Sugar nightclub owner slammed with $5000 fine for patrons ‘swaying’ to music

A city nightclub owner has vowed to refuse to pay a $5k fine for allegedly breaching Covid dancing rules, as Adelaide Fringe operators call for an urgent review of restrictions.

A Rundle St nightclub owner says he will refuse to pay a $5000 dancing fine that made him sound like a “threat to national security”.

The fine and growing frustrations about restrictions on dancing has prompted hospitality owners and Adelaide Fringe chief executive Heather Croall to call for a review of the rules.

Sugar nightclub owner Driller Jet Armstrong – who is running sugateca in conjunction with Pizzateca in an open laneway as part of Fringe – copped a $5092 fine for dancing near a DJ console on February 26.

A large group of people dancing in Rundle Street – before the police arrived and shut it down, fining Sugar nightclub in the process for breaching anti-dancing Covid rules.

He said there was a bouncer telling people to stop dancing inside the venue, and only became aware of the “comical” SA Police offence about six days later, when the fine was issued to him.

Mr Armstrong, who said he had no intention of paying the fine, said the notice was unfair because there were people dancing and swaying outside his venue to music in the street.

“I was standing next to my son at the time who was DJing … so if I’m swaying or moving to the music it is not purposely or wilfully,” Mr Armstrong said.

“I’m sticking up for dancing and I will be contesting this fine, I look forward to a day in court … even the way the fine is worded makes me look like a threat to national security.

“I am in a laneway and in the open air – there were people walking past and boogying to the music on the street.”

The Fringe gave the sugateca event – a registered Adelaide Fringe venue – a grant to pay rent for the laneway because its “vibrancy” was missed last year.

Driller Jet Armstrong says he will be “sticking up for dancing” after copping a $5k fine. Picture: Russell Millard

Last month, Police Commissioner Grant Stevens significantly eased restrictions, allowing stand up drinking indoors, and permitting dancing to return at private functions with a maximum of 150 people.

Under current directives, dancing is still banned at nightclubs.

Mr Armstrong said Covid-19 directives should be reviewed every week.

Adelaide Fringe chief executive Heather Croall said the rules were inconsistent and confusing.

“If outdoor dancing and vertical consumption is allowed in one outdoor venue then it should be allowed across the board in all outdoor venues,” Ms Croall said.

“We are really hoping that will be the case soon.”

The Advertiser sourced footage of revellers on Rundle St dancing along to music in the middle of the road.

Pizzateca co-owner Tim Anderson said the fine was “ridiculous” and sugateca had been subjected to “double standards”.

In February, Leigh St venue Plain Jane was hit with a $5k fine after revellers were filmed dancing and not wearing masks.

In November, top Adelaide restaurant Golden Boy had its $5k fine dropped for exceeding the number of diners allowed in the venue.

SA Police said the venue had been “provided education” on two separate breaches on February 4 and 19.

“Police have always taken an educational approach in the first instance, however if businesses or people continue to flout the rules they can issued with a fine,” a SA Police spokesman said.

Mr Armstrong has denied that he was provided education or cautioned.