Buffalo Rising Online

Must be x-rated week. Sunday's Buffalo News reported that Family Video filed plans to build a video store at Martino's TV on Hertel. Buffalo News reported that Family Video didn't indicate whether this store would rent "mature content" videos as does some of their other area stores. However, plans showed a backroom that led the reporter to speculate that Family Video expected to sell "mature content" videos. Family Video would be less than 250 feet from St. Margaret's.

As long as it's kept Classy and it's patrons kept on eye on, why not?

You would think that churches would want to be near the people needing 'conversion' (such as those attending a girly show) Aside from that, I can not understand what the government's interest is in this matter. What right does the government have in determining what goes near a church? Seems to me the constitution has some bearing here.

So, a regular bar was okay - but a gay bar isn't? Sounds like discrimination to me.

tudor - I could be wrong but I think the conversion he was referring to was having an "adult" type of longe, Not the gay bar. I don't think there was an malice or discrimination here.

Marcella's hasn't ruined the 600 block and I don't think Tabu will kill the 700 block. Though the residents upstairs might not be crazy about the idea (or the City for that matter). Perhaps Main Street from Chippewa to Allen Street will become Buffalo's "Lavender District." I say, bring on the men!!!! WootWoot.

Blu Mirage was a great bar when it opened... Trendy upscale... Got a little ruff over the past year and I stopped going

As far as the New bar going in - As long as things are kept tasteful and there isn't any riff raff, a exception should be granted

By the way, I am glad the Vernor/Peirce Arrow building was torn down... Much development going on at that site.

I am sure the residents living above will view a strip joint much less appealing than a bar. I would guess the greatest opposition to this rezoning would be made by the residents. I was under the impression that Buffalo did not allow strip joints downtown regardless of proximity to churches. Is that incorrect?

Its not a strip joint lol its called a dragshow and its not anymore risque than say those fat girls dancing against the walls at Bayou or anywhere on Chippewa for that matter haha. On another note I think this location is perfect for such a venue and should be praised by city officials as a perfect fit. Marcellas, Blu Mirage(Tabu), the Undergound, Roxys, Miss Kittys, Cathode Ray, Adonias, Q, and Fugazi as well as several other gay friendly establishments along the way constitute buffalos burgeoning gay district. If properly marketed this area could potentially bring big bucks into this area and put Buffalo on the map as being a LGBT welcoming tourism destination. The Allentown neighborhood is already known as Buffalo's gay village now if only we can build on what we have and make it even better. We have such an ugly subway station at Allen...I wonder if any of our elected leaders have thought up the idea of making that the LGBT designated friendly subway station as has been done in Montreal? But that is a whole other story...especially knowing how our city works... if only our leaders would wake up. I wonder what will happen to Marcellas if this new venue steals all their people away... I for one think Tabu will be a huge hit and an enormous upgrade for the gay community from the current gay club Marcellas.

If done well it would literally bring in thousands of people and dollars to the area. Most of them you can't even tell what they are from the outside anyhow. This isn't going to be New Orleans with grungy bourbon street dive. If they do anything like the Blu Mirage it could actually be good and make that are seem safe at night because there will be lots of activity.

B. Wouldn't one of those old now vacant churches make for a killer strip club? I can't be the only person who have thought of this...

I guess I misunderstood the article, Joshua. I really didn't know that it was going to be a strip club or something like that - I thought it was just going to be a gay bar/dance club.

You people don't know how to read!

I love the idea of a church to gay bar upscale conversion. Too bad Buffalo doesn't have a large enough gothic population with enough cash to support it. But, it need not be a gothic club. Wouldn't an apse make a killer stage?

I guess I dont know how to read lol...im confused as to why they would change formats to a gay ultralounge (Tabu) just to change formats again to a strip club is that what is going on here?

I guess I dont know how to read lol...im confused as to why they would change formats to a gay ultralounge (Tabu) just to change formats again to a strip club is that what is going on here?

Blu Mirage started as an upscale club, really went downhill fast and now wants to be a strip club, yup, that'll upgrade the area in a big way and help condo/loft development... As to Allentown being a gay destination for tourists, you for real? Even most of the well healed gays of this town shy away from Allen and head up to Toronto on the weekend...

Thats true about Toronto but I know many gays that come down from Toronto to go out in Buffalo...If we put some money into the area yes i think it could bring some much needed tourist dollars into the area...Buffalo does not have that bad of a reputation in So. Ontario many actually love our city.

And if we could duplicate even 1/10 of what the Toronto area has in terms of its gay village we could reap many rewards and benefits by bringing in much needed tourism dollars to the city.

