Vibez club in Panama City reopens with new rules: age requirement, dress code, no smoking

PANAMA CITY — Popular nightclub Vibez has reopened about three weeks after closing when management said it had been "targeted" and "forced to shut down ... by the city."

In a Facebook post, Vibez officials announced that the club at 4300 U.S. 98 was back open for business, ending its hiatus with its "R&B Thursday nights" event.

"Vibez is officially back open this week," the post reads. "Come by, sing your heart out and enjoy a great night of good Vibez."

Vibez did not respond to a Facebook message from The News Herald about its reopening.

After closing about three weeks ago, Vibez nightclub has reopened.
After closing about three weeks ago, Vibez nightclub has reopened.

Background:  Vibez club closes, says it was 'public enemy No. 1' after 'Panamaniac'. City denies claims

Spring break crime: 161 people arrested in ‘Panamaniac’ spring break weekend: Here’s a breakdown of the charges

The business also listed in the post three new rules for the establishment. They are:

  • Being at least 25 years old to enter.

  • A strict dress code of no sagging pants, swim wear, plain T-shirts, jerseys or slides.

  • No inside smoking.

"If anyone is upset about the new age requirement, that can be solely placed on the one fight we've had since being open in the last two years," a Vibez comment on the post reads. "Possible changes may happen as long as city officials allow it. We are here to let everyone have a good time, but a few people ruined it for some, and for that we apologize for any inconvenience."

The fight referenced in the post — which had 104 comments, 187 reactions and 246 shares as of Friday morning — occurred on March 22, according to the Panama City Police Department. It resulted in multiple arrests.

Vibez also was one of the gathering sites for a group of unruly tourists who flocked to the area in March for an unsanctioned social media event dubbed "Panamaniac," local law enforcement officials have said.

From March 26-27, local law enforcement agencies seized 75 illegal guns and arrested more than 160 people connected to the gathering.

Panamaniac sparked special meetings by the Panama City Beach City Council and Panama City Commission, where ordinances designed to prevent similar events were passed.

Those included Beach officials voting to give City Manager Drew Whitman the authority to swiftly make decisions during civil emergencies without the approval of the council.

They also included a Panama City ruling that prohibited the consumption of alcohol in commercial parking lots.

In a Facebook post on June 1, when Vibez announced it would be closed "until further notice," business officials said the club "has appeared public enemy No. 1" since Panamaniac.

They also alleged the business was "forced to shut down." City Manager Mark McQueen denied the allegation.

"Please reach out to our local city officials regarding the rules put in place," Vibez officials said in a comment on the recent post. "These were the compromises given to us to reopen our business. ... The city prefers Vibez to be an upscale environment for us to be open."

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Vibez nightclub in Panama City reopens after temporary closure