THE ANATOMY OF A TOPLESS BAR LAWSUIT

Business owner: Erotic dancing ‘viable’ in Destin
November 29, 2008 - 10:13 AM
William Hatfield

A businessman who wants to become the first topless bar owner in Destin says it is “absolutely a business just like anything else.”

“Well, maybe not like anything else,” said Terry Stephenson, who is operating the Oasis on Mountain Drive. “But if the biggest issue you have to deal with is that an adult, 21 and over, wants to go to a club, watch girls dance, and have a drink … Surely there are other big issues to deal with than what an adult does in his spare time.”

Stephenson and his attorneys recently filed a First Amendment lawsuit in federal court alleging that the city of Destin is infringing on the bar’s right “to offer nude-dance entertainment.”

“Ultimately, I feel like the erotic dancing format is a commercially viable situation in Destin. So that’s pretty much what I’m gonna pursue,” he said.

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To read the entire lawsuit, click here.

Destin to review 'adult entertainment' ordinances

November 17, 2008

Fraser Sherman

Now that Destin has received its first request in at least a decade to open a topless bar, the city must review the rules governing "adult entertainment," City Councilor Dewey Destin says.

“We probably need to review those to bring them up to snuff on what the current status of the law is," the councilor said at Monday's council meeting. The council endorsed the idea unanimously.

Rocky Griffith, who owns the Oasis in Destin/Thai Delights property on Mountain Drive, has applied for a business license to open a topless bar there. City officials say the zoning at that spot doesn't allow adult entertainment, though Griffith could request a zoning change.

Section 3-2 of Destin's ordinances, which governs adult entertainment, is 20 years old. It prohibits nudity in bars, night clubs and any business "which sells alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises." The ban includes showing the female breast "below the top of the areola" and any exposure of genitals or buttocks.

City Manager Greg Kisela said the city would review the rules and report back.

For a play-by-play from Monday night's meeting, click here.