Sin City Gentlemen’s Club: Comanchero-linked strip club announces grand reopening
A controversial Dandenong strip club which closed last year after being caught selling sex on the sly will reopen today, with police confirming a proscribed brothel declaration has been lifted. But they’ve promised to keep all eyes on the venue.
South East
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A notorious bikie-run strip club which doubled as an illegal brothel in Dandenong has announced on social media it will reopen its doors.
Sin City Gentlemen’s Club closed its doors last October after a magistrate found it had contravened the Sex Work Act.
The Comanchero-linked business was declared a proscribed brothel in the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on October 19.
The Langhorne St business was allowed to remain open but management weren’t permitted to sell, supply or allow the consumption of alcohol for 24 months.
Management pulled the pin on the operation the same day.
However, management, who could not be reached for comment, posted on Instagram that doors will reopen on February 27.
A former dancer, who did not wish to be named, told the Leader she and other dancers received a text which confirmed the venue would reopen.
The text also claimed management had “overturned the court order”.
Police successfully lodged an application with the court to declare the premises a proscribed brothel for 24 months.
This came after the Victoria Police’s Sex Industry co-ordination Unit had investigated the venue for being a “sex service provider”.
The business is also prohibited from providing sexual services and clients are prohibited from attending the premises for sexual services.
Patrons entering or leaving a proscribed brothel without a lawful purpose can incur imprisonment of up to 12 months.
Sin City’s Demirel Ametoglou’s application to rescind the proscribed brothel order was granted at the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on February 20.
A Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed Sin City was no longer a proscribed brothel and was again allowed to serve alcohol.
“In February this year, (the proscribed brothel) declaration was removed and replaced with a court order that outlined a number of conditions for the business and how it operates,” the spokesperson said.
“Police will continue to monitor the Langhorne Street business to ensure it is abiding by the conditions prescribed by the court.
“Victoria Police remains focused on the prevention of illegal sex work in order to protect workers and clients involved in these activities.”
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The controversial club has been plagued by problems in recent years.
In December 2016, two bouncers at the club were caught on camera bashing two patrons.
In March 2018, Sin City was one of several Comanchero-linked businesses jointly raided by the Echo taskforce, the National Anti-Gang Squad and Australian Federal Police.
That probe also entangled a legal firm, an accountancy business and a gym previously operated by operated by a Comanchero supremo.
The venue bills itself as Melbourne’s “premier tabletop dancing venue”.
Anyone who has information or suspects they know of an illegal brothel is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au