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5 hours ago, Cock Eyed Optimist said:

Hmmmm….that seems strange. Bobby Love’s seems so small. The one in Florida is big. On one side is the bar separated by a wall from the stage room with a stage big enough for 3 or 4 dancers at a time. 

Oh it's definitely not the same venue, just the same owner. They also own the old Circuit. That front lounge at Circuit could be a possibility, or they could lease out a different venue altogether. Bobby Love's isn't going anywhere

Edited by CHIberia
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It looks like they are planning on using the Berlin site for the Chicago club.  However there is opposition from the community.

 

BLOCKCLUBCHICAGO.ORG

More than 1,000 people have signed an online petition protesting the business and hiring practices of Johnson’s Chicago and its owner Matt Colunga.

 

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5 hours ago, chitownguy said:

It looks like they are planning on using the Berlin site for the Chicago club.  However there is opposition from the community.

 

BLOCKCLUBCHICAGO.ORG

More than 1,000 people have signed an online petition protesting the business and hiring practices of Johnson’s Chicago and its owner Matt Colunga.

 

The Community is silly.  Johnson's is one of the best neighbors a business could ask for.  It draws a crowd with lots of money who aren't as obnoxious as night club patrons.  Johnson's staff does an excellent job of manning parking, security, and noise.  From the outside of their business, you can't see any lights o hear any music or noise.

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11 hours ago, chitownguy said:

It looks like they are planning on using the Berlin site for the Chicago club.  However there is opposition from the community.

 

BLOCKCLUBCHICAGO.ORG

More than 1,000 people have signed an online petition protesting the business and hiring practices of Johnson’s Chicago and its owner Matt Colunga.

 

"learning the business refused to hire a male dancer because of his appearance."

I'M SHOCKED!

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I’m sure it will open, we’ll see how it does. It generally looks bland and one note, and Chicago ordinances will keep it so. There won’t be true private dances or nudity.

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2 hours ago, Nakedchi said:

There won’t be true private dances or nudity.

The Ft. Lauderdale & Tampa Johnsons don't have either. Curtains in the lap dance booths remain open to the public & customers are frequently looking in. Most dancers wear briefs on stage, while a few might wear a jock strap or thong.

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On 4/30/2024 at 7:16 AM, chitownguy said:

It looks like they are planning on using the Berlin site for the Chicago club.  However there is opposition from the community.

 

BLOCKCLUBCHICAGO.ORG

More than 1,000 people have signed an online petition protesting the business and hiring practices of Johnson’s Chicago and its owner Matt Colunga.

 

Interesting that the guys organizing the petition are dancers themselves. 

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36 minutes ago, nate_sf said:

Interesting that the guys organizing the petition are dancers themselves. 

The petition is indeed an interesting read.

Matt Colunga, who is a successful gay business owner, doesn't meet the petitioners' expectations of how a gay entrepreneur should be conducting his business practices. Practices which have been proven as a successful model in many business ventures.

The origin of their objections to Matt's application to purchase the bar seems to be his rejection of an application of employment. 

“If all else fails, we want to at least educate the community about the questionable business practices and discrimination that occurs there,” Perez said. “There’s a lot of unanswered questions about their hiring practices and we don’t want to support a business that discriminates against the LGBTQ+ community and women.” 

Lux Filler, who dances professionally in Northalsted, said he messaged Johnson’s Chicago to inquire about dancing at the club after Colunga tried to recruit him in person at another club, Filler said.

Johnson’s later rejected Filler due to his appearance, according to Facebook messages Filler posted online that were widely shared. 

“We only hire the best guys,” Johnson’s said in a message to Filler. “If you wanna work for us, I suggest fighting up some, hit the gym a little harder.”

“I’ve been told ‘no’ in many ways, but I’ve never been body shamed or judged like that or told I didn’t fit the cut,” Filler said in an interview with Block Club. “Clubs usually say ‘no’ in a more professional way, and it’s as simple as that. There’s no need to bring personal opinions into it. I’m not the only dancer who’s gotten a response like this. I’m just vocal about it.”

