Porthole Nightmare

I was reading some reviews on the Porthole - kind of mixed lately but mostly about day shift - so decided to take a trip out to the club on Tuesday night after midnight. The layout of this club is well documented - see previous reviews. I only go to this club once in a while and usually late at night. It is almost always good for a fun time if nothing else. Most of the staff and bartenders are cool and while it is basically a dive - it has the neighborhood club feel to it - with strippers. On this night - cover was $5 and parking was $2 - fair enough as always. Door and front door lady - nice as always. There were about ten girls on shift as usual and they ranged from 5 to 7's with a couple losers in the bunch. I took a seat at the bar by the dance floor as usual and I immediately felt there was a difference in the club. The atmosphere seemed tight - there was what I later learned was the New manager (tall lurching guy) - circling around the bar like he was investigating a terrorist attack. The music in the club was awful - I mean old songs for a Senior citizen home. One of the girls I know there - approached me with a friendly smile. I bought her a drink and I asked her what the heck was going on in the club. She told me they had new management and the guy was making major changes. Most of the management staff had been replaced and the club was going for a real toned down atmosphere - elevator music and what seemed like over-supervision. I was shocked at the different feel in the club. First of all it was totally dead - but more importantly there was no vibe in the club. Customers were coming in and leaving just as quick. As i was thinking about it - I remember about two years ago they tried the same thing and the club attendance dropped to nothing during the week and slow on the weekend. They thought they could go upscale. They eventually came to their senses and switched management after a few weeks of that and things went back to normal. Wow - sounds like they are trying to do it again which is ridiculous - Porthole is and always has been that neighborhood dive bar - I hate to see it go down - has always been a good time for me. Since they lost their 4'oclock license it has been down trending. Nothing like stepping on a sinking ship. I finished my drink - double tipped the bartender- who was also new - and left. Leave it to ownership and management to screw up a good thing. Not sure I could enjoy this club with the current atmosphere - hopefully they will adjust back soon.