History of Burlesque in Lancaster County, NE
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Burlesque permeated not only the stages of the big metropolis, like New York City, but also graced the stages of small towns as well. Lincoln, Nebraska was no exception. This article surveys the history of burlesque in Lancaster County in chronological order.
1880s+
Funke's Opera House (1882-1902)

Funke’s Opera House was the first venue in Lincoln to host burlesque shows back in the 1880s. Burlesque came from Great Britain in the 1860s through Lydia Thompson’s British Blondes. The popularity of her troupe produced many copy cats under the name. Another famous troupe with a similar name was the Victoria Loftus British Blondes, who toured the United States in the 1880s.


In January 1879, the Loftus British Blondes appeared in Lincoln, one of the earliest instances of burlesque in Nebraska. In January 1882, the Funke’s Opera House had a program of “music, dancing, and mirth making” with the Loftus British Blondes.




In February of 1892, Funke’s Opera hosted the Paris Gaiety Girls Big Burlesque Company. The advertisements boasted 30 pretty chorus girls and the first American appearance of “Carita”, a “Character Danseuse.”

"Little Egypt" Performs in Lincoln, NE | 1899
Funke's Opera House was originally built as the Hallo Opera House in 1873, but after a fire in 1875, was rebuilt and renamed the Centennial in 1876. Frederick Funke bought the theater in 1882, renaming it the Funke Opera House or the Funke. Before it closed in 1902 it hosted a full course of talent on its stage. Tickets were 10 cents, 20 cents, and 30 cents.


Carmencita

Watch Carmencita dance here. Carmencita was recorded by Thomas Edison in 1894, which was his earliest motion picture.

Loie Fuller
Loie Fuller was an interpretive dancer that invented and perfected "The Serpentine Dance." She wore a silk dress with large flowing sleeves. Wooden canes were sewn into the sleeves to elongate her arms and allow for more flow of the fabric.


Little Egypt
In December 1899, patrons could see the operetta “Pearl of Pekin” at the Funke Opera House which featured a Chinese fan dance. The Nebraska State Journal noted, “The Chinese dress, manners and oddities, or rather the imitation and parody of the oriental manner, constitute the strength of the opera, and kept the audience in good humor.” Quite literally admitting appropriation of Chinese culture. Prices of tickets were 25, 50, and 75 cents and $1.00. Learn more about Little Egypt in Nebraska here.
The Funke Opera House closed in 1902 and the building converted to offices. It was later demolished in the 1940s.
1900-1920
The Oliver Theatre


December 1908, the Merry Maidens Burlesque Company appeared for two days at the Oliver Theatre, where they performed two burlesques: “Cafe Boulevard” and “At Coney Island.”

In September 1913, the musical comedy “September Morn” came to the Oliver Theater. A woman reported the production was unfit to show in Lincoln. This gossip got the morals police squad up in arms and several Christian preachers called upon the law to censor the show.

In December 1916, the “Midnight Maidens” Burlesque Review appeared at the Oliver. Tickets were 75 cents, 80 cents, and 25 cents for the night show. Ladies’ Matinees were held on Fridays and Saturdays for 25 cents a ticket. During WWI it was renamed the Liberty Theatre. Helon Byron starred in the "Midnight Maidens" show, pictured below.

The Lincoln Orpheum Theatre | 1913
The Orpheum Theatre in Lincoln hosted "The Girlie Girl Show" with Al Rauh called "The Honeymoon Trail". The theatre also presented "photo plays" or early motion pictures.

