Brouhaha over Decatur strip club’s ‘breakfast bar’ makes way to Georgia Supreme Court today

Georgia’s highest court will hear arguments today that could determine whether Pins Up, a Decatur strip club, should be allowed to remain open until 7 a.m. to operate a “breakfast bar.” The Georgia Supreme Court’s public information officer passes along the most delightful case summary from today’s docket:

FACTS: At issue in this case is a judge’s refusal to grant a temporary injunction banning the enforcement of the amendments until the case is resolved in court. Pin Ups is a club in Decatur that offers nude dancing and drinking. In June 2010, the County amended the Alcohol Code requiring all licensed establishments that sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption to clear out patrons and close by 4:55 a.m. Thursday through Saturday, and by 3:55 a.m. Sunday and Monday. The stated purpose was “to improve the quality of life in all of its communities” by minimizing the “deleterious conduct associated with” alcohol. Pin Ups offers a “breakfast bar” to its patrons, serving food until 7:00 a.m. It closes at that time, then reopens at 9:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 12:30 p.m. on Sunday. Pin Ups sued the County, seeking a preliminary injunction until the case was resolved. It argued the amendments forced it to close down for hours a day; impeded its breakfast business; and violated its constitutional rights to due process and First Amendment protections. The trial court denied the request for a temporary injunction, and Pin Ups now appeals to the state Supreme Court.