Johnsons in Ft Lauderdale

[DR FREUD]

matt colunga just posted that Johnsons will be opening early June in Fort Lauderdale. No address at this time.

[EZEtoGRU]

Interesting.....but this is the third or fourth attempt right? I've kind of lost faith in Matt's ability to pull this together in South Florida after so many false starts. I won't hold my breath. I'll wait till it has operated continuously for 2-3 months before I think about going there. BTW, not the best season to be opening a new strip club in South Florida. Best of luck to him.

[bigvalboy]

matt colunga just posted that Johnsons will be opening early June in Fort Lauderdale. No address at this time.

 

I would welcome a club like Johnson's here.

Edited June 18, 2017 by bigvalboy

[DR FREUD]

Yes agreed, but he isn't saying at this time. Just that it is "His" club and will be high end gogo bar. He also commented on getting flack from some other bar owners. Only time will tell.

[+ Cock Eyed Optimist]

From which website are you getting these posts about the new place? I would like to get updates. Thanks.

[+ Cock Eyed Optimist]

It seems that Southern Nights is doing well. Nice format and well run, but word on the street is that the Boardwalk is in trouble financially. Running a deficit every month. My feeling is that the BW gets what they deserve. I would welcome and support any effort that Matt made in the FTL area.

Does Southern nights have dancers or is it just drag shows? And, sorry to hear that about Boardwalk!!!!

[bigvalboy]

Does Southern nights have dancers or is it just drag shows? And, sorry to hear that about Boardwalk!!!!

 

They have dancers, but they don't start till 10pm. I left both times about the time the dancers were ready to start, but it doesn't seem to be anything like the BW, or Swing Richards. It is a nice starting point as a happy hour and mid evening.

 

I would love to hear about the dancer situation at Southern Nights. Anyone?

[DR FREUD]

The info is coming from his facebook page. He posted a picture today of PJ's Bar??? as the new location. Someone said across the street from Manor but I'm not for Ft. Ldl so I can't say for sure.

[I-zik]

PJ's is directly across the street from The Manor and the new Southern Nights is a block away on the same street.

 

If PJs is in fact the new Johnsons location it's prime real estate.

[mikefl81]

What is Southern Nights? Does it have dancers, private rooms, etc? I'm not familiar with it.

 

I really hope Matt's new place works out. I've found Boardwalk to be surprisingly slow the last few times I've been there.

[+ Cock Eyed Optimist]

Any updates? In one of Matt Colunga's earlier FB posts, he mentions he was feeling pressure from other bars nearby. I hope he hasn't abandoned the idea.

[Larstrup]

He did post on May 12th that he was waiting for permits. Permits for that sort of project, and I'm assuming electrical, plumbing, structural etc all take 3-4 weeks minimum. It's a pain in the butt. My guess is that Matt is just waiting for them to come through.

 

That said...I spoke to a couple of people from the Boardwalk the other night, and they both know Victor from the BW and Sean from LeBoy very well, and they confirmed that both Victor and Sean have spent thousands to keep Matt from opening, by leaning hard on local officials. They confirmed that the BW has been losing business for sometime and business is off at LeBoy also.

 

When there was shooting and a raid at the Boardwalk, the first call Victor made was to the Mayor. Both incidences were swept under the rug. Employees refused to talk about it, and by the next day it was like nothing had happened. Victor is well connected politically.

 

Right now it appears that Southern Nights is stealing business. Wilton Drive or "The Drive" is the place to be, and both Southern Nights and Matt have secured prime locations. I personally wish Matt well.

 

Victor and Sean get what they deserve...IMO.

 

That's a shame that well connected guys behave like this to destroy new a new venture. I know a few years ago I somewhat staggered into the village pub. Had a great time there with a great crowd and staff. When you appreciate the blood, sweat and tears some people pour into their business, it's hard to stomach Victor and Sean's behavior.

 

Here's a video of what I mean, about the village pub and the the love that some people pour into their establishment. Haven't been there since, but hope they're doing well.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YViILk6Cf38

Edited May 23, 2017 by Larstrup

[zzed]

I hope Matt is able to get this thing off the ground on "The Drive". I much preferred the old Johnny's over it's recreation as LeBoy and agree that Boardwalk is well past it's glory days. In the full nudity "Sunny Isles" days the BW dancers would pull their dicks out and into your hand before you got a chance to order a beer LOL.

[Jake]

Agree zzed. LeBoy is a prettier club but nights at Johnny's were wild, crazy, unpredictable and fun. There's no need to have a stooge with a cash register. There's no need to pretend to be an art museum... yeah that art is worth $500 lol. If you want to charge a cover, charge a cover. But I'm not going to pay escort rates for a 15 minute dance.

 

LeBoy had promise when it first opened, but as soon as they started trying to become clones of all those clubs that failed, my visits became less frequent. I would sometimes spend hundreds a night. Now I spend around $20-30. I pregame elsewhere and sober up at LB and just tip the dancers.

 

The management's arrogance and greed has ruined what used to be my favorite spot. With the price structure they use now, they are just taking money away from the dancers... who are the reason we go in the first place.

Edited May 25, 2017 by Jake

[+ Cock Eyed Optimist]

In today's edition (May 25) of Hotspot's Magazine, there is a full page ad that says only: " Johnson's. Coming Soon. " White letters on a black page. Quite striking for that magazine which is always colorful.

[MiamiLooker]

Here's an interesting article from 1997 mentioning The Boardwalk and Johnny's (and a long-closed Club 825). I recall Club 825 had muscular dancers. I don't recall The Boardwalk ever having "young, thin, hairless and dainty" guys as mentioned in the article.

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1997-11-11/news/9711100311_1_strip-bars-gay-clubs-gay-bars

[+ azdr0710]

whatever happens, I hope it's successful for all concerned.....I'm lucky to have seen Swinging Richard's in Pompano before it closed and do know SR in Atlanta continues (have been there, too)......I'm sure this is a headache for Matt and I hope he can navigate the process......I know he has the experience and connections, but Florida has got to be a bit tricky, I presume

[bigvalboy]

Don't lose faith in me guys, I'm about to blow it out of the water. With the boys I'll have you won't need nudity. Club has been revamped, speakeasy w hot boys. Looking for a July 1 opening. See u there

 

Say no more...I admire your tenacity. I'm a local, so I'll be there for sure. I wish you all the luck in the world. AND...I agree, nudity isn't everything, and with nudity often comes ridiculous prices like Sean charges. I'm down with a hot bartender and some eye candy walking around.

 

Wishing you all the luck in the world.

Edited June 8, 2017 by bigvalboy

[EZEtoGRU]

Hey

Hey

[Chidude]

That's weird. Where did Matt Colunga's posts go?!

[Jake]

Russian hackers.

[bigvalboy]

Russian hackers.

 

Bastards...

[mikefl81]

Any update on when Johnson's could open? I'll be in South Florida July 1st weekend and would love to check it out! Thanks in advance.

[+ sam.fitzpatrick]

Any update on when Johnson's could open? I'll be in South Florida July 1st weekend and would love to check it out! Thanks in advance.

 

I will also be in Ft. Lauderdale that weekend. What's the scoop?

[bigvalboy]

Any update on when Johnson's could open? I'll be in South Florida July 1st weekend and would love to check it out! Thanks in advance.

 

I will also be in Ft. Lauderdale that weekend. What's the scoop?

 

Unfortunately I've heard nothing. Sorry.