The Temple Theatre | 1917
Miss Charlotte Whedon hosted an artistic recital of dancers from the University School of Music at the Temple Theatre in March 1917. The recital had three group dances and ten solo dances. Although this was a recital of "classical dances" several early burlesque dances were performed such as an Egyptian dance, an "oriental monotonic moon dance", a bubble dance, and Chaminade's "La Coquette". Due to a dancer being absent from the show, the Hungarian dance was omitted.
1920s
The Fifty-Fifty Club
In December 1922, the Fifty-Fifty Social Club hosted a Christmas holiday party at the Lincoln Hotel. It was attended by 60 couples who were entertained by lots of dancing and singing acts. The prelude dance included 5 girls who danced 'the powder puff dance' and then Marjorie Corrington (Rosita Royce as a child) popped out of a huge powder box. She performed a solo dance and then powder puffs were handed out to the women patrons. For the last performance, Santa Claus entered and gave each couple sleigh bells which "the gentlemen tied to their partner's ankles."
"La Joie De Vie" Club
In May of 1922, the La Joie de Vie Club entertained 100 couples during a spring party at the Lincoln Hotel ballroom. A May Pole was placed in the center of the room. "Little Marjorie Corrington"(aka Rosita Royce) entertained the guests with a few interpretive dances, including her bubble dance. Marjorie danced behind a large yellow balloon with the words "La Joie De Vie" inscribed on it. She performed a "tambourine dance" and then handed out memorandum books to the ladies and cigarettes to the men attending.
The Sunset Party House

The Sunset Party House opened Friday May 4, 1923 on 7th and Washington streets. "What the Coconut Grove is to Los Angeles--The Amsterdam Roof to New York--The Sunset Party House becomes to Lincoln. The Serenaders were the house band which played every night except Sunday. Entrance to dances was 10 cents per person. The South Veranda Fountain was a 'special feature' providing car and table service. The House boasted lighted and guarded parking for up to a thousand cars. The House offered free Sunday afternoon concerts and Saturday afternoon "tea dances" from 2 to 5pm. The Sunset Party House was a popular place to dance and see floor shows during through the 1940s.
The Rialto Theatre | 1923


The Lincoln Theatre
Marjorie Corrington and her "players" performed at the Lincoln Theatre in the Spring of 1925. The advertisements called the act an "original dance classique." Though this is not considered a "burlesque show" at the time, I noted it because of Marjorie's acts, like her bubble dance, that were burlesque.
The Liberty Theatre


Lincoln Orpheum Theatre | 1926

The Orpheum Theatre's opening program of 1926 was a film called "Fig Leaves" with Olive Borden and on the stage performed the Portia Mansfield Dancers in an act called "The Garden of Girls". The troupe presented 15 solo dancers. Matinee tickets were 35 cents, night tickets were 50 cents, and children's tickets were just 10 cents.
Woman's Club Hosts Entertainment for Hospital Children

Marjorie Corrington performed for the children of the "Othopedic Hospital" on the evening of March 13, 1926. She performed a Hawaiian dance and the Charleston.
Protests Against Burlesque | 1927

In March 1927, a local women's group gathered outside a "local burlesque house". The theatre name not mentioned
The Cosmopolitan Club | 1928
On October 31, 1928, the Cosmo Social Club held their annual Halloween party at the Auto Club (location unknown). 60 couples attended the party where Marjorie Corrington (aka Rosita Royce) performed her specialty numbers, most likely her bubble dance. Learn more about Rosita Royce, who was born in Lincoln, here.

The Kosmet Klub | 1928
The Kosmet Klub, of the University of Nebraska, held an inter-fraternity ball at the Scottish Rite temple in February 1928. Three hundred couples attended the ball, which replaced the annual Panhellenic formal. The ballroom was decorated as a woodland scene with moss hanging from the ceiling. Fake stone lined the walls with pine trees. A large painting of the "queen of the forest" adorned one end. The columns were wrapped with brown paper, symbolizing tree trunks. Japanese lanterns provided ambient lighting in the space. An oriental dancer and two collegiate dancers danced for the audience. Singing acts were also presented. (Lincoln Nebraska State Journal. February 5, 1928)
The Display Men's Club | 1929
The Lincoln Display Men's club held its first annual dinner at the Lincoln Hotel in February 1929. The program of entertainment included dances from Irmanelle Waldo, Wilhemene Spraugue and Marjorie Corrington (Rosita Royce).
1930s
Nebraska Bottlers Annual Banquet | 1930
The Nebraska Bottlers' Association held an informal banquet at the Cornhusker Hotel in January 1930. It was attended by 84 members of the association. Entertainment for the evening included a boxing exhibition by twin sons of Frank Mills, songs and dance by the Slama Sisters, and a "Spanish dance" by Marjorie Corrington (Rosita Royce).
Y.M.C.A. Checker Tournament | 1932
The Y.M.C.A. checker tournament contestants were entertained at a dinner in Feburary 1932. The Y.M.C.A. glee club sang and Marjorie Corrington (Rosita Royce) performed an Indian dance.
Club Waldor | 1932
In March 1932, the Club Waldor hosted an all-star floor show featuring Marjorie Corrington (aka Rosita Royce) in a "specialty dance." Entry was $1 per couple.
The Lincoln Theatre | 1933


