Bangor to consider strip club ordinance change

BANGOR – City councilors will conduct a first reading on a proposed ordinance change that would allow an adult entertainment business to set up shop in the former Pilots Grill restaurant when they meet at 7:30 p.m. Monday.

The ordinance amendment was requested by the owners of Portland’s Platinum Plus, part of an East Coast chain of what proponents describe as “upscale gentlemen’s clubs.”

A lawyer representing Platinum Plus met last month with a council committee to outline the company’s plan to turn the former family restaurant on outer Hammond Street into an adult entertainment complex featuring topless dancers and cocktails. But first the owners must persuade city officials to change Bangor’s current policy on nude entertainment.

As things stand, adult establishments can offer nudity or alcoholic beverages but not both. The city’s only similar establishment, Diva’s Gentlemen’s Club, offers full bar service, but its exotic dancers must keep their bikinis on.

Assistant City Solicitor John Hamer said at that time that after the first reading, the matter likely will be referred back to the transportation and infrastructure committee, chaired by Councilor David Nealley, for additional review later in the month. He said this step could require more than one meeting.

Barring any snags, the matter then will return to the full council, which would conduct a second reading and give it the thumbs up or thumbs down, Hamer said.

In a memorandum to city councilors, Hamer noted that proposed rules include:

. Employees of the establishment would have to be at least 18 years old and patrons 21 and older.

. The club would be required to stop serving alcohol by 1 a.m., but might be allowed to remain open for the after-hours crowd.

. Platinum Plus, and facilities like it, would be limited to commercial zoned land, with the exceptions the downtown development district and sites within 500 feet of schools, playgrounds, parks, residential areas and other establishments holding liquor licenses (not counting itself).

. Dancers would be able to display their breasts only. Their buttocks and genitals would have to remain under cover.