Nightlife

[Smuttynose]

City officials cold to club's nude dancing plan

By RILEY YATES
Union Leader Staff

MANCHESTER ? An embattled Elm Street nightclub plans to begin offering nude dancing next month, a move city regulators believe may not be allowed.

Omega Entertainment Complex has posted signs on its building advertising the adult entertainment, which it says would start Aug. 26.

"Omega will become Manchester's first bottle service gentlemens club featuring nude dancing," the four signs, written in all capital letters, say.

The proposal would site a strip club in the heart of Manchester, nearly across the street from the city-owned Verizon Wireless Arena and close to a key gateway at Granite and Elm streets.

The announcement met condemnation from Mayor Frank Guinta, who said he instructed staff to look for ways to block the proposal. Regulators, meanwhile, said it likely runs afoul with city ordinances enacted in the 1990s to discourage adult entertainment coming to Manchester.

"Residents can rest assured that as long as I am mayor of Manchester, this kind of business is and will not be welcome in our city," Guinta said in a written statement.

About 10 years ago, Manchester formed adult zoning regulations in response to worries that adult bookstores were coming to the city, Planning Director Bob MacKenzie said.

While First Amendment protections of free speech likely prevent the city from banning adult clubs altogether, the rules were meant to discourage them from coming and grouping in one area, MacKenzie said.

Matthew Normand, deputy clerk for licensing and facilities, said Omega appears to fall within a residential buffer established by ordinance, likely making it ineligible to become a strip club.

The ordinance bars a sexually oriented business from being within 500 feet of a residential area or a recreational facility.

"The first hurdle I can see is probably the zoning ordinance for them," Normand said.

Normand stressed city officials are still investigating the matter; the Planning Department is measuring the distance between Omega and the closest residential area, next to Valley Cemetery at Willow and Auburn streets.

An answer should be known by tomorrow, Normand said.

Alderman Ted Gatsas of Ward 2 said Omega's proposal underscores the value of further business licensing in the city. As Senate president this year, Gatsas helped usher enabling legislation through the State House that proponents said would give more control over problem businesses.

"If there's not a city ordinance prohibiting it, we should put one into effect," said Gatsas, "because that's not what the city of Manchester is looking for."

Normand also said the Verizon could be viewed as a recreational facility. City ordinance defines a recreational facility as an entity such as the YMCA or Boy and Girls Club where minors may congregate, he said.

George Maroun Sr., the owner of Omega, did not return a phone call last night.

A spokesman for the Verizon arena said he needs to review Omega's plans.

"Ultimately, we just look for everyone to have the best business practices," said Jason Perry.

Currently, the only strip club in the Manchester area is Mark's Showplace, on South River Road in Bedford.

City officials and Omega have long butted heads. Earlier this year, the club lost a bid to renew its liquor license, after Guinta and others lobbied against it.

Recently, Guinta criticized Omega for encouraging patrons to bring their own alcohol, something state law does not prohibit.

 

[Smuttynose]

Landlord: Omega to be evicted

By RILEY YATES

Manchester ? The landlord of the embattled Omega Entertainment Complex said yesterday the business will be evicted long before it becomes a strip club.

Dick Anagnost, who co-owns the 8,500-square-foot building, said the nightclub?s owners owe thousands of dollars of back rent. In May, they were served with an eviction notice, and a final hearing is expected to be held Aug. 2, he said.

This week, Omega announced it was going to become a gentlemen?s club that offers nude dancing, starting Aug. 26.

The move was condemned by Mayor Frank Guinta, and city officials scrambled to determine whether local ordinances would prohibit the 494 Elm Street location, which is close to a key gateway to Manchester and nearly across the street from the Verizon Wireless Arena.

?We?re evicting them,? Anagnost said. ?This won?t be happening in Manchester as long as I am landlord.?

Yesterday, Omega manager Nick Maroun said the club?s legal counsel would issue a written statement later this week about its plans.

►City officials cold to club's nude dancing plan



Maroun would not comment on the proposal, which would establish the city?s first strip club.

Anagnost said Omega last cut a check for its nearly $12,000 in monthly rent in March or April. He characterized the strip club proposal as a ?last-ditch effort? by the club.

?I don?t know if they?re trying to make some money, or if they?re trying to further cause angst in the community,? Anagnost said.

Omega has long fought with city officials who cite statistics that show a high number of arrests there. Earlier this year, it lost its liquor license, after Mayor Frank Guinta and others lobbied against state renewal.

