LAKEVIEW — Some neighbors are trying to stop a Florida-based male strip club from opening in Lakeview because they’re concerned about the company’s policies for hiring dancers and excluding female customers.
More than 1,000 people have signed an online petition to stop Johnson’s Chicago from opening at 954 W. Belmont Ave., formerly home to Berlin Nightclub. The petition also aims to prevent Johnson’s from participating in Chicago’s Pride Parade in June.
Daniel Perez, CEO of the nonprofit DelRey Productions that advocates for queer artists, launched the petition after looking at Johnson’s Chicago owner Matt Colunga’s social media activity and learning the business refused to hire a male dancer because of his appearance.
“Moreover, their policy requiring women to be escorted by men within their premises perpetuates harmful stereotypes, and promotes for toxic masculinity — this is simply unacceptable in today’s society where we strive for equality,” Perez’s petition said.
Colunga has asked on social media where he can recruit “straight muscle boys” for the club. In one Facebook post, he uploaded a video he took of a man at a grocery store, adding the comment, “Is it bad to hire at Publix.”
Colunga didn’t respond to requests for comment, but defended his club policies in an interview with the Windy City Times.
Organizers plan to attend a meeting 10 a.m. May 15 at the East Lakeview Chamber of Commerce, 3208 N. Sheffield Ave., to share their concerns about business practices at Johnson’s Chicago.
No permits have been issued to Johnson’s Chicago and no license applications have been submitted, according to Ald. Bennett Lawson’s office (44th). Johnson’s Chicago was approved to march in the upcoming Pride Parade, according to a post on the business’ Facebook page. Parade organizers didn’t respond to a request for comment.
“If all else fails, we want to at least educate the community about the questionable business practices and discrimination that occurs there,” Perez said. “There’s a lot of unanswered questions about their hiring practices and we don’t want to support a business that discriminates against the LGBTQ+ community and women.”
Lux Filler, who dances professionally in Northalsted, said he messaged Johnson’s Chicago to inquire about dancing at the club after Colunga tried to recruit him in person at another club, Filler said.
Johnson’s later rejected Filler due to his appearance, according to Facebook messages Filler posted online that were widely shared.
“We only hire the best guys,” Johnson’s said in a message to Filler. “If you wanna work for us, I suggest fighting up some, hit the gym a little harder.”
“I’ve been told ‘no’ in many ways, but I’ve never been body shamed or judged like that or told I didn’t fit the cut,” Filler said in an interview with Block Club. “Clubs usually say ‘no’ in a more professional way, and it’s as simple as that. There’s no need to bring personal opinions into it. I’m not the only dancer who’s gotten a response like this. I’m just vocal about it.”
In an interview with Windy City Times, Colunga apologized to “everyone he offended with the Facebook message.”
But Filler told Block Club Colunga hasn’t reached out to him personally.
“I’m to the point because I can’t sugarcoat anything in this industry,” Colunga told the LGBTQ+ newspaper. “I’m very strict when I run a club and part of that is I can be blunt. Nobody wants to hear they don’t make the cut and I’m sorry, but that’s just my business model.”
Johnson’s has two locations in Florida, and there are plans to open another in Atlanta. The clubs offer “delicious cocktails, gorgeous male dancers and great music,” according to Johnson’s website.
Johnson’s doesn’t allow women inside unless they’re accompanied by a man. Colunga told Windy City Times the policy ensures women don’t overtake the space since it’s intended for gay men.
“Maybe people aren’t holding him accountable for this kind of stuff in Florida, but this behavior won’t fly in Chicago,” Perez said. “How can you even identify who’s a woman or what that means, when people should be allowed to present themselves however they want? That policy just causes more discrimination against our very diverse community.”
Johnson’s Chicago would take over the storefront left by the iconic Berlin Nightclub, which closed in November 2023 after 40 years. Berlin was known for fostering an inclusive environment and celebrating “misfits,” performers and regulars told Block Club after its closure.
“I think people are taking it so hard because we used to have a space like Berlin, where we got to be silly and weird and crazy,” said Graham Hawley, who helped organize the petition. “It’s jarring to think that it’ll become a place where only certain kinds of bodies are glorified. It just seems antiquated.”
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