Backstreet gay club atlanta ga

After nearly 30 years of running the city's storied, 'round-the-clock gay disco, Backstreet owner Vicki Vara is uncertain what the future holds for her Peachtree Street landmark. We've tried to work with them and get along with our neighbors. Backstreet quit pouring alcohol Jan. But the Varas lost the appeal. Then, earlier this month, the club faced yet another gay — one that forced it to shut its doors, perhaps permanently: failure to obtain a "dancehall" license.

Elston Collins, one of Backstreet's neighbors and a board member of the year-old Midtown Ponce Security Alliance, backstreet patrols in Midtown's residential neighborhoods, says he intends to do what he can to ensure Backstreet remains closed. So we'll oppose gay move that will return Backstreet to their previous status as a hour nightclub.

Backstreet's problems started last fall, when the club — along with the Riviera in Midtown and Club off Cheshire Bridge Road — lost a long court battle to retain their status as private clubs that were exempt from the city's bar closing hours. After the clubs lost their appeal, Backstreet continued to operate as a dry, all-night disco while Vara looked for a way to regain a club license.

This spring, the Varas submitted a proposal to allow Backstreet to resume serving drinks as a full-service restaurant. In observance of the city's new liquor hours, the restaurant-club would've locked the liquor cabinet at 3 a. The licensing board, however, never heard the proposal.

On July 6, the Varas' application to transform Backstreet into a restaurant was rejected by the board after Councilwoman Debi Starnes showed up to oppose the club's request. At the hearing, the board backstreet to waive the club's previous license violations, which included a bust for illegally selling nitrous oxide canisters or "whippits" to club patrons.

They've had complaints from old neighbors, city officials and business owners. By contrast, the board unanimously endorsed an expansion plan by Blake's, another well-known gay bar a few blocks away on 10th Street. Collins, who's lived on nearby Myrtle Street for seven years, says the Midtown Ponce Security Alliance opposed the Varas' proposal because he claims the Varas had no real interest in operating a legitimate restaurant.

A few days after the licensing board meeting, in the wee hours of July 17, the club was raided by police, who cited the owners for club a dancehall without a license, and jailed the acting manager overnight. City code defines atlanta dancehall as a place that offers all-night dancing but doesn't serve atlanta allow alcohol on premises.

In June, City Council closed a loophole that had allowed some local nightclubs to serve drinks until 3 a. A new ordinance mandates that nightclubs must close at 3 a. After the bust, the Varas immediately shut down the club. Vara says their failure to get a dancehall license was an oversight, but she isn't sure they'll apply for one.

After all, that application would again be heard by the city's licensing board, which already turned Backstreet down for the restaurant license. I think they've used up all their chances and goodwill with everybody.

Backstreet Atlanta Discotheque visual arts collection

Original Atlanta. Dead-end for Backstreet? But she realizes the situation is grim. Starnes is not exactly sympathetic.