Strip Clubs Denied Federal Assistance During COVID-19 Shutdown
In Wisconsin, the operators of four “Silk Exotic Gentleman’s Clubs” sued the Small Business Administration for being turned down for a loan by the Paycheck Protection Progam. That’s because the SBA regulations prohibit loans to businesses that “present live performances of a prurient sexual nature.” U.S. District Court Judge Lynn Adelman made a decision this month that said the SBA acted discriminately against the strip club operator for “unfavorable treatment based solely on the content of their speech.”
That decision paved the way for strip club operators, forced shut down by Governor Phil Murphy during the COVID-19 pandemic to apply for the loans.
Lap Dances and the New Normal
As America comes back online, one of the industries being left behind are the strip club operators nationwide, but the federal government has given those business owners the same social distancing guidelines as every other business in America. Social distancing and the six-foot rule will apply.
In Las Vegas, one strip club has reopened and is now offering drive-through strip shows. Little Darlings has begun offering 10-minute drive-up shows where women will dance totally nude while patrons sit in the comfort of their own car.
“Guests can drive up to the front door and we’re going to have dancers separate by the 6-foot separation rule and they can enjoy a totally nude show right from the seat of their car,” said owner Ryan Carlson.
Since the opening of the drive-through in Las Vegas, club operators around the country are now reopening with drive-through service.
Drive Through Food to Go-Go
One Strip Club in Portland, Oregon has set the gold standard for the new normal by offering drive-through service in a large tent where guests and pay for and watch shows while they wait for their restaurant order at the establishment. Lucky Devil Eats in Portland, Oregon has strippers deliver their meals to waiting customers for an additional $30 between 7 p.m. and 1 a.m.
That eventually grew into their new full-service offering, food to go-go. This week, taking it one step further, they launched STRIPPARaoke, a drive-through karaoke performance sung by a stripper, with or without your food.
Strip Clubs in NJ
Governor Murphy’s roadmap to reopening so far doesn’t include strip clubs and so far, no New Jersey venues have attempted a drive-through service and it’s unlikely that the industry will reopen any time soon. It also begs the question, with COVID-19 lurking in every corner, who the hell is going to want to go to a strip club anyway?
One Miami operator has that figured out.
“Guys have been rolling dice with hookers ever since the beginning of time,” said Sean Bishop, owner of the Gold Club Pompano Beach in Florida. “We’re idiots when it comes to sex.”