So Matt didn't hire this guy as a dancer because he was fat. What is the problem? We don't pay good money to see the Rockettes and expect to see a bunch of 250-pound flabby females prancing around the stage. And when we go to male strip clubs, we want to see young, handsome, in-shape guys. This is not rocket science.
Matt told the guy to go to the gym if he wants to work at his club. A very reasonable response. Matt added that he only hires the best. Bozo knows for a fact that Matt often tells his boys at his other clubs that they are looking a little paunchy, or out-of-shape, and need some more gym time. That is NOT body shaming. It is good business practice. 

The second major objection seems to be Matt's admission policy:

“Moreover, their policy requiring women to be escorted by men within their premises perpetuates harmful stereotypes, and promotes for toxic masculinity — this is simply unacceptable in today’s society where we strive for equality,” Perez’s petition said. 

How does requiring women to be accompanied by men "promote toxic masculinity"? And what exactly is toxic masculinity? Trying to keep the gay male clientele happy? Maintaining a "gay" vibe at the club by not allowing the club to be overwhelmed by packs of screaming women? That is toxic? Under whose definition? And how does this "perpetuate harmful stereotypes"? What exactly are the harmful stereotypes? 

These guys simply don't want Matt to succeed because they don't like his politics. Period.
Bozo could expand, but doesn't want to violate the forum rules.

Bozo hopes Matt is able to open his club, and it flourishes. He also hopes that Lux Filler follows Matt's advice; goes to the gym, and reapplies for a dancing job. 

Over the years, Matt has donated tens of thousands of dollars to gay causes. His clubs have hosted numerous LGBT charity events.
Matt has done more for the gay community than these useful idiots will do in their collective lifetimes.

BTC

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On 5/4/2024 at 1:14 PM, BOZO T CLOWN said:

The petition is indeed an interesting read.

Matt Colunga, who is a successful gay business owner, doesn't meet the petitioners' expectations of how a gay entrepreneur should be conducting his business practices. Practices which have been proven as a successful model in many business ventures.

The origin of their objections to Matt's application to purchase the bar seems to be his rejection of an application of employment. 

“If all else fails, we want to at least educate the community about the questionable business practices and discrimination that occurs there,” Perez said. “There’s a lot of unanswered questions about their hiring practices and we don’t want to support a business that discriminates against the LGBTQ+ community and women.” 

Lux Filler, who dances professionally in Northalsted, said he messaged Johnson’s Chicago to inquire about dancing at the club after Colunga tried to recruit him in person at another club, Filler said.

Johnson’s later rejected Filler due to his appearance, according to Facebook messages Filler posted online that were widely shared. 

“We only hire the best guys,” Johnson’s said in a message to Filler. “If you wanna work for us, I suggest fighting up some, hit the gym a little harder.”

“I’ve been told ‘no’ in many ways, but I’ve never been body shamed or judged like that or told I didn’t fit the cut,” Filler said in an interview with Block Club. “Clubs usually say ‘no’ in a more professional way, and it’s as simple as that. There’s no need to bring personal opinions into it. I’m not the only dancer who’s gotten a response like this. I’m just vocal about it.”

So Matt didn't hire this guy as a dancer because he was fat. What is the problem? We don't pay good money to see the Rockettes and expect to see a bunch of 250-pound flabby females prancing around the stage. And when we go to male strip clubs, we want to see young, handsome, in-shape guys. This is not rocket science.
Matt told the guy to go to the gym if he wants to work at his club. A very reasonable response. Matt added that he only hires the best. Bozo knows for a fact that Matt often tells his boys at his other clubs that they are looking a little paunchy, or out-of-shape, and need some more gym time. That is NOT body shaming. It is good business practice. 

The second major objection seems to be Matt's admission policy:

“Moreover, their policy requiring women to be escorted by men within their premises perpetuates harmful stereotypes, and promotes for toxic masculinity — this is simply unacceptable in today’s society where we strive for equality,” Perez’s petition said. 

How does requiring women to be accompanied by men "promote toxic masculinity"? And what exactly is toxic masculinity? Trying to keep the gay male clientele happy? Maintaining a "gay" vibe at the club by not allowing the club to be overwhelmed by packs of screaming women? That is toxic? Under whose definition? And how does this "perpetuate harmful stereotypes"? What exactly are the harmful stereotypes? 

