One of Dublin's most popular lap-dancing clubs may be forced to close after a judge refused yesterday to grant it a public dancing licence.
In a move that could spell the beginning of the end of the city's booming lap-dancing business, Judge Clare Leonard said the upmarket Dame Street venue, Club Lapellos, was not entitled to a licence because it did not allow "dancing in terms understood by the courts".
Gardai had objected to granting an annual dance licence because patrons were not allowed dance like they would at a normal venue.
The Dublin District Court was told that between 40 and 50 mainly middle-aged men visited the premises every night, each paying a £10 entrance fee to watch erotic dancing by scantily clad women.
It heard the only area where customers could dance if they wished was carpeted.
Judge Leonard said the evidence was that this was not an officially designated dance-floor.
"The type of dancing is exhibition dancing more in the category of entertainment than public dancing," she said.
Mr Chris Kelly, the owner of the club, told the court that patrons were entitled to dance after the dancers had finished and there was a DJ there playing music every night of the week.
In her decision to refuse the licence, Judge Leonard said the club did not appear to fall within the terms of the 1935 Public Dance Halls Act.
Mr Kelly said afterwards he intended to appeal the decision.
The club opened in May 2000 and was operating for some time before gardai brought to Mr Kelly's attention that fact it needed a dance licence.
It was granted a temporary licence a number of months ago pending the hearing of its application for a full licence earlier this month.
Legal sources said that unless it was able to continue renewing the temporary licence pending the appeal, it would have to close.
In advertisements on its website, the club says it caters for corporate groups and stag and hen parties.
Among the performances on offer are "lesbian striptease" at £500, go-go dancers at £130 per dancer and "one-on-one" private dances costing between £10 and £20 per three to four-minute act. All prices are "including security".
The club also offers a "limo service" in which two girls perform "a raunchy double striptease act" in an American limousine driven through the capital.