Nebraska Press Association 16th Annual Convention
The Nebraska Press Association held its 16th annual convention at the Cornhusker Hotel in February of 1933. The convention lasted three days but a banquet was held Thursday evening which featured dances by Blanche Ridnour and Marjorie Corrington (again, Rosita Royce).
The State Theatre | 1933
In October 1933, the State Theatre hosted Flo Ziegfeld's Rio Rita, 'the Eighth Wonder of the World!"

Lincoln's Nude Dance Scandal of 1935
On Saturday February 18, a “wild party” was held at a tavern in Lincoln which included drinking, gambling and a trio of ‘scantily clad’ dancers. Amen’s Tavern, located at No. 206 7th Street, was the venue in question after word got out it hosted a stag party for the Lincoln Machinists and Automotive Service Association. The party itself would’ve been enough to cause a stir with conservative Lincolnites, but the true scandal was actually WHO attended the party. Read more about the dance that shook Lincoln and its aftermath here.
The Lincoln Orpheum Theatre | 1933-1937

In October 1933, the Orpheum in Lincoln hosted Fay Baker, another famous fan dancer, in a "mammoth stage show!" Baker was billed, 'Featuring that new dance craze; Sally Rand's fan dance; interpreted by beautiful Fay Baker." Fay Baker was a fan dancer from Chicago and an previous Ziegfeld Folly. She performed acrobatic and tap dance numbers in addition to her ostrich fan dance. Learn more about Fay Baker and her extraordinary life in her performer spotlight here.

In February 1934, Rosita Royce performed live on the Orpheum stage. She was billed as "doing Sally Rand's Original Fan Dance." Royce performed 3 to 4 shows daily. After the live performances they screen was dropped and they showed "The Meanest Gal in Town" with Zasu Pitts. Matinee tickets were just 15 cents and the evening show was 25 cents.
In May 1935, the Orpheum hosted the stage show "Rhapsody in Rhythm." It featured 8 acts plus Rosita Royce. On the screen they showed "Our Daily Bread." Matinee and evening performances were 25 cents a ticket.

In August 1935, the Orpheum hosted Clifford Wayne's Girl Revue, direct from the Oriental Theatre in Chicago. Gene Gory, a Ziegfeld Follies Star, performed and Rosita Royce performed her newest dance, the Dove Dance.
In November 1936, the stage show "Casa Manana" performed at the Orpheum. An exotic dancer named "Yeva" presented her "sensational oriental dances." (The Nebraska Digest. November 19, 1936)
In March 1937, the Orpheum hosted the Three Stooges and direct from Hollywood, the Penthouse Follies--a Whirly-Girlie Show, with 6 acts. On the screen they showed "Time Out for Romance" with Claire Trevor and Michael Whalen.

In October 1937, the Orpheum hosted the stage show Bell's Original "Hawaiian Follies". The show was billed as "Tantalizing South Sea melodies...exotic native dancers! In Person!!" The production included performances by the Honolulu City Trio, "native harmony singers," Kana Loki performing the "modern hula" and Princess Leihe, "ceremonial dancer", along with Neki La Maka, a rhumba dancer. Baby Joy, "the Shirley Temple of Hawaii", and Aloha Lani, "all Nations' dancer," performed. On the screen they showed the Jones Family in "Hot Water."

Capitol Beach | 1935
The Capitol Beach was an amusement park in Lincoln around 10th and O streets. In 1935, they advertised free vaudeville shows, dancing girls, acrobats, and free talkies. Could burlesque have been on the stage there?

