Cops raid Adonis nude party?

[EZEtoGRU]

I'm continually amazed how hard it is to have a good time with strippers in New York. Just a few clubs that operate 1-2 nights a week. Several nights with nothing going on.....which seems odd for a city the size of NYC. Mind you, London is no better. Doesn't have and I guess never had a decent stripper scene. Both cities do have a great variety of escorts however.

[Jondar]

Frankly, the drinks are nothing for me and I didn't see too many folks getting hammered. Soda is fine by me and you can up the price to cover the charges for the location.

[Diverdan]

In the past, I have been to private parties where it was BYOB and you paid for the glass, ice and any mix. Everyone had their own bottle, small or large, and it was marked with a code number, so you didn't have to have your name on it either. Soft drinks were for sale and sales tax was collected. It was also clothing optional... VERY OPTIONAL... and there were "lockers" for your clothes and valuables. I am not aware of any of those kinds of parties any more. The biggest concern then was the drugs, but the host was very strict about that. You would be asked to leave if you brought any drugs with you to the "party", but what you might have taken or smoked before arrival was not questioned. I am sure that Tim will come up with some way to resurrect his private party events. Sorry that this happened, but someone was well aware of the situation and gave the police a tip or two, maybe someone who was jealous of what was going on and that they were unable to compete. Best of luck to you Tim as you sort through the mess that was caused.

[Adonis Lounge]

I haven't eaten a plain cheese sandwich with a cardboard child-sized milk since 3rd grade. Back then it was pretty cool, but as with many things in life, with the passage of time, it lost it's luster...especially when you add a holding cell and 20 grown men in handcuffs!

 

In the interest of moving on and clarifying the many wild stories which have emerged holding zero truth, including but not limited to me being castrated, (I have indeed lost my balls, but it happened a few years ago at the hands of an ex-gf who still owns them currently) here is what happened Friday evening at Adonis' nude event...

 

At approximately 12:18am, the NYPD did show up, in uniform not undercover, and ordered the event be stopped immediately. What had previously been a very fun and enjoyable event, quickly went limp in more ways than one. I was indeed arrested and charged Saturday morning with the illegal sale of alcohol without a license, nothing else. For the conspiracy theorists out there, and there are many, this is all public record so feel free to inquire! No customers or dancers were stopped, bothered, or even spoken to. All things considered, the NYPD was just doing their job and acted professionally. I can't say otherwise, as they could have truly made a scene and bothered people if they had so chosen. They did not and for that I'm quite grateful.

 

Unfortunately this marks the end of this event. I have no intention of playing cops and robbers, moving locations, or potentially jeopardizing dancers, customers, or my many staff who were absolutely incredible during this trying situation. I can't say enough about how Sebastian, JP, Luis, and Milano (my adoptive son) all stepped up and worked together in handling the situation professionally, notifying some of my family lol, and having bail ready in the event I needed it, among other things. Luckily I was released without needing it. I have much love for all those guys and my many customers and friends who have been overwhelming in their support of both me and Adonis.

 

It's time to look to the future and focus on making Wed's and Sat's even better now. YES, the show will go on as they say and our new location has all the necessary permits, liquor licenses, and cabaret licenses that we lacked at the private nude party, so not not worry...

 

Anyone who feels slighted and that they didn't get there money's worth because of these unforeseen events, shoot me an email and I'll figure out a way to return your admission, no questions asked...

 

 

"It depends on what the meaning of the words 'is' is." –Bill Clinton

[bigvalboy]

Well Tim I have never met you or been to the Adonis in NYC, however in light of what has happened, I have had several conversations with some of the boys who live in NYC about the incident, and everyone speaks very highly of you and how you managed, what surely was a uncomfortable situation for everyone. I was at a pool party in Fort Lauderdale, and I spoke at length to a young man who frequents both your establishments on a regular basis, in fact despite being here on a little R&R, he mentioned how he was going to miss your private party this weekend. It was almost as if he would have rather gone to your private party instead of going on vacation. Everyone I have talked to praises your efforts in putting on these events, and indeed much praise is given for your professional handling of all the venues that you put together.

