Watusi II is for sale. What would you like to see there?

**seand** · 04-11-2012, 07:57 PM

Just out of curiosity I wonder how hard it is to get a liquor license for a bar you purchase at sherrif's sale. Somebody was telling the key is getting zoning, so its a good purchase to buy a place thats already zoned as a bar, that even if you have that purchasing another liquor license is just a matter of money, but legally, relatively easy. Thats potentially a great location for the right operator.

**fuzzycraig** · 04-13-2012, 02:01 PM

This article is an encouraging development and I think the City Howl team did a great job with it. I'm encouraged, but skeptical, particularly, in light of this article that the sheriff sale will actually go through.

In the meantime, it's important to continue pursuing other means. At the very least, please keep calling 911 for noise complaints, drug sales, drunks smashing their cars into things, etc. And make sure that when you do call, you give the bar's address. That's 232 S. 45th. Address is how these things get cataloged and ultimately how cases get made against nuisance establishments. No need to be shy about contacting the nuisance bar task force at the DA's office either.

**annie** · 04-13-2012, 02:07 PM

Also: HIDE - Liquor Control Enforcement: Reporting Violations

**ArcticSplash** · 04-13-2012, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by annie

Yep. Years ago the New Third World got cited by the PLCB for its Ladies' Night having male strippers that did full nudity. The report was hilarious - a couple times the undercover PLCB officer couldn't even get inside the place was so packed.

I daydream about the owners of someplace like Johnny Brenda's buying New Third World but wonder if the neighborhood cranks would oppose something like that. Clearly the current situation with pee buckets(!) is not good. You should report that (I imagine this would fall into the category of "other").

What's wrong with full frontal male nudity?

It's an institution in Montreal.

**seand** · 04-13-2012, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by ArcticSplash

What's wrong with full frontal male nudity?

It's an institution in Montreal.

Well besides not having the proper zoning, etc., etc. the problem was mostly as annie noted actually that it was so crowded with no fire escape, crappy eletrical, plywood over the windows, no alarms - you get the point. Thursdays nights were very popular with ladies in terms of parking around Cedar Park I do remember.

Hey who was state rep when New 3rd World first got its after hours license?

**annie** · 04-13-2012, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by seand

Hey who was state rep when New 3rd World first got its after hours license?

Extended hours food permit, not an after hours licence. Liquor sales still end at the same time.

**seand** · 04-13-2012, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by annie

Extended hours food permit, not an after hours licence. Liquor sales still end at the same time.

Yes I know thats the law. I also know they are supposed to have fire exits and windows. There are no actual after hours permits for booze. Besides, everybody knows you go to the 3rd World at 3 AM for the ample offerings from the kitchen. They are known for their food, right? Actually, has anyone heard of someone ordering food there, ever?

**annie** · 04-13-2012, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by seand

There are no actual after hours permits for booze.

I thought you were implying it got a club license.

**seand** · 04-13-2012, 03:10 PM

Anyway, if you, Arctic Splash, wanted to re-do 3rd World Lounge as a male go-go club, I'm quite sure there would be some zoning hurdles but I'm also pretty sure it would still be an improvement over what we have now.

**Ptolemy** · 04-14-2012, 11:41 PM

If there has to be a bar on that corner, I would like to see a nice, quiet, elegant, tasteful GAY bar there. Maybe a piano bar, where you can hear Broadway show tunes and Cole Porter songs. Something like Tavern On Camac.

I'm tired of having to schlepp to Center City's Gayborhood.

**seand** · 04-16-2012, 10:11 AM

I noticed going past Watusi II that they have the big industrial vent for a kitchen (which they don't seem to use much). I was thinking a nice quiet brew pub kind of place with decent food could do quite well at that location. Lord knows Local 44 often seems really, really busy.

Not that that kind of place couldn't in theory host a weekly piano bar event. Seems easily compatible and would probably do well as an event night. I think neighbors would probably prefer a place to sit down and get decent food with a drink, than another "drink to get drunk" kind of bar, of any variety.

**boognish** · 04-16-2012, 11:09 AM

Anyone want to hazard a guess as to how much it would run to bring that place up to code?