Lincoln Fair Grounds | 1938

1940s
Raids at the Liberty & Nebraska Theatres | 1939/1940
In March 1939 or 1940, the Liberty Theatre and Nebraska Theatre were raided for having 'obscene' shows. The cast members were detained and two dancing girls were held in jail all night. Both girls had to pay close to $400 in fines. One theatre manager was fined $75. He had just taken over management of the theatre the day the raids occurred. Eventually the girls were released and costumes changed in order to continue the shows. According to the Lincoln Journal Star, the cellophane dancer had to wear a pinafore and the fan dancer had to wear a "motherhubbard" dress or night gown.
1st Annual JayCee Stag Follies Show | 1940
In February 1940, the JayCee held a "Stag Follies" show at the chamber of commerce. The show was to be annual. It was entitled "A Quiet Evening in a Boiler Factory." The show was two hours long and was attended by 350 men from junior chamber of commerce of Beatrice, York and Omaha. The follies was specifically a "stag affair" and most humor was "smoking car type." A burlesque, or parody, was performed, "The Cain Family From CainTucky", by amateur actors of the JayCee.
The Kosmet Klub | 1940

The Kosmet Klub held their annual spring show in March 1940 at the University of Nebraska with entertainment help from Rosita Royce, the dove dancer. She assisted the "male pony chorus" with their dance routines. The Kosmet Klub's spring show was called "Ski Stealers." Rosita Royce performed her dove dance for the all male cast on a Friday evening and then helped the director choose the 'pony chorus'. "Ski Stealers" was a satire about the Russian-Finnish situation. The "Ski" was pronounced "She" in a "Finnish manner."
Women's Division of Chamber of Commerce Burlesque Show | 1940
In September 1940, the women's division of the Lincoln chamber of commerce produced a burlesque show for its fall opening show. 122 members attended. The burlesque was planned by Nim Louis Guile, Norman Carpenter, and Helen Boehmer. Hazel Rumbold wore a "tri-corn" display on her head (ears of corn arranged in a headpiece). Eleanor Kelly modeled a "Turkish towel creation". Francelia Stump and Patricia Brott appeared "in every variety of kitchen utensil and garden tool." After the burlesque show, Oz Black drew caricatures of every member in attendance. He also discussed the art of cartooning and caricature drawing.
The Stuart Theatre | 1940-1943

The Stuart Theatre showed the film "Dance, Girl, Dance" with Maureen O'Hara, Louis Hayward, and Lucille Ball in September 1940. The film explored behind the scenes of a "flashy girl show". The show was billed with burlesque dancers and a story of show girls "never told before!" It was adapted from a story by Vicki Baum. Time Magazine raved "It's TOPS in grand entertainment!" (Lincoln Journal Star. September 6, 1940)
In October 1943, the Stuart showed the film "Swing Shift Maisie" starring Ann Sothern and James Craig. The newspaper advertisement in the Lincoln Journal Star stated, "When that swing-shift ends... that's when romance begins! Get in the swing with Swing Shift Maisie."
The Turnpike | 1942
The Turnpike was a music hall. On Sunday October 4, 1942, it hosted Ted Lewis and his Orchestra Revue. It featured 33 entertainers and musicians including the Three Kane Sisters (vocal trio). It had three exotic dancers-- Lindsay, LaVerne & Betty. June Edwards performed a tap number and Audrey Zimm performed a contortionist act. Ballet dancers were Byron Kay and Louise Glenn. The "whirling sensation" was Gertrude Erdy.

The JOYO Theatre | 1943-1949
The JOYO Theatre presented the film "Lady of Burlesque" starring Barbara Stanwyck. The movie was based off the novel by Gypsy Rose Lee (another famous burlesque performer). They also showed a technicolor cartoon called "Fighting Freighters."
In December 1944, the JOYO showed "Casanova in Burlesque" featuring Joe E. Brown. They also showed a companion film called "Beauty Baits the Trap!" with June Havoc and Dale Evans. The last film of the evening was "Action in Arabia" with George Sanders, Virginia Bruce, and Gene Lockhart.
In February 1949, "Linda Be Good" with Elyse Knox, Marie Wilson, and John Hubbard-Gordon Richards. "Linda Be Good" is about a woman who joins a burlesque troupe to get new material for her comedy act. Elyse Knox starred in the title role, John Hubbard played her husband, and Marie Wilson played the burlesque queen who breaks Knox into the burlesque business.
The Lincoln Theatre | 1942
The Lincoln Theatre showed Hedy Lamarr and Walter Pidgeon in "White Cargo" in December 1942.

