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3 Old Town Scottsdale nightclubs voluntarily close after crackdown

Three popular nightclubs in Old Town Scottsdale – Riot House, El Hefe, and Whiskey Row – announced they will close through the weekend and perhaps longer to prevent overcrowding during the covid-19 pandemic.

All three venues are owned by Scottsdale-based Riot Hospitality Group, which said it has no timeline for reopenings.

The announcement came after Riot House was charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor after multiple warnings for violating the state’s covid-19 health and safety guidelines.

El Hefe was among seven other Scottsdale clubs – along with Bottled Blonde, Pattie’s, Casa Amigos, International, Maya Day Club, and Hi-Fi – that received ‘‘final notices’’ to comply.

Scottsdale nightclubs have been under scrutiny after numerous social media posts showed large crowds with no social distancing.

A Class 1 misdemeanor carries a fine up to $20,000.