Intercourse, way of life membership closing doorways after being denied liquor licence – Winnipeg Free Press

A downtown-area intercourse and way of life membership that opened as a bathhouse 27 years in the past is about to shut, with the present proprietor citing excessive prices and a stymied bid so as to add a bar.

The X Club, initially Aquarius Bath House underneath earlier possession, will shut its doorways May 24 in a transfer that may seem to depart only one bathhouse remaining in Winnipeg.

“With the cost of running it and not being able to have that liquor revenue, it’s not financially feasible to continue,” mentioned X Club proprietor Jake, who requested to be recognized utilizing solely his first title.

The membership is situated at 457 Notre Dame Ave. within the Centennial neighbourhood, the place a city-approved plan doesn’t permit new “steam baths” or beverage rooms, or expansions of current ones.

Jake, who lives within the Toronto space, decried Winnipeg’s enterprise tax, which is calculated by making use of a tax levy price in opposition to an annual rental worth, as being unfair towards unbiased companies.

“The lack of support for small businesses, I’ve learned, in Winnipeg is very challenging,” mentioned Jake, whose property was not eligible for a tax credit score as a result of its assessed worth exceeded the town’s threshold.

Jake mentioned the membership’s two-storey constructing and parking zone have been offered to a neighbouring grocery retailer that plans to develop its footprint.

He mentioned 14 workers members, together with one who’s been employed for 20 years, might be laid off.

Aquarius operated for twenty-four years earlier than Jake bought the enterprise nearly three years in the past and rebranded as X Club to reflect a membership that he owns in Mississauga, Ont.

“Things have really opened up over the years and become more mainstream.”

Aquarius initially opened as a bathhouse for males earlier than welcoming others.

“It started when it was more behind the curtain and frowned upon, and when the queer community wasn’t as accepted,” Jake mentioned. “Things have really opened up over the years and become more mainstream.”

Aquarius had a checkered historical past. Two males died in a 2009 fireplace, which police mentioned was arson. Six years later, a person was discovered not responsible of two counts of manslaughter. A 2017 stabbing additionally made headlines.

Jake’s suburban Toronto membership is permitted to serve alcohol. He needed to do the identical after buying and rebranding Aquarius, envisioning a main-floor bar the place prospects may mingle in a “non-sexual” surroundings, or attend occasions or workshops about protected intercourse, BDSM or different matters.

The metropolis confirmed it acquired a improvement allow software in December. About 4 weeks later, Jake was knowledgeable a conditional use software was required, nevertheless it couldn’t be permitted attributable to coverage path within the West Alexander-Centennial neighbourhood’s secondary plan.

Implemented in 2008, the plan prohibits new or expanded steam baths and beverage rooms. At the time, residents believed the institutions had a damaging impression on the character and security of their group, the planning doc mentioned.

“We did advise the applicant on avenues for appeal. The applicant then withdrew their applications,” metropolis spokeswoman Deborah Bowes wrote in an e mail Wednesday.

Jake, who was upset, mentioned he determined to not enchantment as a result of it’s a pricey course of, and he didn’t assume it was value it. He additionally determined in opposition to relocating the membership.

Jake mentioned he plans to ship a letter to Mayor Scott Gillingham to stipulate his complaints in regards to the enterprise tax and the applying course of.

Colin Fast, a spokesman for the mayor, mentioned greater than half of companies pay no enterprise tax in any respect, and the tax price has been reduce in half previously 20 years.

“Winnipeg has worked hard to keep taxes competitive for small businesses,” he wrote in an e mail. “We’re open to looking at further changes to the business tax, including phasing it out over time, but that would require changes to provincial legislation.”

Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba spokeswoman Lisa Hansen mentioned an software for an age-restricted liquor service licence for the bathhouse accomplished a public discover interval in September 2024.

She mentioned the method requires an applicant to proceed their software inside a yr of a public discover, or to finish a brand new discover interval if a couple of yr has handed. A licence has not been issued.

“The misconception is you walk right in and it’s sex everywhere.”

Jake spent cash on renovations and upgrades, an architect and consultants after taking on the enterprise. He mentioned he “cleaned up” the membership, added or improved safety measures, and banned “nefarious” prospects to make it extra protected and welcoming.

Before it was taken offline, X Club’s web site described it as a “new age bathhouse” and “a haven for open-minded or curious people who want to explore pleasure in an exciting, inclusive, and safe environment.”

The membership has play and theme rooms, a “kink dungeon” within the basement, and a sauna. It holds occasions for “every gender and sexual interest,” the web site mentioned. Lockers and rooms can be found for lease at various charges.

“The misconception is you walk right in and it’s sex everywhere. It’s more community-focused for people who are in different, alternative lifestyles,” Jake mentioned.

“It’s a safe space for people to come to meet other people, to connect with and, yes, if they do want to take things further sexually, there are private rooms.”

There isn’t any gray space with respect to the legality of the membership or a bathhouse, Jake mentioned. He pointed to a 2005 Supreme Court of Canada ruling that discovered group intercourse and swinging performed privately by consenting adults don’t represent obscene or indecent behaviour, and such golf equipment aren’t frequent bawdy homes.

Bathhouses aren’t among the many enterprises that require a enterprise licence in Winnipeg.

It seems X Club’s impending closure will go away Adonis Men’s Spa as Winnipeg’s solely remaining bathhouse. Adonis opened on Main Street in 1972. It is considered Canada’s longest-running bathhouse in the identical location.

A publish on X Club’s social media accounts mentioned occasions will proceed to be held at numerous areas within the metropolis by totally different entrepreneurs.

“This is not just the closing of a venue — it’s the closing of a chapter filled with unforgettable memories, and the beginning of something new,” the publish mentioned.

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca