Florida restaurant to pay $10,000 settlement after minors at sexual drag show
MIAMI – The restaurant R House agreed to settle after the state of Florida accused the restaurant of allowing minors to attend age-inappropriate entertainment shows of a sexual nature, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office said.
The Miami restaurant faced criticism for a viral video that showed a “nearly nude” dancer parading a young girl through the audience.
The social media account “Libs of TikTok” first brought a lot of attention to the video in July 2022 of the drag queen with exposed breasts and money stuffed in her outfit while holding the hand of a little girl. The complaint said the girl is between three and five years old.
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation had filed an administrative complaint charging R House with multiple violations of Florida law.
The governor’s office said the business agreed to the $10,000 administrative fine to the department.
The restaurant’s owner told the Miami Herald in a statement that the settlement does not contain an admission of guilt.
“Furthermore, we are also pleased to confirm that the State’s extensive undercover investigation of R House found no unlawful sexually explicit content at R House shows,” the statement said.
The business also agreed to not knowingly permit patrons under 18 on premises during adult performances which contain, depict or simulate any activities violating section 847.001(23), and advertise the events as 18-and-older only.
R House would now be required to check the IDs of people appearing age 25 or younger.
At the time the video went viral, DeSantis called the incident “disturbing” and later pushed for legislation to prevent kids from attending sexually explicit shows.
“We said wait a minute, having kids involved in this is wrong. That is not consistent with our law and policy in the state of Florida. And it is a disturbing trend in our society to try to sexualize these young people,” DeSantis said in 2022.
The new law authorizes Florida to fine, suspend, or revoke the license of any public establishment that admits a child to “adult live performances” that depict or simulate nudity, sexual conduct, or lewd exposure.
That law was suspended until a 2024 trial date.
Democrats including Rep. Jennifer Harris, D-Orlando, opposed the law, saying it would have a “chilling” effect on businesses that host drag events.
“This bill is designed to have a chilling effect on businesses that host drag events, it would have the Department of Business and Professional Regulation remove liquor licenses, fines up to $10,000, and even shut down places that host drag events, whether those shows are family friendly or not,” Harris said.