I'm guessing it's close to prohibitive.

**Greg Avakian** · 04-16-2012, 11:12 AM

I'd love to see that Sean. As much as the owners of local 44 hate the term 'gasto-pub' (yeah, it's a bit pretentious), that would fit perfectly on that corner.

Add some acoustic gypsy jazz, blues, and other music -having a pianist and show/songbook tunes would be fun too. there are 2 floors that are very open as I recall so one floor could be music, the other could be dining.

Gay or straight makes no diff to me, but as much as (I think?) we have a sizable gay community in W.Philly, I don't know about any places that are really openly welcoming to the gay community here. Maybe it's just because I'm straight and I'm not aware, but I think that is missing, yes?

**fuzzycraig** · 04-16-2012, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by boognish

Anyone want to hazard a guess as to how much it would run to bring that place up to code?

I'm guessing it's close to prohibitive.

From a totally layman's perspective, I would guess 200K-400K to make it into something safe, attractive, and welcoming. I have no idea if that would be worth anybody's while. But I hope so. Certainly wasn't worth it with the 630K price tag, but at Sheriff's sale?

I love some of the suggestions on this page, and with the proper sound management (ie a back door not made of splintered wood that actually stays closed) I'd welcome them all. It would be great if someone like Fergie would consider the place.

**helix** · 04-16-2012, 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by fuzzycraig

From a totally layman's perspective, I would guess 200K-400K to make it into something safe, attractive, and welcoming. I have no idea if that would be worth anybody's while. But I hope so. Certainly wasn't worth it with the 630K price tag, but at Sheriff's sale?

I love some of the suggestions on this page, and with the proper sound management (ie a back door not made of splintered wood that actually stays closed) I'd welcome them all. It would be great if someone like Fergie would consider the place.

every time see Fergie I beg him to do this in West Philly!

**the_wza** · 04-17-2012, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by Greg Avakian

I don't know about any places that are really openly welcoming to the gay community here. Maybe it's just because I'm straight and I'm not aware, but I think that is missing, yes?

Elena's is pretty gay friendly, FWIW.

**seand** · 04-17-2012, 03:06 PM

Yeah, I see flyers for women's oriented dance nights upstairs pretty frequently.

I'm probably outside my wheel house here but it seems like while there are a number of events around the neighborhood for women, say 35 and under, but that there has always been a significant number of men in the neighborhood ages 35 and up who don't have events in the neighborhood oriented for them. So we may be talking about two really different demographics here.

**ACretin** · 04-17-2012, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by thoth

The third world lounge is that x1000, and that's bounced back from the brink a couple of times now. He must know somebody. Can we collectively organize money to put these to sheriff sale?

I belive the owner is a donor for Jannie Blackwell, the wig of the west. Does that explain why he could reopen? It's amazing what you can get for $500 bucks or so every year or so.

**fuzzycraig** · 04-17-2012, 05:48 PM

Originally Posted by ACretin

I belive the owner is a donor for Jannie Blackwell, the wig of the west. Does that explain why he could reopen? It's amazing what you can get for $500 bucks or so every year or so.

It was $1000, technically a few weeks after the bar reopened. I'm sure it didn't hurt, although it's difficult to draw a straight line between the councilwoman and the bar's seeming immunity to all city laws and regulations. If it is the case she fixed things for him, then the fact that $1000 can let you off the hook for $60K in back taxes is beyond unfortunate, it's embarrassing to the entire city.

My hope would be that, since the City Howl piece has highlighted the donation in conjunction with the bar reopening, Jannie will be less likely to help Noel out in the future. It would be nice if that effect would extend to other dead beats and absentee landlords, but I'm not holding my breath. It's amazing when you start to dig into these campaign finance lists how many donors don't live in the city. Just looking after their investments.

**annie** · 04-17-2012, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by thoth

The third world lounge is that x1000, and that's bounced back from the brink a couple of times now. He must know somebody. Can we collectively organize money to put these to sheriff sale?

New Third World got current on its taxes again. Now might be the time to bring its various violations to the attention of L&I.