LIV owner David Grutman poses for a photograph at the nightclub, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020, in Miami Beach, Fla. LIV, one of Miamiand#39;s most glamorous, star-studded nightclubs sits empty and quiet these days, a casualty of both the coronavirus outbreak and a power struggle between state and local government over how to contain the scourge.
At LIV, one of the most glamorous, star-studded nightclubs in one of the world’s biggest party destinations, there’s a velvet-roped VIP area, and then there’s a secret VIP area. The parties at the club are so legendary they have inspired lyrics from Drake, Kanye West and Rick Ross. High rollers spend up to $20,000 just for a table.
Today, LIV sits quiet and empty — a casualty not just of the coronavirus outbreak but of a power struggle between state and local government over how to contain the scourge.
On a recent Friday, the sleek black floors and curved silver snakeskin couches were a sad sight in the harsh light of day. A bottle of hand sanitizer rested on top of the DJ booth, where back in February a man shelled out $120,000 just to sit there during a performance by Cardi B.
The puppeteer behind the parties and arguably the king of South Beach’s nightlife scene, LIV owner David Grutman, stopped by a few months ago to look at new upholstery, but he mostly stays away from the club at the center of his hospitality empire.
“I cried real tears,” the 46-year-old Grutman said of his last visit to the shuttered club and nightlife’s seemingly bygone era. “It’s really been my lifeblood.”
Technically, LIV and Miami’s other nightclubs could reopen at 50?pacity under an ordered issued Sept. 25 by Gov. Ron DeSantis. But Miami leaders have imposed a midnight curfew — a real buzzkill for a scene that doesn’t even get started until the a.m. hours — and are restricting loud music so that people don’t have to shout and risk spreading the virus through their spittle.
Also, a local mask ordinance requires patrons to keep their faces covered except while eating and drinking — though the governor has barred municipalities from collecting fines for violations.
“We take a more cautious approach here in Miami-Dade,” Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez said recently. He warned: “We are still not out of the woods.”
While a few small clubs in Miami have reopened, Grutman said that between the curfew and the continued risk of spreading the virus, he has no plans to open LIV or his other nightclub, Story.
“We’re going to open it when we can give the right experience,” he said. “I’m not into giving half-ass experiences.”
Florida has seen more than 15,000 deaths from the pandemic. The Republican governor has been eager to jumpstart the economy, battered by shutdowns and other restrictions that have left hundreds of thousands unemployed in the tourist-dependent state.
Grutman has already been through a revolving door of openings and closings.
In addition to the clubs, he has several restaurants, including one he owns with the singer Pharrell, plus the celeb hangout Komodo. All of them were forced to close back in March by state and local authorities.
In June, the governor gave the go-ahead for restaurants to reopen at limited capacity. With bars still under shutdown orders, people were soon drinking heavily and dancing at Komodo and other late-night restaurants.
“We thought the world was back,” Grutman said. “I was naive enough to think that we’d turned the corner.”
But he voluntarily closed again after six weeks, as cases skyrocketed and South Florida become one of the nation’s COVID-19 hot spots, with as many as 12,000 to 15,000 newly confirmed infections per day. Grutman said he didn’t want to contribute to the spread, and he was also seeing a backlash from others in the industry.
“We were allowed to reopen and bars were not, yet people were drinking like crazy at our place, so it was one of those mixed-signal things. It built up a lot of animosity,” he said.
On a recent Friday night at Komodo, Grutman dined with the Canadian singer The Weekend, while former baseball star Alex Rodriguez sat nearby and supermodel Adriana Lima was at another table. Yet mask-wearing was strictly enforced, hand sanitizers were at every table, and the scene shut down promptly at 11 p.m.
Meanwhile, LIV, where stars like Justin Bieber and Jennifer Lopez have been known to give unpaid, impromptu performances, sits forlorn.
Before the pandemic, more than 10,000 partygoers visited each week, and those who couldn’t get in hung out at the lobby bar of the Fontainebleau Hotel just to be close to the action.
On big weekends, LIV — pronounced like the woman’s name Liv — raked in over $1 million a night, more than half from champagne and the bling that accompanied the bottle presentations, including confetti cannons, nitrogen smoke plumes and scads of scantily dressed servers.
