A Texas strip club was allowed to open its doors after a confrontation with cops — who had threatened its owner with arrest if he didn’t remain closed amid coronavirus lockdown measures.
Governor Greg Abbott had issued an order allowing certain businesses to reopen at a 25 percent capacity, including restaurants, retailers and shopping malls.
Houston jiggle joint Club Onyx, which claims it is a full-service restaurant and not just a strip club, decided to open its doors at 12 a.m. Friday— believing it fits the parameters of Abbott’s directive, the Houston Chronicle reported.
But cops raided the club within an hour of opening, threatening owner Eric Langan with arrest if he didn’t shut down.
Langan instead stayed open until about 4 a.m., filing a federal lawsuit alleging the raid violated his civil rights, the newspaper reported.
The Houston Health Department lists Club Onyx as a full-service restaurant, according to the Chronicle. However, the club’s liquor license labels it as a sexually oriented business.
Judge Vanessa Gilmore issued a temporary court order Friday allowing Club Onyx to resume business and preventing cops from arresting employees.
Langan and Club Onyx could not be reached for comment. However, a post on the club’s Facebook page earlier in the week indicated the business would open and would be following strict sanitary measures.
“Seating will be limited as we will be following state guidelines and health recommendations of social distancing. We will have sanitary stations set up with hand sanitizer and all staff will be practicing the strictest sanitary guidelines,” the club wrote. “Please make reservations online ASAP and no parties over 6 people can be booked.”
The strip club has since posted several photos of its food menu items on Instagram — and strippers have posted their appreciation for customers who visited.
“Ty @clubonyxhouston for a good night. I appreciate our customers who came and enjoyed their food at our restaurant while tipping our live entertainment. Y’all really turnt up tonight,” wrote @thatcutiewithabooty_kim_ijaya on her Instagram Stories.