Ziegfeld's-Secrets "closed for good" at current site

[Bayareabomber38]

Maybe they want to re-open in Los Angeles.

 

https://www.washingtonblade.com/2020/05/01/ziegfelds-secrets-closed-for-good/

[Boy4]

who’s next...? I think the weekly parties with go go strippers have a better chance of survivin.

[Dginnz]

I've been there a few times. I'm very sad to see it go, as it was the only male-focused strip club in the DC area that I knew of. The drag shows downstairs were also fun, though that area was a bit too large for one drag queen to really own the space imo.

 

The last time I went was around 2018, but I remember there always seeming to be a lot more rules there than some other venues in other cities I've been. Maybe it was DC's strict rules, but it was almost like going to a museum at times than a dancer club: No touching, cagey about full nudity, no lap dance room, etc.

 

There'll always be a supply and demand for this sort of stuff, so I wonder where/how that will change with Z closing. There may be weekly parties, but I/most people wouldn't know about them, how to get invited, who to talk to, etc. I keep hearing about parties, for example, but I don't do this stuff with people, so I don't know how to get on any lists, despite wanting the same things...

 

Things seem to be moving more underground, more about escorts, more private, and less about strippers and the large established places where people can go. But I guess that's a larger topic

[Dginnz]

I've been there a few times. I'm very sad to see it go, as it was the only male-focused strip club in the DC area that I knew of. The drag shows downstairs were also fun, though that area was a bit too large for one drag queen to really own the space imo.

 

The last time I went was around 2018, but I remember there always seeming to be a lot more rules there than some other venues in other cities I've been. Maybe it was DC's strict rules, but it was almost like going to a museum at times than a dancer club: No touching, cagey about full nudity, no lap dance room, etc.

 

There'll always be a supply and demand for this sort of stuff, so I wonder where/how that will change with Z closing. There may be weekly parties, but I/most people wouldn't know about them, how to get invited, who to talk to, etc. I keep hearing about parties, for example, but I don't do this stuff with people, so I don't know how to get on any lists, despite wanting the same things...

 

Things seem to be moving more underground, more about escorts, more private, and less about strippers and the large established places where people can go. But I guess that's a larger topic

[Boy4]

Just read DC Eagle is closing.

[+ Letmeworshipit]

Maybe they want to re-open in Los Angeles.

 

https://www.washingtonblade.com/2020/05/01/ziegfelds-secrets-closed-for-good/

I remember going there years ago. Wasn’t there a GH club next door at one time?

[+ tassojunior]

Maybe they want to re-open in Los Angeles.

 

 

 

https://www.washingtonblade.com/2020/05/01/ziegfelds-secrets-closed-for-good/

 

lol. Allen the owner is 86. Nope.

 

Just read DC Eagle is closing.

 

That is a surprise shock. They moved there because, unlike all their previous locations, that Benning Road area was redevelopment-proof. Of course that's what Secrets thought too when they moved to Buzzards' Point 13 years ago. The Eagle has moved many times in it's 49 years.

 

 

Sad day for gaydom. The two largest, longest-open, no-holes-barred gay venues in America permanently closed in 3 days. RIP

 

(and Secrets was the last of a one-time 8 gay nude strip clubs in DC).

Edited May 5, 2020 by tassojunior

[Eggman]

Just read DC Eagle is closing.

 

Holy shit! That was a real fun place. Is it a victim of the coronavirus economic downturn or just one more victim of the rampant redevelopment going on in DC?

[+ tassojunior]

Holy shit! That was a real fun place. Is it a victim of the coronavirus economic downturn or just one more victim of the rampant redevelopment going on in DC?

 

Secrets will be another "luxury" 12-story apartment building. I doubt the Eagle's newish Benning Road location in Anacostia will be that. Why it's a shock.

[+ tassojunior]

I fondly remember sneaking in to the original Eagle on 7th St NW when I was still 17 and getting too wild for the outstandingly handsome but polite and demure young lobbyist and staffer table scene at Mr. Henry's Georgetown. Wow those Eagle MEN having sex not just in the backroom but all over the intensely crowded bar. I hated going home for holidays and missing nights at the Eagle.

