New Darwin strip club set to open after more than 12 month dry spell in former sin city

Darwin’s first operational strip club in more than a year is set to soon open its doors early. It comes more than 12 months after both of Darwin’s strip clubs shut their doors.

Fantasy Lounge co-owner Emma Reese with entertainers Kylie and Tayla Moore. Picture: Che Chorley Picture: Che Chorley

• Clothed until further notice: Darwin’s standing as sin city laid bare as all strip clubs close down

DARWIN’S first operational strip club in more than a year is set to open its doors early next month, getting adult entertainers hit hard by the pandemic back into work in time for a cracking dry season of trade.

Fantasy Lounge, which is co-owned by former adult entertainer Emma Reese, is set to have its grand opening on Friday June 4 – more than 12 months after both of Darwin’s strip clubs, The Honey Pot and Sinsations, shut their doors.

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Ms Reese founded Adult Entertainment Agency Territory Showgirls last year, which does travelling shows to venues around Darwin as a way of adapting to the impact COVID-19 had on the industry. However, Ms Reese said she and her partner had always had dreams of opening their own venue.

“It was always a plan to expand and open a gentleman’s club in the Territory. The opportunity arose about six months ago and my partner and I pursued it,” she said.

“We both enjoy the lifestyle up here and have been living and working in the Territory for a number of years.

Fantasy Lounge co-owner Emma Reese with entertainers Kylie and Tayla Moore. Picture: Che Chorley

“We are both passionate about hospitality and the work it provides among local Territorians, not just entertainers but local bar staff, DJs and security.”

Ms Reese said the venue would provide a “safe working environment that is highly monitored for girls in the industry to work out of”.

“The opening of a new venue in the Northern Territory will ultimately create jobs for adult entertainers both locally and from interstate but also to local hospitality workers,” she said.

With plenty of tourists in the Top End for dry festival holidays, Ms Reese said they were preparing for the club to go gangbusters.

“We do expect a roaring trade as there are many tourists flooding the city this year. However, our main focus is building up a local client base and creating a fun, safe environment that people want to return to.” Fantasy Lounge is located above Discovery Nightclub on Mitchell Street.

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