Gentlemen’s clubs receive OK for liquor
Max Oden /
A public notice announcing an application for a liquor license is seen outside the old Featured Players building on Foster Street.
The liquor licenses for two gentlemen’s clubs were approved Tuesday by the Dothan City Commission.
Taboo 2, 145 S. St. Andrews St., and The Tanda Room, 158 S. Foster St., are opening in the entertainment district of the downtown overlay district, located south of East Main Street.
Taboo 2 was approved without discussion at the former Dark Side club, but Janet Everett opposed the opening of the Tanda Room, just down from her restaurant, Blue Moon Cafe, 172 S. Foster St.
“We have invested considerable time and money,” she told commissioners, as have other entrepreneurs who have opened or relocated their businesses to downtown. She said the image they hope to help create is one of a family-oriented place to be.
She believes the location of the club, which is being opened by an Illinois man, could deter people from visiting nearby businesses.
“This is two doors down from my place of business,” she said.
Mayor Pat Thomas said he understood her concerns.
“The decisions put before us are not always easy. I do not think you build a downtown on gentlemens’ clubs. The only thing before us is a lounge/liquor license.
We can’t say what it can be or can’t be.”
Officials also noted that in checking out liquor license applicants, police run local background checks only. Commissioner John Craig said he has since learned that is state law.
The license for Corey Whitehurst, who is opening Taboo 2, was approved 6-0. District 5 Commissioner Taylor Barbaree did not attend the meeting.
The liquor license for The Tanda Room, submitted by attorney Harry Hall for Kurt Wilkinson, passed on a 5-1 vote, with District 3 Commissioner Paul Lee voting no.
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Reader Reactions
1) “gentlemen’s club” is not an oxymoron
2) “Let the market decide whether this is a good idea or not” That is just what the owners of existing businesses are afraid of—many people choose to avoid areas where these types of clubs are. They fear these clubs will drive their customers away.
3) “Any nightclub district should be void of children after dark.“ These nightclubs want to locate in areas where there are established restaurants, galleries, etc. Children do very often go to restaurants with their families. What do you propose we do with them?
Just to clear things up: I don’t give a hoot what goes on inside these clubs and I don’t think they should not be allowed. I just think in a town as small as Dothan which is trying to revitalize its downtown mixing these sorts of entertainment into an area where they want families to feel comfortable is a mistake. There are going to be 4 of them in a small area, keep in mind.
Isn’t the term “Gentlemen’s Club” an oxymoron? Nevertheless, those who evoke moral superiority are misguided. Let the market place decide whether this is or isn’t a good idea. Any nightclub district should be void of children after dark. Just because (ahem) bikini bars offend some peoples sense of sensibilities, doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be allowed. Lighten up!
Reading this and looking at another, slightly more recent story, it appears there will be at least 4 “gentlemens clubs” in downtown Dothan. Two have just been granted liquor licenses and two are in trouble with the law for lewd and obscene acts. There can be laws but people will always find a way to break them, especially if they can get more $$$ to do so.
Just because a business wants to locate somewhere doesn’t mean it should especially if its presence will damage the businesses and neighborhood that are already there. These $500 and $1000 fines are pittance to the owners of these (ahem) bikini bars.
If revitalizing the downtown area is a priority the City of Dothan better find some other ways of turning downtown into a place all people want to go to, not just “gentlemen.“ Don’t bother calling it the Entertainment District if what it really is is the Red Light District.
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