Downtown 'Gets Another Strip Club'
Ed Fuentes
The Platinum Gentlemen’s Lounge at 710 E. Commercial St.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — It’s back. The space on Commercial street that was once Little Tokyo Showgirls proudly declares it will open this week as The Platinum Gentlemen’s Lounge.
“Downtown Los Angeles gets another strip club on Thursday,” says the release. The setup follows the same general plan as the previous incarnation, offering an all-nude, nonalcoholic club, "luxurious" skyboxes, VIP lounge, and indoor-garage valet service. It also touts “cappuccino and espresso drinks, as well as light deli fare” and its proximity to Union Station.
First built as a 21-and-over club, the concept was presented to the surrounding communities as a “classy” joint venture with Penthouse. The opening was blocked due to protests from nearby Little Tokyo and LAPD, preventing the project to secure a liquor license. When Penthouse left, the club changed its name to Little Tokyo Showgirls, a move that was less branding and perhaps more about spiting those who had protested.
“In some ways, this is worse,” said Sergeant Kris Werner of LAPD's Central Division. “You could have 18 to 20 year olds drinking outside the club at their cars.”
While Little Tokyo stakeholders led the opposition to the club, reaction in the Arts District is a little more nuanced. "I paint nudes," said one local artist. "It would be silly of me to protest a strip club."
The reopened club has different ownership than those past efforts.
Tonight’s soft opening will have an 8 to 10pm reception that includes a menu tasting, says a polite and hesitant voice answering the phone. The grand opening is tomorrow.
Platinum Gentlemen’s Lounge will be open until 4am on Thursday through Saturday, and until 2am on other nights.
Urban Trojan on January 20, 2010, at 06:48PM – #1
Commercial and Aliso streets were the red light district one hundred years ago. Someone is just carrying on with old traditions!
anon on January 21, 2010, at 08:37AM – #2
this place has been open for at least the last six months? i know bc ive been there, lol
Eric Richardson (@blogdowntown) on January 21, 2010, at 09:05AM – #3
Anon: Yeah, Ed and I both thought they had been open. Apparently they were a little slow in deciding to have their grand opening.
Robert Banuelos on January 21, 2010, at 10:50AM – #4
i'd like to see the mayor and the councilman at the grand opening of this event. Its a local venue that will employ local unemployed residents. Giving them good wages. Contributing to sales tax. And to top it off its energy efficient.
Ravi on January 21, 2010, at 12:21PM – #5
Robert - I laughed out loud at your comment - much more enjoyable than the news within this post.
The nature of the business isn't very Zen-like and spiting - no not Zen at all.
I (heart) Little Tokyo.
Jooge on January 21, 2010, at 05:17PM – #6
Hells yeah baby!! Reed, dust off those PL Specials buddy it's time to get our grind on
Reed Quinn on January 21, 2010, at 06:04PM – #7
Jooge, unless the women are nascar certified, we would just hang out there and either be known as benchwarmers or fuckos. Which do you prefer?
Jooge on January 21, 2010, at 06:34PM – #8
Reed I'm cool with being a fucko. Who's that cute little girl in the picture with the blue hat?
Oscar on January 22, 2010, at 09:02AM – #9
woooohooo!
DawnC on January 22, 2010, at 10:52AM – #10
Something about driving into a tunnel to go to a strip club is incredibly creepy.
DawnC on January 22, 2010, at 05:37PM – #11
... but at least it's not a Hooters.
redman on January 23, 2010, at 10:32PM – #12
this is exactly what we need!
the public has spoken and the girls have heard!
Edson on January 25, 2010, at 09:16AM – #13
Edson was there for the grand opening he claims that it was so much fun that he arrive there at 8pm and left at 5am