According to what I read online, if the business is grayed out it is owned by someone else. Who? Is there any way for my Sims to obtain ownership of this? When my other Sims go there right now it is so dull. Some inferno. I thought no one owned it until this couple tried to buy it.
Ah, well apparently it is owned by Malcolm Landgraab. http://sims.wikia.com/wiki/Club_Dante I would suggest playing in his family and sell it, then go back to your own family.
It worked fine! My couple have bought Club Dante. Now all I have to figure out is why they have a kitchen when there seems to be no way to serve food by the employees, and why the bartender stands there doing nothing instead of making drinks. I'm probably overlooking something basic.