OK, as I understand it. TABU is a gay bar. They want to get a license that allows them to hold drag shows. They are not changing to a straight stripper bar. For now, the Canadian ballet remains in Canada. I never went to Blu Mirage but if that pic above is any indication it looks like it was cool/hip space. Too bad it didn't make it. Buffalo is what Buffalo is...right up there with Cleveland competing for the gay tourist dollar.... no bar is going to change that.

Calling people that come to Buffalo from Southern Ontario tourists is like saying people from Ft. Worth are tourists when they visit Dallas..... Sometimes, even when you live in Dallas, you go to Ft. Worth for dinner or a night of hee-haw fun and vice versa. It definitely doesn't make you a tourist even if you get so smashed you have to stay in a hotel.

it is/was a very cool space, I admit to that. we were totaly excited when it first opened. Also, we have heard underground that it was to turn into a gay bar which is better than a strip club, so i hope that is correct as we could use a NICE/HIP club to go to for a change.

I agree with you both. My point was that Buffalo tourism officials should do a better job of marketing our city outside of the area and yes i know we are on par with cities like cleveland and pittsburgh which gives all the more reason why we should be marketing to the gays in these cities as well as canada. I agree with you Martin as well that this will be a very hip club for teh buffalo gay community to call their own much better than Pittsburgh or Cleveland have to offer.

I think you people are misreading this article (not everyone) ---

EXOTIC CABARET *not equal* to strip club.

Cabaret: 2 a: a restaurant serving liquor and providing entertainment (as by singers or dancers) : nightclub b: the show provided at a cabaret

Exotic: 3: strikingly, excitingly, or mysteriously different or unusual

@ a gay bar... READ: DRAG SHOWS

Men impersonating women in a drag show is hardly a strip tease. Drag is meant to be a an over-exaggeration for comedic and entertainment effect. Ever notice how they're makeup/outfits/hair is WAY over the top.

Think: Dolly Parton. lol -- she's been quoted as saying "If I hadn't been born a woman; I'd a been a drag queen"

At anyrate; if they keep it nice; upscale... there's no reason why they shouldn't be there. Marcella's went downhill years ago. Cobalt was great while it was open at 153 Delaware; unfortunately it had idiot owners that couldn't make up their minds whether they wanted it to be a gay bar or straight bar.

The previous owners I've met; didn't particularly care for -- but know one of (I believe the current ones) he's worked at Marcella's for years -- good luck to him in this venture!!!!

The good citizens of Buffalo supported four strip clubs in Fort Erie (pop. 29,000) for many years. Factor in the rising Canadian dollar, and much more stringent policies at the border, and you can at least see where someone would think there is some pent up demand for a lap dance or two in WNY.

Exactly my point Tommy. I hope this works out to be a good place and I hope people come to Buffalo to go out or whatever! There is enough to do to attract the folks that live a 2-4 hour drive away and get them to stay for the weekend. I sort of doubt that this one bar helps that strategy but hey if it helps I am for it.

by exotic caberet one would think that dita von-teese would be stripping down to her birthday suit along with a cast of sensual and erotic dancers. Not the case. its simply a gaybar/lounge/club trying to boast a dragshow, not a strip show. men lipsinking to music dressed as divas. Have we forgetten that the longest running show in the theatre districs history is "Lifes a Drag" 1.5 blocks south at Club Mmarcella. The city would be cuting off its nose to spite its face if it impared the grownth of yet another local business. and i do agree with other other comments that the government should have no bearing on what goes near a church, of teh parish doesnt like it they can take up thier american right to protest.

maybe itll be a male strip show along with drag shows whatever the case I dont think a churches should be a factor in any developments in this city... I mean just look at the way they discard of their churches. I think this law needs to be changed

"I guess I dont know how to read lol...im confused as to why they would change formats to a gay ultralounge (Tabu) just to change formats again to a strip club is that what is going on here? " - Downtownjunkie

They didn't just randomly decide to switch formats. The Blu Mirage was basically evicted from the Sidway building because the noise got so bad for the residents. Plus, the residents and neighbors were terrified with a hundred thugs outside the building at any given time on Fri & Sat nights. There were fights and drugs and guns, etc... If anyone wasn't familiar with the Blu Mirage over the last couple months it basically became a rap/hiphop club.

sorry Downtownjunkie, I misread your post. I answered a question you didn't ask haha. I was in Spot Coffee today and saw fliers for the new "Tabu" club where they refer to themselves as a "ultra gay" lounge/club...I didn't see anything on their flier about being a strip club.