In late January 2018 there were several raids at Bourbon Street strip clubs. Very little illegal activity was found, but clubs were shut down none the less, and there have been protests and public outcry. See for example ... http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2… ... and ... http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2… ... and related stories.
I doubt it has much to do with "illegal activity". My experience is NOLA clubs are fairly tame compared to other areas I travel.
I suspect it has more to do with the ongoing upscale gentrification that is going on. Wealthy people love the food, music, and culture, spend sometimes millions to purchase property, and then soon tire of the nonstop party. My guess is the club raids have the same motivations as the noise ordinances and the short term rental ordinances.
My guess is they may be trying to clean up Bourbon St and make it moree family tourist friendly similar to what was done in Times Square in the 90s - seems mostly a business decision to me by the powers to be
Justin, Papi, I would tend to agree. It is the same paradox as with people who move out beyond the suburbs and then are upset that there are smelly cows or hunters with guns or bears in the back yard. You're there for the Quarter scene but it gets old fast and people don't want to bring their kids.
So every now and then you crack down to signal "hey, keep your places!".
OTOH, it's true that Bourbon St. per se (as some of the old-school clubs) had become with the passing of time something of a rundown self-reinforcing parody, a tourist trap for the Drinking Classes to have their money removed. And I'm sure the Town Fathers would like to strike some balance and attract a better quality of reveler. Old NOLA already has places to go to with a lower risk of an unpleasant experience -- if you wanted good music venues you could head to the Marigny; or if you wanted bar/party scene but more socially respectable you'd stay south of Royal on Decatur Street/Jackson Square. Bourbon St. however still has the "name", and I'm sure many would like to see it become a more presentable location for hip music venues and bars -- perhaps not Times Square but more like 6th St. in Austin.
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Like this black girl? NOLA sidewalks really like that?
http://image.nola.com/home/nola-media/wi…
SJG
The descriptions of activities do not look at first so unusual. Interesting that the "club handshake" is a repeatedly reported offense.
Then again, someof the clubs in that list I'd have expected them shut down by the Health and Safety office years ago...
A bit surprised to see the "upscale" Rick's in the list but of course high price is no guarantee of being squared away.
I suspect it has more to do with the ongoing upscale gentrification that is going on. Wealthy people love the food, music, and culture, spend sometimes millions to purchase property, and then soon tire of the nonstop party. My guess is the club raids have the same motivations as the noise ordinances and the short term rental ordinances.
SJG
Strip Club Design
https://www.tuscl.net/?page=post&id=5500…
So every now and then you crack down to signal "hey, keep your places!".
OTOH, it's true that Bourbon St. per se (as some of the old-school clubs) had become with the passing of time something of a rundown self-reinforcing parody, a tourist trap for the Drinking Classes to have their money removed. And I'm sure the Town Fathers would like to strike some balance and attract a better quality of reveler. Old NOLA already has places to go to with a lower risk of an unpleasant experience -- if you wanted good music venues you could head to the Marigny; or if you wanted bar/party scene but more socially respectable you'd stay south of Royal on Decatur Street/Jackson Square. Bourbon St. however still has the "name", and I'm sure many would like to see it become a more presentable location for hip music venues and bars -- perhaps not Times Square but more like 6th St. in Austin.