D.C. nightclub to pay $243K for worker rights settlement

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, July 5, 2026

The Park at 14th, a restaurant and nightclub in Washington, D.C., has agreed to pay over $243,000 to settle claims it denied paid sick leave, misclassified workers, and retaliated against employees raising workplace concerns. The settlement mandates back pay to workers, civil penalties, retroactive sick leave, and ongoing compliance reporting to enforce labor laws.

An upscale restaurant and nightclub in Washington, D.C., has agreed to pay more than $243,000 to settle allegations involving violations of the city’s labor laws, according to D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb. The settlement addresses claims that the establishment denied paid sick leave to employees, misclassified workers to avoid providing overtime and benefits, and retaliated against employees who raised workplace concerns.

The venue, the Park at 14th, located on the city’s busy 14th Street NW corridor in downtown Washington, has been a notable spot within the city's political and social scene, hosting day parties, live music, and other events. The business is operated by Park Place.

Schwalb’s office revealed that their investigation found the Park at 14th had misclassified some employees as independent contractors starting in 2021, a practice that deprived workers of legally mandated benefits and protections. Additionally, more than 200 employees were allegedly denied paid sick leave over a period spanning 2021 to 2024.

The inquiry also uncovered instances where management retaliated against employees who voiced complaints about pay. Several workers were reportedly removed from schedules after raising pay-related concerns, and in one instance, a worker’s hourly wage was temporarily reduced following such inquiries.

Under the terms of the settlement, Park at 14th agreed to pay $127,321 in back pay to the affected employees, with an additional $116,029 paid as civil penalties to the District. The restaurant has also committed to providing retroactive paid sick leave to current employees.

The agreement requires the establishment to inform its employees about their rights under local labor laws through posted notices. Moreover, Park at 14th must submit annual compliance reports to the Office of the Attorney General for the next three years to ensure adherence to labor regulations.

Park Place, the company behind the venue, has denied all allegations of labor law violations but did not provide further comment when contacted following the announcement of the settlement.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.