Encino Gentlemen’s Club?

Update here (2/25/10)

Remember the El Torito Restaurant that used to be on Ventura Blvd. overlooking Los Encinos Park? Opening there soon is Atlantis, a “New Upscale Sports Bar/Night Club” as they bill themselves, or a “Gentlemen’s Club” as it was billed at the Encino Neighborhood Council meeting held this week to oppose it. From the latter’s description it sounds more like Hooters rather than a strip club, which I gather would be illegal at that location, but there is some debate about whether that means bikinis or pasties or less. Or maybe none of those. The owners assuredly have the legalities sorted out, so no doubt it will open – they put the signs up today (see the photo).

But for some local residents it brings back bad memories of its predecessor, the Pearl Café, with late night drunks and broken bottles and more. For others, with so many FOR LEASE signs along Ventura Blvd., anything that brings money and people into the local economy is a good thing and it’s not like there haven’t been clubs there before.

My prediction: it survives a year or so like all its predecessors then turns into something else.