When the Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl in Miami this year, the team spent the evening hoisting their trophy amid a spray of champagne and confetti on the dance floor at LIV. At a fashion show at LIV in 2009, Victoria’s Secret supermodels strutted in their angel wings and barely-there lingerie.
Grutman has fielded countless calls from DJs begging to be the first when the club reopens. Others have asked to host Zoom parties from LIV, but Grutman just isn’t into it.
He is looking into five-minute rapid testing and putting ultraviolet disinfecting lights inside the vents but thinks it’s unlikely big club events will be safe without a vaccine.
“Everybody has their own ideas of what’s going to happen, second wave, no second wave,” he said.
In the meantime, Grutman — the hype man, the energy pumper, the one injecting that party-all-the time vibe — is missing out on the action, which has shifted to house parties.
“I’d rather be the ringmaster of it,” he said.
Connecticut BioTech and TicketNetwork are teaming up to distribute 10 million respirator face masks to live entertainment venues to bring back live events.
New tour dates, cities and venues announced.
Hearing on “Examining the Impact of COVID-19 on the Live Event Entertainment Industry”
As part of a new partnership the donation helps independent venues and promoters across the U.S. as they wait for Congress to act
Hit especially hard by the pandemic, with no clear end in sight, this may be a disturbing trend
A Comprehensive Study on Human Connection Amidst a World of Online Experiences
Kinaxis InConcert to sponsor up to 30 concerts supporting artists in diverse music genres across Canada
Fan Favorite Categories: Quarantine Ditty, Best Cover, No Stage No Problem, Best Outdoor Performance...and more
It's the Grammy-Winner's first new solo single in three years
All proceeds to benefit Musically Fed, Nashville Rescue Mission & Second Harvest Food Bank
Report created with support from the CMA, Nashville Songwriters Association International & More
The One Night Event Will Kick Off on December 31, 2020 from 8 p.m. to Midnight at Hilton Daytona Beach New Year's Eve Beach Bash Outdoor Vertical Concert Serie
find out how one band is paying homage to the venues they love and we all miss
As the Leading Music Industry Charity, MusiCares is Giving Gift Cards to Music People in Need to Cover Essential Goods This Holiday Season
Watch her version of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” here
#DanceAway2020 first phase lineup features DJs including Carl Cox, Jamie Jones, TOKiMONSTA, Nastia as they each bring in the New Year live from cities across the globe
Presented by Topeka & Sixthman, April 26-May 1, 2021 in Miramar Beach Fl.
It will provide grants to Chicago venues, their staff and to local artists as each struggle to survive the moratorium on live events.
Includes remix of lead single "Black Woman", produced by Supa Dups & feat. Reggae Icon Tarrus Riley
Punk rock was born and bred into Gainesville natives Mike & The Nerve, who have just released their new single "Captive Audience."
Watch the video for BELLY OF THE BEAST here
this small business owner is helping to turn dreams into a reality, during this difficult time.
Over 30 jazz greats and Broadway legends join together to usher in the holiday season
Chalk it up to another victim of government inaction in supporting the businesses that support it
Earn money from your music in these uncertain times
The growing adoption of digital music services is one of the key factors driving the market.
A New Market Study, titled “Music Market Upcoming Trends, Growth Drivers and Challenges” has been featured on WiseGuyReports.
The First Single From Andrew Lloyd Webber's New Musical 'Cinderella'
BMF tackled the challenges of COVID-19 while simultaneously meeting the needs of the public through exceptional cultural offerings.
With the Purplepass event management software, the venue can host future events with proper social distancing tools in place and safe ticket handling.
Partnership Will Allow NIVA Members Access To Pioneering Livestream Technology To Create Content And Unique Fan Experiences Geared Towards Saving Independent Venues Through NIVA’s Emergency Relief Fund
Today, the hip-hop supervillain MF DOOM launches a timely new collection of physical merch: four variations of collectible masks inspired by MF DOOM's signature look, and a brand new line of t-shirts, hoodies, and sticker packs.