These guys simply don't want Matt to succeed because they don't like his politics. Period.
Bozo could expand, but doesn't want to violate the forum rules.

Bozo hopes Matt is able to open his club, and it flourishes. He also hopes that Lux Filler follows Matt's advice; goes to the gym, and reapplies for a dancing job. 

Over the years, Matt has donated tens of thousands of dollars to gay causes. His clubs have hosted numerous LGBT charity events.
Matt has done more for the gay community than these useful idiots will do in their collective lifetimes.

BTC

when WOKE cult followers dictate who can dance at a strip clubs-- that's the kiss of  death.

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The owner has reversed one of the policies and tried to apologize for the social media comments. What’s more interesting is this from an article last week: “In an interview with the Windy City Times, Colunga said Johnson’s Chicago was expected to open in May. However, Ald. Bennett Lawson (44th) says no permits have been issued and no license applications have been submitted.” Licenses and permits are not a quick process in Chicago.  https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2024/05/02/petition-johnsons-chicago-male-strip-club-berlin-nightclub

 

WINDYCITYTIMES.COM

Johnson’s, the Florida-based strip club planning an expansion into the former Berlin Nightclub space, has reversed its controversial policy requiring all...

 

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7 hours ago, Nakedchi said:

The owner has reversed one of the policies and tried to apologize for the social media comments. What’s more interesting is this from an article last week: “In an interview with the Windy City Times, Colunga said Johnson’s Chicago was expected to open in May. However, Ald. Bennett Lawson (44th) says no permits have been issued and no license applications have been submitted.” Licenses and permits are not a quick process in Chicago.  https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2024/05/02/petition-johnsons-chicago-male-strip-club-berlin-nightclub

 

WINDYCITYTIMES.COM

Johnson’s, the Florida-based strip club planning an expansion into the former Berlin Nightclub space, has reversed its controversial policy requiring all...

 

from the above mentioned WindyCityTimes article:

"Perez said he’s also concerned because Colunga hasn’t apologized personally to Lux Filler, the local dancer who was turned away from working at the bar due to his physique.

Filler had messaged the business on Facebook after seeing a post it was recruiting dancers, but was turned away and told the bar “only hire[s] the best guys.”

“If you wanna work for us, I suggest fighting up some, hit the gym a little harder,” the business replied to Filler on Facebook.

Filler dances at bars across the North Side, including Cell Block, Jackhammer, Charlie’s and Atmosphere. He said he’s never faced issues due to his body type.

“To get that kind of response from Johnson’s was crazy, and not what we’re supposed to be doing as a community,” Filler said. “Every other bar in Northalsted has shown support and positivity while being there for each other.”

Daniel Perez and the woke Chicago activists think that Matt should apologize to Lux Filler, aka Nathan Summers, for not hiring him?
Lux Filler is out-of-shape and unappealing. Period. There is absolutely nothing attractive about him. In fact, he would have to pay Bozo to watch him strip. He is not only undesirable physically, but based on his comments, he is brash, pretentious, and pompous, with a highly inflated ego and sense of self-importance. Matt would be out of his mind to hire him to strip at his Chicago club. Filler doesn't even look as good as most of the Johnson's customers. Matt was even kind enough to go out of his way to suggest to him that he should hit the gym. Filler should have been thankful and expressed gratitude. That would have been the normal reaction. Instead, Filler acted like a 6-year old child by throwing a temper tantrum. He was quoted as saying that Matt is "crazy" for not hiring him! And now the idiotic Chicago activists are demanding that Matt issue a public apology to Filler. Talk about Chutzpah!

Here is the link to Lux Filler's Instagram. 

WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM

7,349 Followers, 1,561 Following, 28 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Nathan Summers (@lux.filler)

Would you hire this?

BTC

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Posted (edited)
8 hours ago, Nakedchi said:

The owner has reversed one of the policies and tried to apologize for the social media comments. What’s more interesting is this from an article last week: “In an interview with the Windy City Times, Colunga said Johnson’s Chicago was expected to open in May. However, Ald. Bennett Lawson (44th) says no permits have been issued and no license applications have been submitted.” Licenses and permits are not a quick process in Chicago.  https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2024/05/02/petition-johnsons-chicago-male-strip-club-berlin-nightclub

 

WINDYCITYTIMES.COM

Johnson’s, the Florida-based strip club planning an expansion into the former Berlin Nightclub space, has reversed its controversial policy requiring all...