 

I applaud you for coming to Daddy's and setting the record straight. I must have been a difficult night regardless of the many friends who apparently were by your side to help you through this situation. I plan on coming to NYC in the near future, and you can be sure that the Adonis Lounge will be on my 'must see' list. Glad that this incident appears to be slowly blowing over, and that you have come out of this, as my mother used to say, "no worse for the wear."

 

Best to you and all of the guys at the Adonis who work so hard to bring so much enjoyment to the gay community.

 

Cheers, BVB

[Phlmuscle]

Tim, I don't understand why you can't hold the nude event in the place where you have the liquor license, or is it a zoning problem and that's why you held it in another location? I vaguely remember that is what they did when they cleaned up the Times Square Area, and we lost the Gaiety and the nude shows on 8th Avenue.

[Adonis Lounge]

Nudity + liquor not allowed in NYC. Nudity - liquor, not worth the enormous overhead and work to pull this event off.

[bigvalboy]

Nudity + liquor not allowed in NYC. Nudity - liquor, not worth the enormous overhead and work to pull this event off.

 

Nudity + Liquor is not allowed in Fort Lauderdale either. The Royal Palms had a clothing optional pool, but because there was an attached bar at pool side the city said that nudity would not be allowed. The resort is working on a solution by combining an adjoining property. This unfortunately will take a year or so to pull off.

[Strafe13]

BVB,

Tim's a real class act. When you finally get to NYC, let me know and I'd be delighted to "escort" you to the Adonis Lounge and introduce you to him and some of my fave dancers. Always have a great time.

 

Well Tim I have never met you or been to the Adonis in NYC, however in light of what has happened, I have had several conversations with some of the boys who live in NYC about the incident, and everyone speaks very highly of you and how you managed, what surely was a uncomfortable situation for everyone. I was at a pool party in Fort Lauderdale, and I spoke at length to a young man who frequents both your establishments on a regular basis, in fact despite being here on a little R&R, he mentioned how he was going to miss your private party this weekend. It was almost as if he would have rather gone to your private party instead of going on vacation. Everyone I have talked to praises your efforts in putting on these events, and indeed much praise is given for your professional handling of all the venues that you put together.

 

I applaud you for coming to Daddy's and setting the record straight. I must have been a difficult night regardless of the many friends who apparently were by your side to help you through this situation. I plan on coming to NYC in the near future, and you can be sure that the Adonis Lounge will be on my 'must see' list. Glad that this incident appears to be slowly blowing over, and that you have come out of this, as my mother used to say, "no worse for the wear."

 

Best to you and all of the guys at the Adonis who work so hard to bring so much enjoyment to the gay community.

 

Cheers, BVB

[bigvalboy]

BVB,

Tim's a real class act. When you finally get to NYC, let me know and I'd be delighted to "escort" you to the Adonis Lounge and introduce you to him and some of my fave dancers. Always have a great time.

 

Thanks for the invitation Strafe13....I am going to try and make NYC later this year. I will give you a holler when I make definite plans.

[bmsnyc]

In New York City, unlike, say, Montreal, total nudity is not permitted in clubs that sell alcohol. Or to put it another way, you can't get a liquor license if the dancers bare it all. This is why the old Gaeity Theater did not sell alcohol, instead relying entirely on admission charges. That business model might have worked with a long-term lease signed way back in the depressed 1970's, like the Gaeity had for so many years. But will not cut it in today's much more expensive commercial rental market.

 

This is why the Adonis - and all strip clubs in New York - do not allow total nudity. The must have both a caberet license (for dancers) and a liquor license (to sell booze). They can't get the requisite licenses if the dancers are entirely naked.

 

The whole "private party" routine that Tim had going for the "all nude events" was a thinly disguised (and clearly illegal) attempt to circumvent the law, by claiming the events were "private", and thus not subject to legal restrictions that applied to public establishments. It was only a matter of time until he got caught.