New Holiday Album HARK! Out Oct 30th, Vinyl LP Out Nov 20th
"Ready to Reopen" analyzes COVID-19 insights from 87 US venue managers and their guests
Featuring Sandra St. Victor and Grandmaster Melle Mel
First Battle Rap League to Successfully Navigate Streaming on Multiple Tiers at Cost for Rap & Hip-Hop Fans & Creators
Come Together With Their First Live Show to Benefit The ACM Lifting Lives COVID Relief Fund
Week spotlights independently-owned music venues, the backbone of the live music scene
The week-long opening night celebration features multiple world premieres
A work of wild poetry and wide-eyed abandon, set to a glorious collision of folk and country and groove-heavy rock-and-roll.
Barcelona's multi-hyphenate metal quintet announce a tour that we hope will actually happen
The hourly timed entry restricts the number of vehicles entering the experience, facilitating a smoother flow of traffic.
100% of public donations will go to support the various non-profits and will be raised via text and online fundraising during broadcasts and streams.
The pair claimed seven trophies apiece at the pandemic-delayed show
Since the Symphony launched its free fall outdoor concert series, its musicians have performed for fans and made new friends from the urban core to suburbs on both sides of the state line
Join Kylie On A Journey To Her Infinite Disco, A Performance Spectacular Streamed Across The Globe On November 7
featuring DOJA CAT, Charli XCX, Henry Lau & Video Club
Stone Gossard made some serious promises this campaign season.
Yep, a live show, actually quite a few happening at City Winery Nashville
The Dark and Brooding "EP3" Now Available on All Major Platforms
Salvadoran recording artist Joseph Fermán releases his new single, "La Vida", a testimony to living life to its fullest.
His newest release is filled with beautiful melodies, while also embracing fear and uncertainty.
Quirky 80s new-wave inspired tune tells the story we all know too well
Sheffield UK Festival looking forward to 2021, We're hoping it sticks
It's time to bring back more like this....
This one-of-a-kind experience is set for Friday, October 30th with the pre-show starting at 6:00 PM Eastern
Congress needs to step in to help #SaveOurStages Now.
Truly a song for the days we find ourselves in
Fans can expect even more new music from both Mize and Dunn early 2021.
A memory-soaked highlight; a strong bass line rings and accompanies Raj’s masterful wordplay as he marvels at how his life has changed.
Disco Donnie announces their new drive in experience
With the recovery of the China economy in full swing after the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for music festivals and concerts is strong and likely to continue
to Launch a Fundraising Campaign for Struggling Brazilian Immigrants in the Arts, Events & Entertainment Industries
Featuring Randall Bramblett of Traffic and Steve Winwood and Charlie Hoskyns of The Popes
As Theatres and Performing Arts Centers Suffer thru a Nationwide COVID Dry Spell, One Innovative Entertainment Company Brings Live Streaming Concerts to the Rescue.
The concert featuring Offset includes performances from Offset's artists, Duke Deuce, YRN Mango and surprise guests
Styx front man Tommy Shaw, renowned concert promoter Danny Zelisko and the late singer-songwriter John Prine inducted Tuesday during live-streamed ceremony in Nashville
Malone’s competition for the show’s biggest prize, top artist, include Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Khalid and Jonas Brothers
Pinecrest Gardens Brings Jazz Masters to Music Lovers' Homes with Virtual Concert Series to Help Feed Families Affected by the Pandemic
Sharon gives the lowdown on the dark lord's final jaunt. At least the Euro dates
Covid-19 strikes yet another blow against the arts
Chalk this up to "only in New York" and the reason we all love that city.
Some long needed assistance is on the horizon.
Executives from Live Nation, AEG, OVG, IAVM and more form US Coalition to help save the music industry on the day after President Trump stopped negotiations that would have provided a lifeline.
Attendance will be restricted to 25% of a venue’s capacity or 250 people, whichever is less.
During Covid-19 the live experience platform expands artist livestream offerings to venues - including New Orleans' iconic Preservation Hall - to bring artists back to the stage
Stats
Elapsed time: 1.3732 seconds
Memory useage: 2.88MB
V2.geronimo