CINCINNATI, OH — Men and whom who enjoy a frosty beer, fruit ornamented cocktail, or glass of wine while admiring the naked form of exotic dancers will have to leave the state of Ohio in order to satisfy their combo craving, thanks to a Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling.Instead, clubs must choose between two of society’s favorite sins to legislate: booze and boobs.
Not content to deny dancers the option between topless and fully nude, the court determined that the presence of any alcohol on premises requires full coverage on the part of any performers, staff, or customers. In other words, if the breasts come out, the booze must vanish.
According to The Columbus Dispatch, the federal appellate court on Friday upheld a contested Ohio Liquor Control Commission regulation that barred strip clubs from offering alcohol and any establishment that serves alcohol from allowing nude or sexual behavior.
A group of Cleveland strip club owners challenged the law, which states that “An establishment holding a liquor permit may not knowingly or willfully allow nudity or sexual activity on its premises.” Although they won in U.S. District Court in Cleveland during 2004, the case was appealed by the state attorney general’s office.
Assistant Attorney General, Elise Porter, told the Dispatch that an injunction had been issued by the federal court, which kept the state from enforcing the law while the matter was pending. It is unknown how soon the state will renew enforcement efforts.
