Racks location
May 21, 2015 By Jackie Strawbridge
After significant, repeated pushback on their plans to open an adult entertainment venue, the owners of a proposed establishment called Racks finally earned Community Board 1’s support for a liquor license yesterday, after promising not to go topless.
CB 1 recommended against a license for Racks, located at 19-26 Steinway Street, when owners applied for as a topless adult entertainment venue last year. Before that, Racks applied for a license with the intention to operate as a bikini bar, but after refusing to sign stipulations promising never to go topless, the Board voted in opposition.
In 2013, Assembly Member Aravella Simotas led a campaign against a liquor license for the proposed bikini bar; community members also turned out in droves with a petition that garnered more than 500 signatures. The State Liquor Authority denied an application from the owners in July of that year.
This time around, the owners have agreed to the no-topless stipulation, according to Consumer Affairs Committee Chair Joseph Risi.
The owners told the Consumer Affairs Committee at its meeting on Monday that Racks will be a sports lounge and restaurant with a capacity of 540. There will be space for customers to dance and DJs, and no poles, they said.
CB 1 ultimately voted to recommend approval of Racks’ liquor license with nine in opposition.
When asked for comment on this decision, Simotas said that she “will work to hold the applicant to their promise to our community that they will not operate an adult entertainment establishment.”