 

And Secrets may have had a no-sexual-touching policy while nude dancers were on the pods but there were 10 well-used bathrooms and many backrooms available for boys with enterprise. Those guys are unsuited for any other employment.

Edited May 6, 2020 by tassojunior

[Boy4]

Secrets will be another "luxury" 12-story apartment building. I doubt the Eagle's newish Benning Road location in Anacostia will be that. Why it's a shock.

Who the fuck is buying this real estate?

Edited May 6, 2020 by Boy4

[+ José Soplanucas]

I am in the Benning Rd area. One of the things I heard is that a city contractor is negotiating to reconvert the building in a half way house.

[+ Letmeworshipit]

So many changes. Thankfully, many of us have fond memories of both establishments. We just need new venues opening so we can make some new memories!

[alrajee]

I saw it more as an entertainment venue rather than a strip club, so I didn't really consider it a must-go every time I'm in D.C. (by comparison, every trip to Montreal necessitates several visits to Stock Bar or Campus).

 

Nonetheless, I'm gutted to see this close. I imagine the writing's on the wall for a while now, but it was the Coronavirus that drove all nails in the coffin.

[+ tassojunior]

I'm a little disappointed that neither place saw fit to at least do PPP to pay employees a little longer. I hope some of them are able to get the expanded unemployment.

[fedssocr1]

Who the fuck is buying this real estate?

 

There seem to be a never-ending supply a "luxury" apartments and condos in the city. I imagine for a sports fan it would be great to be across the street from Audi Field and a block from the baseball park. Metro stop is a short walk away. But with spectator sports on hold for the foreseeable future the new developments will probably be slowed down a bit. The plans for the whole "Buzzard Point" area is for apartments and condos and development of the whole waterfront around to the Wharf area.

[+ sam.fitzpatrick]

I'm a little disappointed that neither place saw fit to at least do PPP to pay employees a little longer. I hope some of them are able to get the expanded unemployment.

 

With the inability to guarantee continuing operations, the businesses would not qualify for the debt forgiveness provisions under PPP.

 

The attestation that the business owners must execute has many small businesses choosing not to take the PPP as they realize that they must return to previous employment levels to receive full debt forgiveness, and with the uncertainty of returning business, owners are not confident they can maintain pre-Covid employment levels.

[Monarchy79]

Secrets will be another "luxury" 12-story apartment building. I doubt the Eagle's newish Benning Road location in Anacostia will be that. Why it's a shock.

 

The Benning Road area isn’t Anacostia. The location of the Eagle is slated to be a public-service related building (specifically, a half-way house)

[Monarchy79]

Who the fuck is buying this real estate?

That’s an awesome question.

 

From what I have witnessed, there are more

rentals being developed in these areas, instead of real estate to actually purchase. In some cases, I’ve seen projects that started off as condos, then changed to luxury rentals as not enough people were buying.

 

Also, none of the buildings are ever at full-capacity.

 

I have an issue with over-development

[Monarchy79]

Holy shit! That was a real fun place. Is it a victim of the coronavirus economic downturn or just one more victim of the rampant redevelopment going on in DC?

 

rampant re-development.

 

What makes matters worse is that when clubs like this vacate, the area then loses its existing zoning status. As the city builds new things and night life disappears, this results in less availability for a replacement, as there isn’t another location properly zoned for that type of venue, specifically strip clubs.

the issue if liquor licensing makes the issue even more complicated.

[Monarchy79]

I am in the Benning Rd area. One of the things I heard is that a city contractor is negotiating to reconvert the building in a half way house.

 

I sincerely hope that your ANC and council members fight against it. The nucleus of the development/gentrification bubble is spreading and could steadily head past H Street, through Benning Road over the next few years. Having a halfway house there could negatively impact that progress.

[+ tassojunior]

because today everyone wants to live in a building where they share everything, including elevators, with hundreds of other people.

[RadioRob]

I'm a little disappointed that neither place saw fit to at least do PPP to pay employees a little longer. I hope some of them are able to get the expanded unemployment.

What employees?

 

9 out of 10 folks there were independent contractors and it was cash. So no traditional payroll.

 

In terms of unemployment, this has been the hardest. DC's system was unable to accept applications from those who were gig workers for the longest time. I know a few folks there who are STILL waiting to hear back on their application. So this entire time... no sort of assistance.