Across Tampa, businesses like restaurants, cafés and even records stores are adjusting to coronavirus closures by offering takeout and curbside service.
Turns out strip clubs in one of America’s most sinful cities can adapt, too.
On March 20, 50-year-old 2001 Odyssey—the one with the spaceship—went dark to protect customers and dancers from the novel coronavirus. Don Kleinhans, President of the joint, said he immediately checked to see about getting emergency funding only to walk away empty handed.
“At 2001 Odyssey we immediately agreed to conform with the Emergency Executive Order for closure of all Bars & Nightclubs statewide, within 24hrs of locking our doors, we found that the website we were directed to for application to the state to participate in emergency funding defined our establishment as Not Eligible,” Kleinhans wrote in a statement. “The state of Florida is mandating our closure but are not willing to assist us in any manner.”
So 2001—which once hired a dwarf to drop dollar bills on dancers from the ceiling, according to an intern—put the stage performances online via its website.
“This allows entertainers & DJ’s a method to continue some type of revenue and provide a service to our regular in person patrons who can now watch and tip from the safety of their own homes,” Kleinhans added.
Patrons wishing to support the club’s efforts can do so via 2001live.com from 9 p.m.-midnight EDT. Talk about telework.
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