[lifesaver]

Revelers booted from clubs

By Jesse Bogan
San Antonio Express-News

Web Posted : 03/05/2003 12:00 AM

One River Walk club was evacuated, another was shut down and at least one other was cited for obstructed exits, as San Antonio fire marshals swept through the area during Mardi Gras festivities Tuesday night.
Fat Tuesday, Dick's Last Resort and Polly Esther's were among the clubs cited.

Around 9 p.m., fire marshals and scores of police helped manage a grand exodus of partiers from Fat Tuesday, 111 W. Crockett.

"It's overloaded, overcrowded," said Jesse Sanchez, a San Antonio fire marshal, as the crowd of revelers surged past, many decorated with colorful beads around their necks.

The club was cited for having locked exit doors, obstructing exits and exceeding its capacity, officials said.

The maximum occupancy of the building is 360, Sanchez said, adding that at least 800 people were inside Tuesday night.

Those who came early paid a $10 cover charge. After the club was emptied, officials allowed it to reopen with a keen eye on safety. The line outside stretched around the building, as first officers, then club staff members, monitored the number of people going out and coming in.

While some grumbled, most continued to let the good times roll.

One happy young man threw shiny beads from the club's balcony outside, tossing some to a police officer below. Grinning, the officer jokingly started to lift the leg of his uniform.

About 10:30 p.m., authorities shut Polly Esther's, just across the San Antonio River from Fat Tuesday's, at 212 College St., for several unspecified reasons.

"It's serious enough that we're going to close them down tonight," Sanchez said, adding the club had to remain closed "until they fix the problems."

The dance club has room for 1,000 people and had about half that many inside, officers said.

Dick's Last Resort was cited for obstructed exits, officials said, but staff cleared the exits and the club was allowed to stay open.

Outside the closed Polly Esther's, Denise Luckey was among those forced out of the club. She took it all in stride.

"If it happens, it happens," said Luckey, 23. "I'm mad that it closed, but I'll just go home and party.

"It was fun while it lasted."