello, told Local 10 news.

The video shows the unsaddled animal in the crowded nightclub bucking its rider multiple times as it struggled to get free. The horse appeared to have been possibly spooked by the loud music and club atmosphere.

"What kind of idiot would endanger people's lives," Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber told reporters at the time.

City Manager Jimmy L. Morales issued the initial order revoking the Business Tax Receipt and Certificate of Use for Mokai Lounge on March 9. The club is located at 235 23 Street in South Beach.

"The foregoing penalties are a substantial consequence against Mokai, but do not fully factor in the loss of revenues that the club endured from the 12 days that they were not permitted to continue their business operations," said Morales on Monday. "This 12-day period of closure further serves to deter such improper conduct since, as claimed by the owners, it did have a significant impact upon the club."

The city manager called the incident an "expensive lesson" for the club owners.

Ernesto Rodriguez of the Miami Beach Police Department said after the incident that police located the horse and found it to be in good condition.

Photo by Paul Scicchitano.