New York City's legendary drag club La Nueva Escuelita will remain open until at least mid-June. That's according to a Thursday ruling after action sought by the New York State Liquor Authority, reports the Daily News. Authorities were attempting to pull the Times Square club's liquor license after several incidents.
Citing five complaints against the club — including one count of selling beer to a minor — the NYSLA is trying to put the dance and performance space out of business. Owners and managers of New Escuelita say the agency is discriminating againsy its largely Latino and African lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender patrons.
Club lawyer Tom Shanahan said a criminal court judge has dismissed the underage sale allegation. On another count accusing a manager of assault, the cop who pressed the case admits he never saw what happened. That case goes to trial next month.
Shanahan says what really is going on is a move to oust the club and strip its liquor license because its clientele offend some. "The reality is the street has changed. They [the patrons\] don’t fit in any more with that gentrification of the Port Authority and Times Square area," he said.
Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Geoffrey Wright had initially barred the SLA from proceeding, but changed his mind Thursday. He did so when he was assured the earliest the W. 39th Street club could lose its booze license, because of the appeals process, is June 15th.
The club is among the last of the big clubs around Times Square that feature Black and Latino drag shows, as well as dancers and go-go boys.The once-gritty block on West 39th Street has been redeveloped into boutique hotels and upscale retail establishments. A number of similar Times Square clubs such as Stella's and The Gaiety have also closed due to the redevelopment of the Times Square district.
In December 2010, the NYSLA closed the legendary Chi Chiz after a long legal battle. This was the last Black-owned gay bar on New York City's Christopher Street in the West Village.
Old skool NYC "children" may recall that Escuelita is blocks away from the former location of Sally's Hideaway, which was THE spot for drag in the late 80s and early 90s.
To be continued ...
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Wow! I remember visiting on a business trip when I was 21. I had to ditch my coworkers to find it. I sat in the lobby of The Hilton trying to find the closest Gay Black Club.
It was pretty gritty, but a reasoneable walking distance. Good times.
Posted by: Goodtimes | 06 January 2012 at 11:27
new york is a changing and NOT for the better...
i love Esculieta. that club and the limelight (at the very downswing of the Gatien era) informed by early club life in college with frequent trips to NYC from Oberlin in the mid 90s...
I lived for Esculieta and i ALWAYS had a great time...
I hope they can clear this up and remain open.
but something tells me that area of NYC is prime for gentrification and folk will be GUNNING HOARD to get rid of the club to make that happen....
Posted by: Ryan | 07 January 2012 at 15:58
I've never been part of the gay scene while coming up in NY but it has been clear for the last 10 years or so that NYC doesn't want gay blacks in the city and the white gay establishment is part and parcel of this whole prejudiced push to rid the city of black and latino gay clubs. All the "famous" clubs that I've heard friends tell stories about are gone or going. Folk keep saying things are getting better? Yes gays can marry but things are getting worse.
Posted by: Clientel | 10 January 2012 at 15:09