5 ms·

Why starting this SF wine bar was ‘as tough as opening a strip club’

17 points by jseliger 3y ago

jseliger 3y ago
https://archive.ph/8AhOJ https://archive.ph/8AhOJ It's possible that wine bars, strip clubs, and all other light commercial uses should be equally easy to open.
wkat4242 3y ago
I never really understood why strip clubs are so popular in the US. The whole look but don't touch thing is kinda a niche for voyeurs. But I'd imagine most men would get bored quickly and want a real brothel where it's look + touch :) Here in Europe there's more of those and also live sex show places which are also less boring than a lady straddling a pole. I just don't really understand what makes these clubs so popular there. Is it a traditional thing?
- Guvante 3y ago
  Not everyone agrees that touching is an option. Be it legal, moral, or religious reasons it isn't uncommon for touching to be considered off limits but anything before that is a grey area.
- syspec 3y ago
  Because that's all there is. I'm not a fan of them myself, but in the example you listed you're comparing stuff that the US doesn't have and wondering why the thing the US does have is popular in the US.
  - wkat4242 3y ago
    They don't?? I've never been to the US but popular culture is pretty full of sex workers. I remember this documentary about a club called the bunny ranch or something. It was definitely not about rabbits. Or the "call girl" series and movies..
    - inemesitaffia 3y ago
      It's basically a documentary about the only place in the US where it's legal
- callalex 3y ago
  It starts to make more sense when you realize that strippers essentially work as unlicensed psychotherapists. Dancing is not what brings in regulars, it is attention and agreeable conversation that captures the recurring client base.
  - ProllyInfamous 3y ago
    "SWers don't fuck for a living; they lie for a living."
- pengaru 3y ago
  Strip clubs and illicit drugs go hand in hand IME. It's not strictly a look and don't touch scene. Sure there's plenty of that going on, but it's kind of a front for the real business that gets discussed once you're in private and deemed trustworthy.
  - ProllyInfamous 3y ago
    >it's kind of a front for the real business that gets discussed once you're in private and deemed trustworthy. Atlanta, Houston, NYC, Miami, Vegas have all essentially legalized clubs into brothels (whether on-site or outside-club).
greatgib 3y ago
The article and its title are a little bit deceptive. They tried to give the impression that wine bars are like in an unjustified and incorrect category by comparing to "strip clubs". But lost in the article is the real reason: They also illustrate challenges that are specific to the Mission District, born of legislation that was meant to fight gentrification. In 2018, the city capped the number of bars and restaurants that can operate in the neighborhood at 167. So the rule goals are there to fight gentrification, and not a log of things are as hipster as a "wine bar" in my opinion.

17 points by jseliger 3y ago

https://archive.ph/8AhOJ https://archive.ph/8AhOJ It's possible that wine bars, strip clubs, and all other light commercial uses should be equally easy to open.

wkat4242 3y ago

I never really understood why strip clubs are so popular in the US. The whole look but don't touch thing is kinda a niche for voyeurs. But I'd imagine most men would get bored quickly and want a real brothel where it's look + touch :) Here in Europe there's more of those and also live sex show places which are also less boring than a lady straddling a pole. I just don't really understand what makes these clubs so popular there. Is it a traditional thing?

Guvante 3y ago
Not everyone agrees that touching is an option. Be it legal, moral, or religious reasons it isn't uncommon for touching to be considered off limits but anything before that is a grey area.
syspec 3y ago
Because that's all there is. I'm not a fan of them myself, but in the example you listed you're comparing stuff that the US doesn't have and wondering why the thing the US does have is popular in the US.
- wkat4242 3y ago
  They don't?? I've never been to the US but popular culture is pretty full of sex workers. I remember this documentary about a club called the bunny ranch or something. It was definitely not about rabbits. Or the "call girl" series and movies..
  - inemesitaffia 3y ago
    It's basically a documentary about the only place in the US where it's legal
callalex 3y ago
It starts to make more sense when you realize that strippers essentially work as unlicensed psychotherapists. Dancing is not what brings in regulars, it is attention and agreeable conversation that captures the recurring client base.
- ProllyInfamous 3y ago
  "SWers don't fuck for a living; they lie for a living."
pengaru 3y ago
Strip clubs and illicit drugs go hand in hand IME. It's not strictly a look and don't touch scene. Sure there's plenty of that going on, but it's kind of a front for the real business that gets discussed once you're in private and deemed trustworthy.
- ProllyInfamous 3y ago
  >it's kind of a front for the real business that gets discussed once you're in private and deemed trustworthy. Atlanta, Houston, NYC, Miami, Vegas have all essentially legalized clubs into brothels (whether on-site or outside-club).

greatgib 3y ago

The article and its title are a little bit deceptive. They tried to give the impression that wine bars are like in an unjustified and incorrect category by comparing to "strip clubs". But lost in the article is the real reason: They also illustrate challenges that are specific to the Mission District, born of legislation that was meant to fight gentrification. In 2018, the city capped the number of bars and restaurants that can operate in the neighborhood at 167. So the rule goals are there to fight gentrification, and not a log of things are as hipster as a "wine bar" in my opinion.