3 fired from popular South Beach nightclub after venue plays antisemitic song

The fallout continues at a popular South Beach nightclub after a group of influencers appeared to celebrate Adolf Hitler over the weekend when an antisemitic song that's been banned in several countries was played.

The incident has now drawn scrutiny not just from the public, but from at least one Miami Beach commissioner who says the club's explanation isn't enough.

Vendôme nightclub, located on Washington Avenue, has been receiving fierce backlash after the incident occurred on Saturday night.

The club is now at the center of a widening antisemitism controversy, prompting calls for greater transparency.

Video sparks widespread outrage

A video circulating online, which CBS News Miami chose not to air, showed people partying as a song containing the repeated lyric "Heil Hitler" played inside the venue. The track, recorded by Kanye West, has been banned in Germany and removed or restricted by major U.S. platforms because of its extremist and antisemitic messaging.

The video also showed far-right influencers inside the club as the song played  – a detail that fueled widespread condemnation from local and county leaders. 

On Monday, the mayors of Miami Beach and Miami-Dade County  – both Jewish  – publicly demanded accountability and called the incident hateful and unacceptable.

Vendôme fires 3 employees

Miami Beach and Miami-Dade leaders were quick to demand accountability after the incident went viral, and Vendôme announced it took action as a result.

"Vendôme has completed its internal review of the unfortunate circumstances and events that occurred in our premises and has taken decisive action," the nightclub said in a statement posted to Instagram. "This isolated incident involved three people which have been terminated from their employment and are no longer affiliated with Vendôme."

The statement went on to say that Vendôme has a zero-tolerance policy towards antisemitism or other forms of discrimination.

"We have also permanently banned the individuals involved in this incident from the Vendôme premises," the statement continued. "They are no longer welcome at our establishment under any circumstances."

The club reiterated the same language in a second statement posted after its internal review concluded, but Miami Beach Commissioner Joseph Magazine says that response falls short.

"You can't just release a statement saying we've conducted our internal investigation  – case closed," Magazine said. "No, the case is not closed."

Commissioner presses for transparency

Magazine says the public deserves to know who was fired and why those individuals were held responsible. He also questioned whether the nightclub's ownership group played any role, saying, "If this nightclub wants to say the ownership group was not involved, then let us know that was part of the investigation."

The nightclub's statement also said Vendôme has a zero-tolerance policy toward antisemitism or other forms of discrimination.

"We have also permanently banned the individuals involved in this incident from the Vendôme premises," the statement continued. "They are no longer welcome at our establishment under any circumstances."

Influencers push back online

Some of the influencers seen inside the club pushed back online. One man criticized Vendôme's initial apology, writing, "Why are you saying sorry? You literally played music that we requested."

Another controversial figure present that night was Andrew Tate. His attorney, Joseph McBride, told CBS News Miami that Tate and his brother did not request the song and were not responsible for it being played. 

"My clients didn't sing to it, they didn't dance to it, they didn't give a Roman salute  – because they are not antisemites," McBride said. He added that the brothers have not been formally notified (that) they are banned from the club, saying, "That wouldn't make any sense. You don't ban person A for the actions of persons X, Y, and Z."

City preparing broader response

Magazine says the city is now preparing a broader response. 

"We're going to work with the City of Miami Beach to release a statement making clear that the individuals involved are not welcome at any of our venues," he said. 

That announcement is expected in the coming days.