The Varsity Theatre | 1943-1949

The Varsity Theatre showed the "Lady of Burlesque" starring Barbara Stanwyck in July 1943. Tickets were 30 cents until 2:00pm.


Capitol Beach | 1946
A stag party was held on Monday September 16, 1946 at the Capitol Beach in Lincoln. The party was a fundraiser for the Drum & Bugle Corps to go to the national Legion convention in San Francisco. It featured a floor show from Kansas City that had previously performed at the 40 & 8 convention held previously that year. Veterans and the public were invited to the show. Tickets were $1 (tax included). Patrons could purchase tickets from any member of the Drum Corps or at the Legionnaire Club or the Union Pacific ticket office or anywhere with a sign that stated, "Stag Show Tickets for Sale Here." (Lincoln Veteran's Weekly. "Stag Party September 16." Page 1. September 6, 1946)
The Sunset Party House | 1942-1948
The Lincoln Legion staged a "stag party" on the evening of February 17, 1942 at the Sunset Party House. The party was a fundraiser to purchase cigarettes for the men leaving for service. The Post stated they needed a $1000 by the end of the year. Apparently, every group of soldiers are met at the depot by a committee and presented with cigarettes from the Legion and an apple or candy by the Auxiliary. The stag party was open to all Legion men and their friends. Tickets were just 50 cents a person.
The American Legion Drum & Bugle Corps Inc. sponsored another "stag party", this time at the Sunset Party House on April 20, 1948. Tickets were $1 with taxes included.

By August, the Legion had it's own "Stay Party chairman", Blondy Baughan. The purpose of this stag show was to raise funds to send the 40-man Drum & Bugle corps to the National Convention in New York City. A show from Kansas City by Jack Collins Productions was shown. The public was invited to the show, not just veterans and their friends. Tickets were $1.00 a ticket. Blondy stated, 'This is the best floor show have ever offered.' (Lincoln Veteran's Weekly. July 25, 1947)
A "stag festival" was hosted by the American Legion on April 20, 1948. This production was supervised by an 8-man committee to ensure its success. The committee was still run by Blondy Baughman. The proceeds of the festival were used to send the Drum Corps to the Legion National Convention in Miami. The festival was open to all members and their friends.
Theatre Guild | 1949
The Theatre Guild showed the film "Burlesque" starring Bert Lahr and Ann Sothern. The same evening they presented a radio adaptation of the first play presented on Broadway in 1927, "WOW".
1950s
The Lincoln Theatre | 1954
In August 1954, the Lincoln Theatre presented the film "The Valley of the Kings". This was advertised as "the first major production filmed in Egypt." The film stars Robert Taylor, as an archaeologist, Eleanor Parker as the "love interest", and Samia Gamal, as an exotic dancer. (Lincoln Journal Star. Ad for Valley of the Kings. August 1, 1954)
The Varsity Theatre | 1954

The Varsity Theatre showed the burlesque movie "Top Banana" on its screen in April 1954. The film appeared for only 4 days. It starred Phil Silvers, Rose Marie, Danny Scholl, and Judy Lynn. Music and lyrics were by Johnny Mercer.

1960s
The Royal Grove | 1964

Hillcrest Country Club | 1966
The Hillcrest Country Club produced a dinner-dance in May 1966. The theme was named "Night in a Cage." The special feature was go-go girls in cages "doing all the latest dances." (Lincoln Journal Star. "Go-Go Dances Planned." May 19, 1966)
Cornhusker Hotel | 1966
In May 1966, the Revelers Dance Club met at the Cornhusker Hotel for a dinner-dance. The main entertainment was go-go girls for the theme "Spring 'n Daisies." (Lincoln Journal Star. "Go-Go Dances Planned." May 19, 1966)
The Black Coach | 1967-1969

The Black Coach was located at 2340 South 10th Street in South Lincoln. It was a lounge/steakhouse with go-go dancers and liquor by the drink. It was built in 1965 for $400,000.
In July 1967, go-go dancer Ellen Whitney, who was 21 at the time, fell off the bar during her dance at the Black Coach. She was taken to the hospital for an ankle fracture. She was treated and released the same day.

