WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - (May 5, 2011) - Tonight the City of West Hollywood Planning Commission refused to approve dancing and entertainment at The Abbey because the City Commissioners had not done their research and were unsure on how allowing dancing at The Abbey would impact parking.

After recently announcing plans to be more pro-business, they disrespected business owner David Cooley and what he has done for the City of West Hollywood for the past 20 years, including supporting charities, raising over $1 million for APLA at his annual Oscar event, employing over 190 people at The Abbey, being one of the largest tax revenue generators for our city, creating a tourist destination known around the globe as "The Best Gay Bar in the World" and his continuous support for the LGBT community.

"I have supported the community and my customers for nearly 20 years," said David Cooley, Founder of The Abbey. "It is disheartening how the City Planning Commission chose to treat The Abbey tonight."

Even with support from the community, Sheriff's Office, Parking Officials, Code Enforcement, Public Safety, The Chamber of Commerce, and City Staff, the Planning Commission would not approve a change in permitting to allow dancing and entertainment at The Abbey. More than just "The Best Gay Bar in the World," The Abbey is a central meeting point for everyone in West Hollywood and the de facto West Hollywood Town Hall.

Show your support for The Abbey by participating in the next hearing on June 16th at the West Hollywood Park Auditorium. You can contact the following City Officials in advance of the hearing to express your support:

Mayor John Duran (jduran@weho.org/ 323.848.6460)
City Manager Paul Arevalo (parevalo@weho.org / 323.848.6460)
Planner Jennifer Alkire (jalkire@weho.org / 323.848.6460)

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ABOUT sbe:
Founded in 2002, Los Angeles-based sbe brings exquisite balance to the worlds of hospitality, real estate development and entertainment. As a privately held company founded and helmed by Chairman and CEO Sam Nazarian, sbe acquires, develops and manages exceptional projects through its divisions – Hotels, Restaurants, Nightlife and Real Estate. With a mission to redefine the standards of excellence in hospitality, sbe has harnessed the creativity and innovation of the best minds in the business, including design visionary Philippe Starck, with whom the company has an exclusive agreement for the creation of hotels, restaurants and lounges in North America. As the cornerstone of its synergistic approach, sbe has also completely rethought and re- imagined the luxury hotel experience. sbe debuted its luxury hotel brand, SLS Hotels, with the Fall 2008 opening of SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills, which has won international acclaim and numerous awards. In March of 2012, sbe will unveil the SLS Hotel at South Beach in Miami. In 2010, sbe launched its second hotel brand, The Redbury, located in the heart of Hollywood. Also in the sbe Hotel collection are Las Vegas' Sahara Hotel & Casino and Four Points by Sheraton LAX. sbe's Restaurant and Nightlife groups constantly stay ahead of the curve, creating and expanding trend-setting concepts, which currently include 5 Katsuya locations (Hollywood, Brentwood, Downtown at LA LIVE, Glendale and Laguna Beach), The Bazaar by José Andrés, XIV by Michael Mina, Cleo, Gladstones, Papaya King, Mercato di Vetro, 4 Hyde Lounge locations (Hollywood, Staples Center, Mammoth Mountain and Bellagio Hotel & Casino December 31, 2011), The Abbey Food & Bar and The Colony. Most recently, sbe established a strategic marketing partnership with MGM Resorts International, which unites MGM's M Life and sbe's Preferred Partner programs. In December 2010, Colony Capital, led by Founder, Chairman and CEO Thomas J. Barrack Jr., partnered with sbe through a minority investment focused on the national and international expansion of sbe's award-winning hospitality platform. More information about sbe can be obtained at www.sbe.com.