Swinging Richards, Famed Atlanta Gay Strip Club, Is Set to Close

After 30 years of operation, the nationally known Swinging Richards bar is closing according to an announcement by the gay male strip club. 

"We want to thank the countless people who have come and have been entertained by your boys over the years,"  They wrote to Instagram in a message confirming that the spot would close on January 15, 2022. "You all have meant the world to us for giving so much support over the last three decades.

"Our boys will miss your friendships, your kindness, your participation and seeing your smiling and excited faces especially those that frequented us," they continued. "We love our regulars. You all made us world renowned and there is no thank you that could ever show enough gratitude.

"As we prepare to bring this landmark to an end, please friends past and present come by over the next few weekends and visit with us one last time. We would love to see you and we are quite sure our boys would as well…"

The spot has not confirmed why they have closed.

Over the last two years amid the ongoing global pandemic gay bars and clubs have closed across the nation largely due to lockdown. The lockdown in Atlanta was less stringent and much shorter than many other U.S. cities. 

Increasing rents have also caused the shuttering of other venues. The Atlanta Eagle closed its doors in 2020. Last month, the owners said they are still looking to find a new home. 

Swinging Richards was a fully nude gay male strip club that was open to all but catered to gay men.  In 2018, the parent company of the spot was sued and ordered to pay former dancers $800,000 — this was because the business had dancers working for tips only while paying various fees to the club. In 2019 that same company filed for bankruptcy protection.

In 2011, Swinging Richards expanded to Miami, first with a location on North Miami Beach. They moved, from that location to Pompano Beach, allegedly because of discrimination from city officials. That location closed in 2015. Matt Colunga, who opened those off shoots, started Johnsons, his own all-male strip club, in Wilton Manors in 2017. 

In 2017, All Male, All Nude premiered which was a documentary about Swinging Richards told mostly through the perspective of the performers. A follow up was done later titled All Male, All Nude: Johnsons about the Johnsons club. Both films were made by Gerald McCullouch