 

It's just my opinion, but I think Tim got greedy here. He was making a very nice piece of change on the $30 per customer cover charge at the all nude events, and the $100 fees charged to dancers who worked there. He probably could have been solidly profitable without a cash bar. Had he only sold non-alcoholic beverages, and allowed customers to bring their own booze if they were so inclined, the so-called "private party" would likely never have been raided.

 

I guess you live and learn. Lol.

[Adonis Lounge]

In New York City, unlike, say, Montreal, total nudity is not permitted in clubs that sell alcohol. Or to put it another way, you can't get a liquor license if the dancers bare it all. This is why the old Gaeity Theater did not sell alcohol, instead relying entirely on admission charges. That business model might have worked with a long-term lease signed way back in the depressed 1970's, like the Gaeity had for so many years. But will not cut it in today's much more expensive commercial rental market.

 

This is why the Adonis - and all strip clubs in New York - do not allow total nudity. The must have both a caberet license (for dancers) and a liquor license (to sell booze). They can't get the requisite licenses if the dancers are entirely naked.

 

The whole "private party" routine that Tim had going for the "all nude events" was a thinly disguised (and clearly illegal) attempt to circumvent the law, by claiming the events were "private", and thus not subject to legal restrictions that applied to public establishments. It was only a matter of time until he got caught.

 

It's just my opinion, but I think Tim got greedy here. He was making a very nice piece of change on the $30 per customer cover charge at the all nude events, and the $100 fees charged to dancers who worked there. He probably could have been solidly profitable without a cash bar. Had he only sold non-alcoholic beverages, and allowed customers to bring their own booze if they were so inclined, the so-called "private party" would likely never have been raided.

 

I guess you live and learn. Lol.

 

Not a very nice accusation to make calling me greedy when you have no clue of my costs to rent a space, fly multiple guys in, put them up in hotels, often times pick them up from the airport, have a paid staff of 10+ on site, build champagne rooms, rent couches at times for one night, etc etc...These are some of the costs associated with this event only...

 

Ultimately everyone is entitled to his opinion...

[bigvalboy]

It's just my opinion, but I think Tim got greedy here. He was making a very nice piece of change on the $30 per customer cover charge at the all nude events, and the $100 fees charged to dancers who worked there. He probably could have been solidly profitable without a cash bar. Had he only sold non-alcoholic beverages, and allowed customers to bring their own booze if they were so inclined, the so-called "private party" would likely never have been raided.

 

I guess you live and learn. Lol.

 

 

Obviously you haven't a clue as to what you are talking about..... lol lol .....But you did give it 'the ol college try'...I'll give you that.

[+ g56whiz]

It's just my opinion, but I think Tim got greedy here. He was making a very nice piece of change on the $30 per customer cover charge at the all nude events, and the $100 fees charged to dancers who worked there. He probably could have been solidly profitable without a cash bar. Had he only sold non-alcoholic beverages, and allowed customers to bring their own booze if they were so inclined, the so-called "private party" would likely never have been raided.

 

Yup! The only thing in your statement that is true is that it is your and only your opinion. It fails to appreciate a management truehood: greedy people seldom have the dedicated staff Tim obviously has. While living in NYC I attended these functions religiously (love using that word in this context LOL) and never had a drink but that's because I'm a teetotaler for medical reasons. But even a BYOB function can be raided and if I remember correctly, one of these early functions was raided and closed down in what i think was a landlord tenant dispute - the owner of the venue was in the process of evicting the guy from whom Tim sublet. I'd have no problem with a BYOB arrangement but I defer to Tim's better judgement. He put together many more of these than I. LOL

[bmsnyc]

Look, guys, I am not trying to put Tim down in any way, and I apologize if my remarks were interpreted that way. I think he has done a great job with Adonis, and I wish him continued success.

 

That said, the Nude Private Party idea was ILLEGAL from the start - it was a thinly disguised attempt to circumvent the liquor laws. We all may not like it, but that is the plain truth. It was only a matter of time until it was shut down.

