NAPLES, Italy — A popular off-base nightclub is off-limits to military personnel because of robberies and assaults, Navy officials said last week.
Capt. Dave Frederick, commander of Naval Support Activity Naples, issued the order concerning the Havana Club, a multilevel disco in Pozzuoli.
If the conditions improve, the restriction could be lifted, said Lt. Cmdr. Lisa Braun, base spokeswoman.
Until then, if a servicemember is caught in the club’s vicinity, his or her commanding officer will determine the punishment.
Seaman Apprentice Edward Townsend, 22, said he saw fights between servicemembers and Italians four out of his five visits to the club.
“I didn’t like the atmosphere; it was a kind of ghetto place to go,” said the master-at-arms from Chicago.
On Petty Officer 3rd Class Brion Root’s first and only visit, there was a fight, he said.
“I didn’t like it; it was too crowded,” said the electronics technician, 24, from Tampa, Fla.
While no other Naples establishment is off-limits, personnel in Rota, Spain, were ordered to stay away from a waterfront nightclub in March.
Capt. John Orem, Naval Station Rota U.S. commander, made La Meca off-limits to U.S. servicemembers and Defense Department employees because of “dangerous conditions” at the bar. A memo to base personnel noted that the club had been the site of repeated violence, drug use and underage drinking. Sailors couldn’t enter the club or get within 50 feet of the bar.
La Meca has since changed its name to the Black Cats club, and the base lifted the restriction last week.
Scott Schonauer in Rota contributed to this report.