After only three years of being opened, the club closed in April 1968, and by October, it was bought by a Colorado corporation. The purchase price was $300,000. Even though William E. Osborne had filed a liquor license. The operators of the Black Coach were taken to court the same month for not paying the loan on the property. They were ordered to pay the mortage holder $163,000.
Exotic Dance Classes | 1968
The City Recreation department of Lincoln sponsored public classes in the Fall of 1968. September 17, 1968 was the starting day for art, fashion and culture classes. They even offered "exotic" dancing classes. The advertisement stated, "You can learn the grace of the exotic dancers from the Orient beginning 8pm Thursday, September 19 at Center I." These classes were most likely closer to belly dancing than to striptease classes.
The Esquire Club | 1969
The Esquire Club hosted Ozel Turkbas, a famous belly dancer, on their stage in January 1969. (The Lincoln Star. "Lincoln at Night." January 19, 1969)



Penthouse Lounge | 1969-1970
The Penthouse Lounge was located at 2420 O Street. The Penthouse was frequently in the papers for complaints against go-go dancers. In October 1969, Helen Boosalis, a city council woman, stated she had received a call from someone objecting to the go-go acts at the Penthouse. The lounge manger, Jacobson, voluntarily asked for police to check one act that involved tassels and clothing removal. According to him, the act was never performed. The police had stopped one act that involved a woman twirling fire batons, which violated fire regulations. Regardless of these accusations, their liquor license was renewed and the go-go dancing continued. (Lincoln Journal Star. "3 Liquor Transfers Approved." October 14, 1969)
The Penthouse Lounge and the Back Stage Lounge continued to employ go-go girls as entertainment into the 1970s.

1970s
The Morocco Lounge | 1010 P Street
The Morocco Lounge hosted exotic dance shows every day in 1973; a matinee from 4:30-6:30pm and a second show from 8:30pm-12:30am.

Hollywood & Vine Theatres | N 12th & Q Streets

Witt's Place/Lounge | Bennet, NE
In February 1977, $10,000 worth of exotic dancing costumes were stolen from two nightclubs in Lancaster County. The two clubs were Witt's Place and BJ's Hideaway. The stolen costumes were recovered by the Lancaster County sheriff about six weeks later. One man was later arrested and held in connection to the burglaries.

The Night Before Lounge | 1035 M Street
The Night Before Lounge hosted exotic dance shows feature male and female exotic dancers. One male exotic dancer named Tomi Covara was reported to be the "only" male go-go dancer in Lincoln at that time. Covara's act at the time did include a "low velocity strip to a G-string."

1980s
BJ's Hideaway | 5100 North 48th Street
BJ's Hideaway, "the All New Hideaway", was Lincoln's only spot to see topless go-go dancers in 1979.
In 1977, the nightclub made the Lincoln Star when $10,000 worth of costumes were stolen, and later recovered by the police. Throughout the 1980s, BJ's Hideaway had topless dancers intermittently as the City was constantly attempting to ban all nude dancing.