 

I am obviously not familiar with all the economics of operating this event, but I am (somewhat) familiar with the economics of other clubs. Would it have been possible to operate the event relying ONLY on cover charges, fees paid by the dancers to work there, and the sale of non-alcoholic beverages? I can't say for sure. But I can say for sure that it is not possible to operate an event in flagrant violation of the liquor laws, and assume that the cops will not eventually shut it down.

[steveyboy]

bmsnyc - why don't you leave well enough alone. Your comments DID put Tim down and could not be interpreted any other way. You're now just trying to deflect from your offensive remarks by talking about liquor laws. Your comments on liquor were not offensive, these were:

 

It's just my opinion, but I think Tim got greedy here. He was making a very nice piece of change on the $30 per customer cover charge at the all nude events, and the $100 fees charged to dancers who worked there. He probably could have been solidly profitable without a cash bar. Had he only sold non-alcoholic beverages, and allowed customers to bring their own booze if they were so inclined, the so-called "private party" would likely never have been raided.

 

I guess you live and learn. Lol.

 

How can we misinterpret that?

[bmsnyc]

Again, I sincerely apologize to Tim. I think he is doing a great job with Adonis, and I hope he continues to do so. I admit I could have worded my message better, so it did not have any offensive connotations. I am sorry for that.

 

Perhaps I should have phrased it as a question. If, for example, the "Nude Events" were held with a higher cover charge (say $40), and only allowed the sale of non-alcoholic beverages, would the economics have been impossible? I suspect that most customers (who presumably anticipate paying $20 each for multiple laps dances) would not object to paying a somewhat higher cover charge, if that is the only way the Event can be viable.

 

I realize Tim has no obligation to respond to this, but I would really like to hear his opninion.

 

Sorry again for the poorly worded first post.

[Adonis Lounge]

Again, I sincerely apologize to Tim. I think he is doing a great job with Adonis, and I hope he continues to do so. I admit I could have worded my message better, so it did not have any offensive connotations. I am sorry for that.

 

Perhaps I should have phrased it as a question. If, for example, the "Nude Events" were held with a higher cover charge (say $40), and only allowed the sale of non-alcoholic beverages, would the economics have been impossible? I suspect that most customers (who presumably anticipate paying $20 each for multiple laps dances) would not object to paying a somewhat higher cover charge, if that is the only way the Event can be viable.

 

I realize Tim has no obligation to respond to this, but I would really like to hear his opninion.

 

Sorry again for the poorly worded first post.

 

^^ No, your economics are off by thousands of dollars actually and would put me at a significant loss. That event was a well oiled machine, massive amount of effort and planning and carried an enormous overhead. It's not relevant, but you and many would not believe the actual cost. The fact that it doesn't appear so simply means I'm doing my job, but I can assure you and everyone else that event was run and managed as efficiently as could be.

[tsgarp]

I think we've beaten the topic to death.

 

The bottom line is that we all appreciate what Tim provides for those of us who live in and visit New York City. I am certain if he can find a way to resurrect the all nude party (while also making a profit and not breaking the law) he will!

[instudiocity]

...but I can assure you and everyone else that event was run and managed as efficiently as could be.

Not to be argumentative but your assurances would appear to be insufficient. The State of New York has made a legal argument against you about how you ran and managed the event. Were other things overlooked, too?

 

Forgive me, but when you're drawing a crowd to a business, it is incumbent to have proper event licenses, proper event insurance (what if a patron were injured?), proper worker's compensation insurance (what if one of the employees were injured?) and a multitude of other business details that no patron wants to consider. In insurance parlance, this is called running bare. The only running bare at the Adonis Lounge should be the employees. That NYPD arrested you for operating an event without an alcohol license begs many other questions, in my mind. (i.e. a business license? business insurance? along with the alcohol license.)

 

I know the guys on this board love you and love attending your events but JEEZ, no alcohol license? You certainly knew better! What else have you been overlooking or ignoring?

