Former billiards hall officially becomes a nightclub

DOWNEY – The former billiards hall on Firestone Avenue is officially becoming a nightclub.

The Planning Commission on Wednesday approved a request by owner Hayk Gevorkyan to lease 68 parking spaces from a nearby property, in essence allowing Gevorkyan to secure enough parking spots convert the pool hall into a dance hall.

The vote passed 4-0. Commissioner Ernie Garcia was absent.

“Just to be clear, we all recognize that rather than this being a billiards parlor that has dancing there, this is going to be a club that has billiards in the back,” City Planner William Davis said.

Gevorkyan wants to get rid of all but four pool tables at Club DB Lounge and create a lounge area and expanded dance floor. The establishment was formerly called Downey Billiards.

While there was a shooting outside the club in March, police told city planners that the DB Lounge is generally a safe place. Gevorkyan also drew attention from the city earlier this year when he allowed go-go dancers without a permit. Following the report of the go-go dancers, Gevorkyan in March was granted an entertainment permit by the city. But go-go dancers were forbidden.

Gevorkyan said he already has 12 security guards on duty during busy nights, and he stated he is willing to add more security if necessary. His establishment is much busier as a club than it is as a billiards hall, he said.

Commissioner Robert Kiefer expressed the most reticence regarding the proposal, saying he didn’t want a lot of nightclubs in the city but that on the other hand he didn’t think the city should “roll up the sidewalks” at 8 p.m. either.

No one spoke against the project.