 

I can't wait for Johnson's Chicago to open!  Their Florida locations are currently the best strip club for homosexual men in the U.S. in my opinion.  And their policy of restricting female patrons preserves a safe space for homosexual men to be themselves, without the attention and behavior of women which they can get in the other 99% of bars in this country.  Once Johnson's opens, it will be a success and a tax and business generator for the neighborhood.

Edited by Vegas_Millennial
Reflected that Johnson's currently operates other well-run locations
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16 hours ago, Nakedchi said:

The owner has reversed one of the policies and tried to apologize for the social media comments. What’s more interesting is this from an article last week: “In an interview with the Windy City Times, Colunga said Johnson’s Chicago was expected to open in May. However, Ald. Bennett Lawson (44th) says no permits have been issued and no license applications have been submitted.” Licenses and permits are not a quick process in Chicago.  https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2024/05/02/petition-johnsons-chicago-male-strip-club-berlin-nightclub

 

WINDYCITYTIMES.COM

Johnson’s, the Florida-based strip club planning an expansion into the former Berlin Nightclub space, has reversed its controversial policy requiring all...

 

If no license applications have even been submitted by Colunga, the chances of it opening in May are almost non-existent.  That should have the first thing he did.  Anything involving a liquor license in Chicago takes forever.  

Does anyone have more information on this?

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I bet Lucky Horsehoe is enjoying the apparent controversy and delays.  Not that south FL competition will be comparable, but I heard that Boardwalk tried to derail Johnson's success early on by complaining to the local authorities that Johnson's did not have the right to offer parking on the lot next to the club.  I don't know if that rumor was true, but Boardwalk stopped advertising in the LGBT papers and although they are still in businesses, I heard that they are only really busy after midnight and later.  I haven't been in Boardwalk in ages... 

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11 hours ago, BOZO T CLOWN said:

from the above mentioned WindyCityTimes article:

"Perez said he’s also concerned because Colunga hasn’t apologized personally to Lux Filler, the local dancer who was turned away from working at the bar due to his physique.

Filler had messaged the business on Facebook after seeing a post it was recruiting dancers, but was turned away and told the bar “only hire[s] the best guys.”

“If you wanna work for us, I suggest fighting up some, hit the gym a little harder,” the business replied to Filler on Facebook.

Filler dances at bars across the North Side, including Cell Block, Jackhammer, Charlie’s and Atmosphere. He said he’s never faced issues due to his body type.

“To get that kind of response from Johnson’s was crazy, and not what we’re supposed to be doing as a community,” Filler said. “Every other bar in Northalsted has shown support and positivity while being there for each other.”

Daniel Perez and the woke Chicago activists think that Matt should apologize to Lux Filler, aka Nathan Summers, for not hiring him?
Lux Filler is out-of-shape and unappealing. Period. There is absolutely nothing attractive about him. In fact, he would have to pay Bozo to watch him strip. He is not only undesirable physically, but based on his comments, he is brash, pretentious, and pompous, with a highly inflated ego and sense of self-importance. Matt would be out of his mind to hire him to strip at his Chicago club. Filler doesn't even look as good as most of the Johnson's customers. Matt was even kind enough to go out of his way to suggest to him that he should hit the gym. Filler should have been thankful and expressed gratitude. That would have been the normal reaction. Instead, Filler acted like a 6-year old child by throwing a temper tantrum. He was quoted as saying that Matt is "crazy" for not hiring him! And now the idiotic Chicago activists are demanding that Matt issue a public apology to Filler. Talk about Chutzpah!

Here is the link to Lux Filler's Instagram. 

WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM

7,349 Followers, 1,561 Following, 28 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Nathan Summers (@lux.filler)

Would you hire this?

BTC

Sorry, but no.  He's obviously a boy type, and Johnson's FTL did have a few boy types, but they were generally clean cut boys.  It seems like he would be the type for the New Orlean's Corner Pocket.  I looked at the LeBoy FTL webpage and I don't think they would even hire him as their boys are clean cut (I noticed years ago that some of the boy types from Johnsons would tend to migrate to LeBoy.

