Neighbors Sound the Alarm Over 2 A.M. Music Permit Request
by Friends of Newport Beach Staff
Newport Beach has always been a place for families, relaxation, and coastal charm, but that identity is being tested. Recent holiday weekends, including Spring Break and the Fourth of July, have seen a sharp rise in violent incidents, including fights and even a shooting near the Pier. These events haven’t been caused by locals, but by large groups of out-of-town visitors who come to party, not to respect our community.
And now, things could get worse.
A new planning case submitted to the City of Newport Beach on May 28, 2025 (Case No. PA2025-0108), proposes a major change at 3110 Newport Blvd, home of the Palmilla Cocina y Tequila restaurant. The applicant is requesting to amend their conditional use permit to allow live entertainment not just until 10 p.m., but until 2:00 a.m. every single night. That’s right: live music from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 a.m., 16 hours a day, 7 days a week.
This restaurant already operates in a high-traffic area with limited parking and dense foot traffic. Now, they want to bring in live music around the clock. And it’s not just a casual acoustic guitar set; they’re asking for amplified entertainment in the interior of the building with 27 on-site parking spaces and no additional noise mitigation plans in place.
More Music, More Mayhem?
Residents who live nearby are rightfully concerned. They’re asking: what does this mean for public safety? What about the already worsening traffic? How will anyone sleep with 2:00 a.m. noise pouring out from a 14,556 square-foot venue in the heart of the Peninsula?
We already know what happens when late-night crowds gather, especially when alcohol and loud music are involved. Fights. Vandalism. Emergency response delays. Even shootings. These aren’t hypotheticals; they’ve already happened. Just last month, multiple people were arrested following a fight on the boardwalk. Before that, a man was shot near the Pier. The trend is alarming, and adding live music into the mix until the early morning hours is only going to escalate the risk.
A Line in the Sand
This proposal isn’t just about a restaurant, it’s about a larger pattern. Newport Beach is becoming a destination for reckless party crowds. Extending live music into the early morning will send a loud message that Newport is open for all-night partying, not community-focused coastal living.
The Planning Commission needs to understand what’s at stake. The quiet charm that makes this city so livable is under threat. Approving this permit sets a dangerous precedent that will invite more venues to follow suit, bringing even more noise, more traffic, and more risk.
What Can Residents Do?
We need to make our voices heard—loudly and clearly—before the Planning Commission reviews this request. Here’s how:
Send a Letter to City Officials: One of the most impactful actions you can take is to email or mail a formal letter to the Planning Commission and City staff. Share your concerns about noise, traffic, public safety, and how this proposal would affect your quality of life. You can send a letter by clicking the blue button below!
Contact the City Planner: Reach out directly to Melinda Whelan, the assigned planner for this case, at mwhelan@newportbeachca.gov. Urge her to recommend denial of the permit and forward your concerns to decision-makers.
Attend Planning Meetings: Your voice matters. Attend the public hearing, submit comments, and encourage your neighbors to do the same. Public input can and does make a difference.
Spread the Word: Talk to your neighbors, post on community forums, and share this issue on social media. The more residents who speak out, the stronger our message becomes.
This isn’t about stopping progress; it’s about protecting the peace, safety, and character of our neighborhoods. There’s a time and place for live music, but not until 2:00 a.m. in a residential beach community.
Let’s stand together. Say no to the late-night live music permit and keep Newport Beach safe, livable, and community-first.