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Club reopens in Vancouver, BC.

The Penthouse, Vancouver's most famous strip club, will reopen March 22 after a fire closed the venerable night post on Seymour Street more than three months ago.

The fire, which was noticed by a passing police constable on patrol, likely started in a couch in the dancers' changing room some time in the wee hours of Nov. 30.

A “red carpet celebration” is set for the reopening on Thursday, March 22, the club said in a press release.

Doors will open at 7 p.m., followed by a performance by local rockabillies Six Gun Romeo, it said.

“The classic late night naughtiness begins at 10 p.m.”

The Penthouse was opened as a supper club in 1947 by four brothers: Joe, Ross, Mickey and Jimmy Filippone.

Performers such as Sammy Davis Jr., Nat King Cole, the Mills Brothers and Harry Belafonte appeared on stage in the early days.

That attracted a clientele of A-listers Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, Errol Flynn and Louis Armstrong, as well as hordes of Vancouverites who turned out to soak up the glamour.

The old photos of Hollywood stars are still there, but the venue is known now for its exotic entertainment, although the stage is turned over to live bands on occasion.

Owner Danny Filippone noted The Penthouse has “a very rich and storied history,” in the release.

Capt. Gabe Roder, spokesman for Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services, said the fire was never considered suspicious.

“It has gone into the books as an accidental fire,” Roder told The Province on Thursday.

“In all probability, it started in a couch in the dancers' changing room — someone smoking on a couch.”

The media will get a sneak peek of the renovations ahead of time on March 19.