Officials have since criticized the club for asking patrons to bring their own alcohol, something state law does not prohibit.

Anagnost said the club has fought the eviction, but that he is confident it will go forward. The case is in Hillsborough County Superior Court.

Omega struggled with Anagnost over rent earlier this year, but was able to avoid eviction.

In early May, Manchester District Court Judge John Emery dismissed an eviction case by Anagnost and other landlords, which maintained the club hadn?t kept up with its rent.

Emery ruled Omega?s owners had delivered a cashier?s check to landlords within a deadline they had set.

 

[M. Brown]

I am completely against any kind of strip club. Thats just going too far. Especially infront of the Verizon where people would take there children to go see a concert or something and have a strip club right there. Thats just stupid.

 

[Smuttynose]

Task force targets 18-plus clubs

By JOHN WHITSON
Union Leader Staff

MANCHESTER ? A city task force will go before the Board of Mayor and Aldermen soon, looking for support in trying to curb underage drinking.

The Mayor's Committee on Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs will recommend city officials work to discourage or ban so-called "18-plus" nightclubs that allow 18- to 20-year-olds inside without serving them liquor.

"This isn't really targeted at any specific business," said Martin Boldin, director of the city's Office of Youth Services and task force chairman. "This is about finding common ground to make Manchester a better place."

The advisory panel will make a presentation, outlining member concerns about the proliferation of drinking establishments in general and the societal impact of 18-plus clubs in particular.

"We understand that the more alcohol outlets there are in the community, there is a greater amount of crime and impairment problems in that area," said Boldin, whose panel made a similar presentation to aldermen a year ago.

Instead of creating an adversarial relationship, Boldin said he would like club owners to work with the panel and the city to come up with a solution that doesn't hurt business and helps young adults.

One avenue is closed. The city cannot craft an ordinance to ban 18-plus clubs because that would run afoul of state law.

City Solicitor Tom Clark said the concept has been brought to him in conversation, "but the State Liquor Commission pre-empts local ordinances."

Randall Avery, deputy chief of enforcement for the State Liquor Commission, said he's not aware of any municipality in the state that has had success banning 18-plus clubs.

If Manchester's aldermen agree it is an issue worth battling, Avery recommends the city organize a lobbying effort. "They could possibly support legislation that outlaws allowing 18-year-olds into lounges," he said.

State Sen. Lou D'Allesandro, a member of the task force, said the liquor commission has been responsive to city concerns in the past and that tools are already in place to penalize clubs if they're caught serving alcohol illegally.

"Rather than introduce legislation," he said, "enforce the legislation that we have."

Club Envy on Elm Street is an 18-plus dance club and restaurant that counts on the younger crowd to turn out. The 18- to 20-year-olds make up "a decent portion" of Envy's customers, said Joel, the club's manager, who refused to provide his last name. "It depends on the night."

He said claims of underage drinking in 18-plus clubs are overstated. "We go above and beyond the call of duty. There's numerous checkpoints."

Envy, said Joel, has two identification checkpoints, and the club requires wristbands and markings on everyone's hands so bartenders don't have to be concerned. "They have to have one or the other or they're asked to leave," he said.

Mark Deane, owner of Mark's Showplace, opens his club on South River Road in neighboring Bedford to anyone over 18. "I don't think it's the idea of 18-plus, I think it's the idea of individual clubs not being responsible," he said.

"If (managers) take the time and work out a plan, they won't have a problem (with underage drinking)," said Deane. "You have to stick to your guns and be very, very cautious."

D'Allesandro said the issue actually points to a larger, societal problem: the attraction of young people to alcohol.

"Many of these youngsters ... they have been drinking prior to coming to these places," he said. "That's something that we have to deal with in a much different manner."

Louis Craig, a former city police chief and a task force member, doesn't buy the idea that underage drinking isn't prevalent at 18-plus clubs. "It's very easy to secure liquor at these places," he said.

But Craig agrees with D'Allesandro that tackling the problem requires a large net.

"Manchester should be finding other activities for them to be involved with," said Craig. "Not just city government, but the schools, the family and various agencies. There are activities out there, whether it's sports or other things. All of it can take place without liquor."

 

[pinheaduck]

freddy krueger should be happy about this

 

[Smuttynose]

On deck: Cool people hang out here
By CAROL ROBIDOUX
Union Leader Staff

MANCHESTER ? Forget the debate between evolution and intelligent design ? it really doesn't matter how the city's summer nightlife became so refreshing.