Nude Dance Ban
In 1980, the Lancaster County Board passed a nude dance ban, banning "the display of.the female breast from the top of the nipple down. BJ's was targeted by the ban and took the matter to court in October 1981. In August 1982 the Lancaster County District Judge William Blue agreed with BJ's that the County Board could not pass a resolution banning nude dancing and could not enforce it.
BJ's was managed by Richard Coons and owned by Ray Coons at the time. The club was just outside Lincoln's city limits. However, the club didn't really stop the topless dancing and were relieved an official order had been made. 'Now I'll be able to sleep nights,' said Richard.
The Judge deemed the county didn't have the authority to regulate liquor--that power lied with the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission. (Lincoln Journal Star. "BJ's given all-clear sign; Judge strikes nude-dance ban." Melanie Gray and Matt Truell. Page 28. August 11, 1982)
The Armadillo Lounge | South Pointe Shopping Center
Leon Larson, the owner of the Armadillo Lounge, hosted exotic dancers beginning in 1981. In July 1981, Larson debuted a morning topless dance show from 8am to 1pm. The first show sparked controversy and the next day it was shut down. The first show was apparently a packed house, while the second show was shut down by police.
Topless dancing was prohibited at licensed liquor establishments in Lancaster County but was allowed in Lincoln. The opposition was led by Her Wittman, the secretary-treasurer of the Lincoln Home Builders, Inc., the owner of the "Indian Village Shopping Center" (now called the South Pointe Shopping Center), where the Armadillo Lounge was located. Topless dancing was not prohibited in the lease, so Wittman gathered 100 signatures for a petition for City Council to enact an topless dancing ban. Luckily nothing came from the public outcry and the Armadillo Club was allowed to continue having exotic dancers. They even had male exotic dancers at one point! (Kearney Hub. Leslie La Roche. "Topless Show Starts, Ends Early." Page 8. July 31, 1981)
The Happy Hour Lounge | 1705 O Street
The Happy Hour Lounge was opened at 1705 O Street by Jerry Irwin in 1986. In 1987, the City of Lincoln passed an ordinance to govern nude entertainment in the Capitol city. The ordinance that was enacted to stop kissing, fondling, and embracing of bar patrons and dancers, was being used by police to regulate and censor dancers and venues.
Sweep Left Sports Bar | 815 O Street
The Sweep Left Sports Bar was a traditional sports bar, however, upstairs was a second bar called "Peter McCue's Lounge" which hosted "The Sheer Delight Dancers".


1990s
In August 1991, the Lincoln Star listed the following nightclubs under "Striptease";
- BJ's Hideaway at 5100 N 48th Street (annexed by City of Lincoln in 1996)
- Foxy Lady at 1823 O Street
- The Night Before Lounge at 1035 M Street
- Peter McCue's at 815 O Street (closed by 1995)
- The Happy Hour (Closed by 1995)
- The Armadillo Lounge (Closed by 1995)
- Royal Grove at 340 W Cornhusker Highway
- The Turnpike Restaurant (annexed by City of Lincoln in 1997)
- Kabooms at 1111 O St.
The Foxy Lady | 1823 O Street
The opening year of the Foxy Lady is unknown but based on a 1991 newspaper advertisement in the Lincoln Star, the Foxy Lady hosted dance contests every Tuesday night. They offered cash prizes for the top 5 dancers. The 1st prize received $80. The dancers at the Foxy Lady were called "The Star City Dancers." The club was open Monday-Saturday from 11:30am-1:00am and 6pm-1am on Sundays.
Shakers Opens | Waverly, NE
Shakers opened in 1995 between Waverly and Lincoln, Nebraska. Owned by Angie and Dan Robinson, who also ran a talent agency for exotic dancers, were from Lincoln. The bar opened as Nebraska's first fully nude nonalcoholic bar. In other words, it was a "juice bar" serving to customers 18 years and older. Angie Robinson, 34 years old at the time, was an exotic dancer herself, and modeled the club after Solid Gold, Deja Vu, and Pure Platinum--clubs in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
The club served soft drinks, fruit juice, coffee and tea. There was a $7 cover and patrons could rent a semi-private room with a couch for a $10 fee to view a solo dancer. Rumors in a newspaper article reveal there was a nude dance club in the same building as Shakers 10 years earlier.
BJ's Hideaway | 5100 N. 48th Street

