New Strip Club in Boulder (SFW)

**hev** · 12-14-2007, 02:18 PM

So the Bus Stop finally has some competition in town.

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2007...l-street-mall/

In a back alley along the upscale Pearl Street Mall, a door with a sheet of diamond-patterned polished steel bears a framed picture of a skull and cross-bones, stenciled with the words "Nitro Club."

The door leads down a steep stairway — lined with red and blue neon lights — and into Boulder's newest 18-and-older, fully nude strip club.

Nitro Club, at 1124 Pearl St. in the alley behind Old Chicago and retail shops off Broadway, has been open for at least a week but has gone unnoticed by many holiday shoppers and visitors because of its difficult-to-find location. The club's owner, who declined to give his name to the Camera, said he's received "nothing but positive reviews" since opening the business, which county records show is operated under the name NC L.L.C.

Some members of the Boulder City Council, most of whom had no idea Thursday that the club existed at all, said they were shocked.

"I'm surprised," Councilman Ken Wilson said. "It does not sound like a good idea, or what the city intends for our Pearl Street Mall area."

According to the city's planning and development office, there are no city ordinances or codes specifically governing where or how an adult-entertainment business can operate.

Boulder County ordinances, however, have contained extensive codes regulating "nude entertainment" since 1994 in unincorporated areas. County rules, among other things, prohibit adult entertainment within 1,000 feet of any church, school, day-care center or residence, require customers to be at least 21 and allow nude entertainment only from 4 p.m. to midnight Monday through Saturday.

None of the regulations applies to businesses within city limits, Boulder Mayor Shaun McGrath said.

"The City Council certainly has not had a conversation about where it is, or is not, appropriate to have strip clubs," McGrath said. "I want to talk to the downtown business owners and have a conversation with the community about it."

McGrath said the club's business license application went unnoticed by council members because it did not include an application for a liquor license — a process that would have required a review by the liquor board.

The club's owner said he charges a $10 cover charge and requires customers to purchase at least two non-alcoholic drinks inside. But customers who shell out $495 a year and $45 a month can sit in a private area and drink alcohol they bring themselves.

"We operate like a speakeasy," the owner said, explaining that by operating a "private section" of the club, he complies with state and local liquor laws. The private area is roped off and is known as "The Speakeasy at Nitro Club."

Boulder residents visiting the mall Thursday night had mixed reactions about the club.

"It's ridiculous," said Rob Kalberer, 50. "It's gonna cause some problems. It literally is the last place you would expect to find a strip club."

Jenna Beam, a 20-year-old English major at the University of Colorado and an employee at the Quicksilver clothing store that backs up to the club, said she was "excited" to have a place to visit during early-morning hours after bars close.

"I think it's kind of cool," she said. "I hope people don't freak out too much. It's just a strip club."

Nitro Club is open from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Several club employees declined to be interviewed by the Camera on Thursday. One college-age woman wearing black stiletto heels and a colorful fur shawl said her parents would "kill her" if she appeared in the newspaper.

...TR to follow

**fondigley** · 12-14-2007, 02:23 PM

Got to love it. Can't wait to see all the controversies this brings to town.

Was just reading this:

http://denver.yourhub.com/Boulder/Bl...og~404171.aspx

Shhh ... apparently this all-nude strip club is supposed to be a "hush hush" thing. Well, not now. Let's start some conversation here, people. When I stumbled upon the Daily Camera story on the Nitro Club that's only been open for about a week, I couldn't help but wonder what your thoughts are.

Of course, I've always had mixed feelings about strip clubs - and if it were my choice and I had a few extra bucks in my pocket, I'd open a burlesque bar or a sex shop filled with all things by women and for women (yes, porn is included in such categories) on the Pearl Street Mall.

But, on the overall strip club topic, I can't help but respect everyone who chooses to be involved.

Even though the owner refuses to have his name mentioned in the story, I don't think it's that big of a deal. It's actually quite simple: go or don't go.

If you want to go to a strip club now, you no longer have to drive to the depths of Broadway (OK, the Bustop's not that far, but in the Boulder scheme of things, it's quite the gander). And if you have a problem with it - you can choose not to walk down the alley behind Old Chicago and you can get on with your evening.

In regards to its location and how they've so quietly promoted it, they're clearly not shoving this new business in people's faces. In my eyes, they're simply increasing the variety on the mall (yes, just when you think there's no way the mall could get any more diverse) - and opening the doors of possibility in Boulder's business world.

I can't speak fully on the topic, because I haven't been there yet - but you can count on hearing from me when I go.