It just is.

"On the deck at the Derryfield with a cigar and a beer ? it doesn't get much better than this," said Kevin McCullough of Bedford, perched on a stool and puffing on a stogie while enjoying the verdant vista sprawling below the back railing of the Mammoth Road watering hole.

From left, Dina Belanger, Matt Miceli, Pam Barnes and Bill Flammia enjoy the Derryfield deck in Manchester with its view of the golf course recently. The group stopped by after work and feel that it is the perfect setting to relax after a busy week. (BRUCE TAYLER)
He and golfing buddy David Hazel of Manchester had just finished up a game.

"The old deck here was fun, but this outclasses it," Hazel said. "This kind of place is much overdue. It's a great nugget right here in the city."

If by nugget, Hazel means a festive, open-air bar with lots of umbrella-shaded tables, live music and eats ranging from finger food to full-on fiesta, then yes, Derryfield's deck is a real chunk of nightlife heaven.

But it's not the only nugget in town.

A recent sweep of the city's most-frequented outdoor party decks proved fruitful ? within a five-mile radius there are five night spots to fit your mood ? Jillian's and Fratello's, at opposite ends of the Millyard; the Patio at Hilton Garden Inn, next to the Fisher Cats' ballpark; Wally & Bernie's, across Elm Street from the Verizon Wireless Arena, and the new and improved Derryfield.


Derryfield Restaurant, 625 Mammoth Road: For Steve and Terri Clark, something about the Derryfield feels like home. Could be that they've been sitting in just about the same spot, either indoors or out ? depending on the weather ? two or three times a week for the last two years.

"We do like to make the rounds," said Steve Clark. "We like Jillian's ? Sunday night reggae is a draw for us ? and the new deck at the Hilton Gardens is nice. Wally and Bernie's at night is romantic. But for us, this is honest to God the best place in Manchester."

From left, Katie DuPre, J.P. McManus, Andrew Lepore and Jamie Herther enjoy The Patio at the Hilton Garden Inn with its view of the MerchantsAuto.com Stadium in Manchester. (BRUCE TAYLER)
When the weather's warm enough, the Clarks' main objective is finding a seat on a deck anywhere Miller Lite is served.

"If we can't get a seat here, we'll go someplace else," said Terri Clark. "We only drink Miller Lite, and we only go to outdoor places in the summer."

Manager Jim Flebotte said the deck holds about 165 patrons and features live music Tuesday through Sunday.

"Having a deck is a major appeal ? it's a short season for summer, so once the warm weather hits, people want to be outside," Flebotte said.

"One of the advantages we have here is that the downtown bars see a lot of the younger crowd. We don't necessarily see that element here," he said. "Our other advantage is the view. It's tough to find anything like it in the city."

Tough, but not impossible.


The Patio at the Hilton Garden Inn, 101 South Commercial St.: Where else in the city can you sip a Ball Park Sangria in one hand and catch a home run ball in the other?

"We actually post signs on tables that read, 'Please watch out for flying balls," said restaurant supervisor Jarrod MacNeil. "When you're sitting 395 feet from home plate, you do get some home run balls."

The Patio's appeal for sports fans is a no-brainer, nestled as it is between the new Hilton and center field at MerchantsAuto.com Stadium.

But this place is also catching on with the happy hour business crowd, who come for the daily drink specials and stay for the upscale atmosphere and gourmet cuisine by executive chef Paul Griffin.

"Believe it or not, once people find us, they really don't want to spread the word too much," said MacNeil. One definite perk is that, on a Fisher Cats game day, bar patrons who arrive early enough get to watch baseball without having to buy a ticket.

"We can seat about 125 out here ? you can eat and drink and enjoy the game ? even reserve a table for 10 or more in advance," MacNeil said.

Last week Mike Soltys of Southington, Ct., was in town on business, doing some promotional work for NASCAR.

"This is impressive," Soltys said, surveying the outfield from a table for four he shared with colleagues, also in town for the races.

"Absolutely beautiful. It's surprising to me that more people don't know about it. With the kind of work we do we've traveled pretty extensively around the country, and none of us could think of a place quite like this one," Soltys said. "It's unbelievable."


Wally & Bernie's (WB's), 20 Old Granite St.: Officially opened just three weeks ago, the deck at WB's is more like an outdoor room than a traditional deck, said floor manager Chris Rozzi.

