The proposed downtown Las Vegas nightclub, Bauhaus, which recently ignited a contentious scene during a planning commission meeting, has received unanimous approval from the City Council.
This decision follows a detailed review of the commission’s previous endorsement of the project and clears the way for the club to open at the former site of Azul Tequila and Place on 7th, located at 115 N. 7th St.
The approval comes with a special use permit that mandates a review of the club’s operating hours six months and one year after opening.
The planning commission meeting held on March 11 took an unexpected turn when a dispute erupted between Bilal Razzaq, the head of the project, and Nathan Taylor, a land-use consultant hired by project applicant Sidrazz Investments LLC.
Taylor alleged that Razzaq threatened him during the meeting, claiming, “I’m going to kick your ass.”
Footage from the meeting captured some of the altercation, which arose from a disagreement regarding representation for the nightclub.
As tensions escalated, Razzaq approached Taylor and gestured for him to exit the meeting, ultimately leading to Taylor’s dismissal from the project.
While Razzaq denied making any threatening remarks, a police report indicated that responding officers found no criminal behavior, labeling the incident as a verbal dispute.
However, Razzaq was taken into custody after authorities uncovered a felony arrest warrant for him from Nolan County, Texas, related to allegations of “engaging in organized criminal activity.”
He later posted a $5,000 bail at the Clark County Detention Center and subsequently reported to Texas law enforcement.
The details surrounding the Texas case remain unclear but have raised questions about Razzaq’s future involvement with the nightclub.
On Wednesday, Sidrazz Investments confirmed that Razzaq is no longer affiliated with the nightclub, with management duties now falling to Rafiq Merchant.
Contacted for comment, Razzaq referred inquiries to his attorney, who has yet to respond.
In a statement, Razzaq expressed his discontent, stating, “I’m done with Las Vegas, and I’m done with Nevada.”
The conflict between Taylor and Razzaq was amplified when the latter’s narrative clashed with a deal reached by Sidrazz Investments and the El Cortez hotel-casino, along with the Downtown Project, which imposed specific conditions on the nightclub’s permit.
Representatives from both El Cortez and Downtown Project expressed concerns over potential noise disturbances from the club affecting their nearby establishments.
Taylor described the El Cortez executives as having been “quite intimidating” during earlier discussions, a characterization that Joe Woody from the El Cortez disputed during the commission meeting.
Woody clarified, “We were not intimidating,” emphasizing the hotel’s significant investment in expansion plans that could be jeopardized by excessive noise.
Eventually, the Downtown Project and El Cortez agreed to endorse the nightclub, acknowledging the outlined conditions.
The operators of Bauhaus stated that the club would be operational until 4 a.m. on school nights, revised from the initially proposed 8 a.m. closing time, and that the outdoor patio would be closed between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. on certain days.
“Generally we are supportive of this venture now,” Woody told the City Council during the meeting, underscoring the need for a clear process to seek corrective action in response to any noise complaints.
Both Merchant and Mack reiterated that significant investments would be made to minimize outdoor noise levels.
“Definitely, we will be working with the neighbors, and once everything is done, we would like for someone to come and listen to the music and see how loud it is,” Merchant stated.
“We can say as much as we want to, but once you hear it, you will see.”
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