Last Concert Cafe, a dive institution on the north side of downtown, was shut down Friday night during a performance by Green Mountain Grass for rocking too hard. Or, rather, too many.

Owner Dawn Fudge tells CultureMap that Last Concert's official capacity is just 49 people — including employees. The capacity determined by the city is from the original, 60-year-old plans, and doesn't include the spacious back patio and yard, where bands perform.

The favorite haunt of funky Houstonians (including ZZ Top) is disallowed from entertaining more than 49 people at a time until they get their occupancy up to date (which Fudge estimates will take a minimum 30 days after she pays the $500 to $2,000 fine).

"I'll pay anything to anybody to do it," Fudge says, "but it's got to be light-speed."

Fudge is worried about her employees, and says many are looking for alternative means of income since the restaurant, bar and concert venue can't make a living with so few patrons. From what she understands, the rule is one person per nine square feet. This means Last Concert's restaurant alone can hold 75 people by law, and the whole property can comfortably hold 500 partiers.

Fudge's biggest concern is the upcoming events — including a wedding and a 40th birthday party — whose invites have already been sent out. "This birthday party spent $8,000 on a band they're bringing in from Colorado. There are 250 guests, and they've been working on this for a year," Fudge says. "I've got a wedding coming up — events that are going to ruin people's lives if I can't stay open in the meantime."

The fact that none of the booted concert goers asked for their money back Friday night, despite the obvious inconvenience and short show, is testament to how well-loved Last Concert is.

They're open for business, but if you want to see a show, we recommend going early. It just got a lot more exclusive. The 49-person limit is being strictly enforced.