 

I know I'm being stern, but good grief, man! You not only put your livelihood in jeopardy, but what else?

[bmsnyc]

In defense of Tim, I think everyone (including myself) knew that the "Nude Private Party" was at best skirting the law. After all, why choose to call it a "private party" unless you are trying to avoid legal requirements associated with a public business? Tim knew the risk, and he choose to take it. That's his choice, and I respect it.

 

What I would like to do is broaden this into a discussion of the economics of male strip clubs in New York. I have some knowledge of the clubs in Montreal, where the laws do permit the sale of alcohol accompanied by total nudity. Those clubs have either very small or no cover charges, no "champagne" rooms (and associated revenue for management) and don't charge the dancers much to work there. The clubs earn almost their entire profit from the cash bar.

 

Tim's Nude Private Party, on the other hand, charged a steep cover of $30, charged dancers (I'm told) $100 each to work there, and received revenue from champagne rooms. So it had three significant revenue streams that the Montreal clubs don't have. Now, I would assume that New York rents are significantly higher than Montreal. But other than that, what is the big cost item(s) that make it so difficult to operate in New York, given the fact that Tim's clubs have three additional revenue streams that the Montreal clubs don't have?

[+ g56whiz]

Now, I would assume that New York rents are significantly higher than Montreal. But other than that, . . .

 

ROTFLMFAO! It's Manhattan dude. Not Montreal. And with a commercial bricks and mortar operation especially in Manhattan the foremost consideration is Location, Location, Location. And for the type of operation here the Location issue is a function not only of cost (always staggering but perhaps surmountable) but also of zoning. Giuliani not only cleaned up time square but flushed these "filthy" blights out of residential areas too. So if you want to start one of these, you'll probably have little trouble getting all the permits and licences you'll need if you put it an otherwise deserted industrial park in Midwood. But getting paying customers to venture there (to say nothing of dancers) may be a bit of a challenge. Denise tried for years to relocate or recreate the Gaiety (of blessed memory); she may still be trying.

 

FWIW I sincerely doubt I or any other patron assumed that Tim was fully licensed or insured. By attending i knew I was at a whole host of risks all of which I eagerly assumed as a cost of the pleasure I derived.

 

And for the record, I think champagne room fees were split with the dancer although the house may have taken the larger chunk. I know dancers kept all of their lap dance earnings. Moreover, I've seen Tim let a dancer earn his cover rather than paying up front although that was some time ago and in a smaller venue. It's just one of the reasons he has a dedicated employees.

[steveyboy]

We also can't compare or imagine the effort that went into holding a once a month event vs. a nightly strip club operation where local dancers are easily scheduled and/or just stroll in routinely as a 'job'. Tim has already indicated that he had to locate, contact, make arrangements for airfare, hotels, airport pickups, etc.etc to bring in stars that don't reside in New York. Even non dancer staff has to be organized for a once a month event. It was a monthly 'production' as opposed to simply going to your local strip club, turning the lights on and you're open for business.

[diehard_002]

I think we should move on. We should thank Tim profusely for entertaining us fags with this rocking parties and find alternatives.

 

I could not help notice the thread below in this forum..

http://www.companyofmen.org/showthread.php?92481-Cabaret-Montreal-NY-Wednesday-Sundays

 

For those without wheels, or living in Jersey, this place is a little out of the way... but if one of us chicken has a car and there is a desire

to share gas/tolls we could have a fun night.

 

I am seriously considering checking out this place next Wednesday. Send me a private message if you want to car pool.

[instudiocity]

FWIW I sincerely doubt I or any other patron assumed that Tim was fully licensed or insured. By attending i knew I was at a whole host of risks all of which I eagerly assumed as a cost of the pleasure I derived.

Yes, but ... an uninsured/underinsured venue and it's owner would still be the loser in any claim you say you wouldn't file. Just wait until the ambulance-chasing lawyer shows up in your hospital room - or God Forbid - at your heirs house after your funeral. Running bare almost always guarantees the owner a butt-fucking sans lube, condom and pleasure.