Even without a liquor license, the show will go on at a controversial Long Island City strip club.
Show Palace, formerly known as Gypsy Rose, is slated to open May 31 as a gentleman’s club and restaurant.
A message sent out on the club’s Twitter account touts it as “the newest, largest, most upscale FULL NUDE Adult Nightclub/Restaurant in NYC.”
Owners of the club have tried twice to get a liquor license without success.
Local civic leaders, elected officials and business owners lobbied hard against the club, saying it would hurt the rebirth of Long Island City as a family friendly neighborhood.
“We are going to all the agencies to make sure they are in compliance,” said Joseph Conley, chairman of Community Board 2. “This is not a slam dunk. We are going to do what we have to do to make sure something like this doesn’t stay in our community.”
In recent days, young women have walked into local businesses and handed out cards with risque pictures advertising Show Palace.
The club’s web page outlines its hours, 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. Thursdays through Sundays, noting it offers a $10 steak, eggs and mimosa meal deal.
While full nudity is not allowed in clubs where alcohol is served, the rules are looser for dry establishments.
Terry Flynn, an attorney for the club’s owner, said they are still pursuing a liquor license.
“We’re still waiting on the reasons for denial from the State Liquor Authority,” said Flynn. “It’s taking longer than usual and we can’t appeal until we get them.”
Flynn previously said the owners pumped a lot of money into the building at 42-50 21st St. near the Queensboro Bridge.
Despite the drab facade, photos on the club’s Facebook page show a lux interior with chandeliers and large screens.
The owners also tried to appease local leaders by promising to restrict signage and parking. They also pointed out the club conforms to zoning regulations.
But Conley said the neighborhood was not convinced.
Long Island City, once a gritty manufacturing area, is now home to luxury housing with a growing retail and restaurant corridor.
“The zoning is outdated,” he said. “This is so out of character with the community.”