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On 5/11/2024 at 7:56 AM, Nakedchi said:

Apparently many bars have hired him.

Do the bars "hire" dancers or charge them a fee to dance? Club 20 used to have this one dancer who was totally out of place, late 40s and looked older, not actually good-looking IMO,  it seemed more like he was living out his fantasy onstage than that amyome cared to see him. Never saw him with a customer.

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I think it varies.  I've heard that some bars required dancers to pay a fee, which varies depending on the day and time - for example, Friday and Sat are higher fees and later in the evening the fees increase.  I've heard others bars don't charge a fee or a smaller fee, but get a cut of the private dance charge.  I'm not complete sure, but I presume in the case of Boardwalk FTL, they get the $20 fee that you have to pay just to enter the private lap room every time and Johnsons gets the one-time fee of $10 for the wrist band.  I would guess that Johnsons still charges a fee for the dancers as the one-time $10 wrist band surely would not give that much additional income.  I'm not sure if Boardwalk also charges a fee since they do get the $20 every time you enter.    I also remember seeing the doc on the Swinging Richards and I believe that they said the DJ even gets a cut of the revenue...I would like an older dancer, but I do like daddies...

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Let me just say this.Things have a way of working out without getting yourself into controversial  situations. 

The Gay community has  very diverse tastes. Not everyone likes the muscle guy or twink type. Who likes them Italian,  Spanish, Black, White, it all is up to the individual.  After a while the dancers who don't make any money leave.

Also many of these Bar owners and Promoters run their business as a playground.  They could care less on what the customer  is looking for. They only want you to hire or bring to their establishment  what and who they like. Oh could I tell you guys stories about behind the scenes in NY.

It's a new day and age.Yes we don't like certain things that are going on. But as a business owner you have to learn to adapt. 

The only way your going to get rid of the Women is to make it a  private members only club.  Like I do in Manhattan. 

And remember. Women drink!. Us older guys don't.  A Bar stays in business selling liquor  NOT water bottles  and Ginger Ale.

BD

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On 5/11/2024 at 4:21 AM, BOZO T CLOWN said:

Would you hire this?

No, and I'm glad to hear that Johnsons didn't.  As the Adonis guys once said on a webcam show, they have a brand, and their customers expect a certain "caliber" of dancer at their establishment.

If an applicant has a meltdown after getting turned down, then that's the price of doing business.  It's not Matt's fault that this guy got way too many participation trophies in his childhood.

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Posted (edited)
3 hours ago, Buff Daddy said:

Let me just say this.Things have a way of working out without getting yourself into controversial  situations. 

The Gay community has  very diverse tastes. Not everyone likes the muscle guy or twink type. Who likes them Italian,  Spanish, Black, White, it all is up to the individual.  After a while the dancers who don't make any money leave.

Also many of these Bar owners and Promoters run their business as a playground.  They could care less on what the customer  is looking for. They only want you to hire or bring to their establishment  what and who they like. Oh could I tell you guys stories about behind the scenes in NY.

It's a new day and age.Yes we don't like certain things that are going on. But as a business owner you have to learn to adapt. 

The only way your going to get rid of the Women is to make it a  private members only club.  Like I do in Manhattan. 

And remember. Women drink!. Us older guys don't.  A Bar stays in business selling liquor  NOT water bottles  and Ginger Ale.

BD

Plenty of older guys are drinking when I go into Johnsons or any of the other bars on Wilton Drive.  Older guys have money and can be very generous with lap dances.  Concerning women, I am reluctantly okay with Johnson's policy of some limited access if we want it to remain a strip bar for men, although it is a tough one for me to agree as a POC person.   Although since many if not most of the dancers at Johnson's are heterosexual or bi, I am sure that the dancers would not mind.    And you are right about preferences, as one of the Johnson's owner was a bodybuilder, and he seems to prefer the bodybuilder types.   If Johnsons was open door, it could easily become a bar for bachelorette parties, and I am not sure we want that.  When I was in Chicago, Naked Boys Singing started out with mainly gay audience but then became a bachelorette party audience according to some people who told me.  The play lasted for years as there was a big market for this new audience.

Edited by rojjodc
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