The future of the city’s only strip club is up in the air after the Omaha City Council approved an ordinance amendment that will work in favor to shut the club’s doors.
The nuisance ordinance would mean Club Omaha would have to abide by the same good neighbor rules that other establishments with liquor licenses follow.
City Council voted 7 to 0 today in favor of amending the city code that would require Club Omaha on 73rd and Farnam to abide by the good neighbor ordinance.
The amended ordinance in Omaha’s Municipal Code targets businesses that sell or allow consumption of alcohol. It requires them to follow code limiting excessive noise, public disturbances and loitering.
Right now, Club Omaha operates under a legal loophole in state liquor law, it allows guests to bring their own alcohol to consume at the fully nude strip club.
It’s not possible for nude establishments to get liquor licenses in Omaha…but Its bring your own booze and membership only and therefore not considered public.
City Council members have been working to close the club after public outcry and city leaders say that the good neighbor ordinance will act as an enforcement mechanism for businesses like Club Omaha.
Councilman Chris Jerram said “As long as they’re being a good neighbor and not causing problems this ordinance is nothing they should worry about. But if the neighbors are reporting things with violations – parking issues, noise issues, traffic issues, the city now has a tool in its toolbox to address it.”
City leaders say amending the good neighbor ordinance was a quick plan of action after LB632 out of Lincoln was delayed until next year. That bill would close the legal loophole that allows Club Omaha to operate.