"We're still trying to come up with a name for it," Rozzi said. "Our goal was to create something unique, and I think we achieved that."

Wood-tone composite flooring and hand-hewn seating contribute to the tiki-bar atmosphere at WB's, where the summer deck serves about 97 and features a custom-made, rectangular bar, inset candlelighting, couches, a small dance floor and plenty of cross-ventilation.

So far management is experimenting with entertainment ? a mix of DJs and live music from night to night. "People are still discovering it," Rozzi said. "Even our regular customers are just finding out it's here."

Pam and T.J. Potter of Bedford were enjoying a romantic dinner for two ? a Reuben sandwich and draft beer for him and chicken fingers and red wine for her ? on the deck.

"Her hairdresser told her about it today, so we came out. It's fantastic," said Potter, while his wife checked in with one of their two teenagers by cell phone. "It doesn't feel like New Hampshire ? it feels like someplace else."

Seated halfway down the bar was Donna Crook, of Charlotte, N.C., home visiting with old friends from Manchester following the death of her father.

"I used to come here when it was Cahoots," Crook said. "This is what's been missing in Manchester. There's no place just to hang out with your friends."

Tony Wright and Sonia Fillion, of Maple Street, said they've found their hangout.

"We used to go to Cotton ? we still like it there ? but look around. This is so classy and elegant," said Fillion.

"The Derryfield is nice if you like to watch golf," Wright said. "Once you're there, then what? Here, if you want, you can leave and, right down the street, there are plenty of other bars to choose from."


Jillian's Billiard Club, 50 Phillipe Cote St.: Say "party atmosphere" and just about anyone familiar with Manchester's nightlife will point you in the direction of Jillian's, where sipping suds on a hot summer night next to the Merrimack River is practically a rite of passage.

Although construction mess and the stench of asphalt have made parking and partying this season more of challenge, Gail Lawler of Milford had no trouble finding her way to a shady spot on the deck, a tall glass of Sam Adams Summer Ale with a twist of lemon in hand.

"I will come here on a Friday night, or during the day for lunch with a friend ? it's a great spot," said Lawler. "And it's easy to get to, the highway's right there."

Although the indoor attractions ? pool tables, arcades and plenty of TV screens ? are hard to resist, Jillian's promotes its outdoor entertainment, which often fills the deck to its 120-person capacity, especially on weekends.

Last Friday Marcel Faucher of Manchester ? still in celebration mode over hitting 21 three weeks earlier, was about to experience Jillian's deck for the first time with friends Jason Wesson, of Manchester, and Mike Rougier of Londonderry.

"I would think the deck is just more relaxing than being indoors," Faucher said. "I'm about to find out, so I'll let you know."


Fratello's Ristorante Italiano, 155 Dow St.: Expansion of the upper level of Fratello's two-tier deck was completed just in time for the sultry days of summer, said general manager Keith Ford.

"It's definitely a draw for us. For years we never (expanded) the upper deck because we figured people wanted the sun. Then we realized just as many people like the shade. Here, they can have both," Ford said.

With a side wall enclosure planned for next year, Ford figures Fratello's will be one of the only outdoor venues offering full three-season dining.

But the biggest draw for deck people is entertainment, says Ford.

"We just started a new gentleman, Charlie Chronopoulis ? he's great, he plays everything from folk to Top 40s to blues. He's already increased our business by 100 percent," said Ford.

Ford said so far competition from other open-air night spots hasn't hurt his business. "We can seat 120 people outside. Last week the patio and deck were full," Ford said. "Ultimately, you gotta do a good job once they get here."

Sherri Dinger of Londonderry and a friend settled on Fratello's after finding no parking spots left at the Derryfield.

"We checked out Cotton's, too, but it was too coupley ? too quiet," said Dinger. "And we kind of wanted to talk, so this worked out," she said.

Joy Smart of Concord said Fratello's has long been one of her favorite spots to meet with friends. This night she's finishing up a round of appetizers, drinks and desserts with Camille Baker of Goffstown and Suzie Reed of Concord.

"It's familiar and it's convenient. And we definitely were looking for outdoor seating on a night like tonight," Smart said.

"And the music really makes it a nice atmosphere," said Reed. "We wanted to sit on the upper deck but it was full when we got here, so we sat downstairs."

"Everything was wonderful," said Baker. "I don't get out much, and I've never been here before, but this was very relaxing."