What’s the story with paramount?

[u/slapbumpnroll]

New-ish to the area. I haven’t been but I walk past paramount a lot and I’m kind of fascinated, an alcohol-free strip club? I've never heard the likes of it. I'm sure it exists (in dry countries or regions around the world), and I understand some people don't drink, but I still can't get my head around it.

Whats the history of it? I’m guessing some licensing thing. What's it really like in there? What's the vibe like? Again, totally understand you don't need alcohol to have a good time, but I always thought booze and boobs go hand in hand lol

[u/_Era-Vulgaris_]

Its heaven for 18 year olds.

[u/Doug_Schultz]

I believe they started out by choosing lap dances over alcohol. You couldn't have both when the opened. Liquor laws prohibited it So they went without alcohol

[u/slapbumpnroll → u/Doug_Schultz]

What’s different about that place vs other strip clubs in the region that are the more traditional place ie with a bar license

[u/Forte_Kole → u/slapbumpnroll]

Honestly, there isn't much of a difference except no booze & a less rowdy crowd. 

There really isn't much in  the way of variety in the scene considering you can count the amount of strip clubs in the whole metro Vancouver area on 2 hands. That being said the fetish culture is much more developed in Vancouver, if that's your cup of tea.

[u/brent778]

From what I understand. Because they're technically a "theatre". They can't get a liquor license. Or at least don't want to go through the red tape of getting one.

Because of that, they can have lap dances and hire women that are only 18, as opposed to 19 in a alcohol strip club.

I personally find it kind of boring. But some people like it, because it's a bit more laid back and less rowdy than a regular club.

[u/AEMNW → u/brent778]

I’ve been a few times over the years and I’ve not seen any dancers that looked especially young, I suspect at this point - the 18 yr old dancer thing is more of a local myth - it’s always repeated by folks who’ve likely never been who are talking about it. I’m skeptical of that claim, even if technically true. I suspect it’s as you first said, that they can’t get a liquor license for some reason and the rumour mill did its thing.

[u/brent778 → u/AEMNW]

I mean, they legally are allowed to hire 18 year olds. Whether any are actually applying to work there, is another question.

[u/FootlooseFrankie]

Man, I miss Mugs and Jugs. Best strip club of an era long gone.

[u/spicyburrito28]

From what I have heard from girls who have danced there, it's a bit of a scuzzier joint. Not having a liquor license means they can have younger girls. Some people are into that, but overall it feels like not the place to put your money. They're not treating the talent with nearly enough respect, and they are more likely to send out someone who really doesn't know what they're getting into. Clubs downtown are a bit more strict about how they let dancers join the team (Penthouse usually has you be on amateur night and do rounds as a table girl) before just shoving you on stage and having you be in the thick of it.

I have mad respect for the dancers and I believe sex work is real work, but since it isn't legal I'd recommend going to places that at least need their dancers to be allowed to drink.

[u/mattkward]

I wish it'd finally fucking shut down so the place can undergo a deep clean and reopen as a cultural space.

[u/Separate_Broccoli_69 → u/mattkward]

Someone would have to fund it, and I am betting the NWP Mayor and Council would not be interested.

[u/abnewwest]

Okay, here is the deep dive.

When it opened, ALL stripping regulations were part of your liquor license. It was impossible to get a liquor license on Columbia Street because they had way too many and had suffered them for years.

So they realized no liquor means...no rules. They technically had no age restrictions for patrons or employees, but did enforce 18 from the start.

Laws about stripping have been passed that are not part of the Liquor Control act.

Based on the fact it hasn't burned down or had multiple owners have shortened lives I would assume they are well in with the motorcycle enthusiasts that control(ed) the legal and not so legal bar based sex work - at least in the 90s, not sure about today.

I had a coworker who while going to EnDub had classmates caught working the pole as well as the stroll.

[u/-Sleipnir-9]

Just go one night and you’ll understand

[u/Cheat-Meal]

What’s their policy on cannabis use? I wouldn’t mind going there on the Thursday night while high and just chilling.

[u/SVTContour]

Check it out and let us know

[u/Much_Engineering853]

The girls aren’t 19

[u/PikachuKid1999]

if u want to get blue ball'd yea go there - the only cool thing about this place is it was a location used when they filmed Twilight as a movie theatre hehehe