BJ's Hideaway survived from its inception in the 1970s and a sticky nude dance ban in the 1980s. In 1996, BJ's was annexed into Lincoln, meaning it could non longer sell beer on Sundays and their dancers would need to cover up more. At the time, BJ's dancers wore "Las-Vegas style" costumes, meaning they wore c-strings (or 't-bars') that covered the front crotch but not the butt. Inside city limits, the entire butt had to be covered. Let it be known the land under the gun club across the street from BJ's was not annexed.
1997, it was co-owned together by Wayne and Karen Anderson who had owned the Turnpike Restaurant which was annexed by the City of Lincoln. Because of the annexation, the Turnpike had to stop selling beer on Sunday and dancers were required to wear more clothing.
By April 1997, BJ's announced it was getting a second location at 1400 Saltillo Road, the previous location of the Turnpike.
2000s
Mataya's Babydolls | 56th St & Cornhusker Highway
Mataya's Babydolls was Lincoln's newest strip club in January 2000. It was actually an 18+ "juice bar" on the corner of 56th and Cornhusker. Topless dancers graced its stage. Patrons could pay $5 to lick whipped cream off a dancer's nipple, allegedly. The club promoted 'full-contact table dances and couch dances only here at Babydolls.'
The club did not serve alcoholic beverages, but instead charged a $4 cover fee and sold snacks, and soft drinks. Some dancers were paid a salary of $300 a week, while others were paid in tips only. The types of dances they had were the table dance, the couch dance, and the stage dance. The table dance was performed by a clothed dance for $5 for one-half a song to dance around the table. The dancer could touch the patron, but the patron was not allowed to touch the dancer. The couch dance was $25, where the dancer paid the club $10 to rent the couch (in a secluded area). The dancer would be nude and the patron would not be able to touch the dancer. Two or more topless dancers would dance on the stage. For $5 the patron could quirt whipped cream onto one of the dancers' chest, legs, stomach or back
By January 31st, the City Council held a public hearing on prohibiting nudity in public places and banning kissing, fondling and embracing between performers and patrons. Contact between patrons and dancers is prohibited if the club as a liquor license, but Babydolls was non-alcoholic.
Jerry Irwin, the owner of the Foxy Lady, stated the city should handle Babydolls by itself and leave "responsible" clubs alone. (There was no touching allowed at the Foxy Lady) Police at the time didn't have a clear right to enter to inspect Babydolls either, because it didn't hold a liquor license. The club was operated by John Ways Jr. who stated nothing illegal happens in his club. Ways previously managed BJ's Hideaway.

Cheetahs Gentlemen's Club | 640 W. Prospector Court
Cheetahs opened July 28, 2000 and operated for less than two weeks before coming under fire for having nude and semi-nude dancers. The Cheetahs Gentlemen's Club was opened by Dan Robinson.
In August 2000, Cheetahs could no longer host topless dance shows due to the liquor license laws changing. In order to keep serving alcohol they required all dancers to cover nipples with pasties and replace g-strings with high cut briefs. Cheetahs was only open for 8 days before it received a cease and desist order. At this time, Lancaster County Sheriff Terry Wagner defined nudity as "exposing nipples, buttocks or pubic area."
By the end of August 2000, the Lancaster County Commission moved to have a hearing toward possibly shutting down Lincoln's newest Gentlemen's Club. At this time, Cheetahs was allowed to do business under the liquor license of the Coaches Bar & Grill, at the same location. A previously unused section of Coaches was used for Cheetahs. Neighbors of Cheetahs were mostly concerned with the "bad clientele" a strip club could bring.
In 2002, Lancaster County denied the club's liquor license renewal. Next door to Cheetahs was the Coaches Sports Bar & Grill, owned by Duane Hartman (he also owned the building). Both businesses were on the same property. Before this, community complaints dealing with problems of alcohol use at Cheetahs were reported. The Yankee Hill Neighborhood Association former president, Wayne Giebelhaus, was interviewed and stated, 'We didn't think that kind of business belonged in our neighborhood, or any neighborhood for that matter. It's not what a family neighborhood is about.' (Lincoln Journal Star. Butch Mabin. "Cheetahs topless dance club will close." April 26, 2002) The club closed in April 2002.
The case went to court and it was eventually ruled by the Nebraska Supreme Court that Lancaster County had overstepped its authority when using the 1980 county resolution to revoke Cheetahs' liquor license. The attorney for Coaches Sports Bar & Grill stated, 'A resolution is a loose statement of policy. County boards have very limited authority... They don't have the power to pass laws." The Supreme Court Judge, John F. Wright stated, 'Resolutions don't metamorphose into regulations.'
Shakers is Sued | Waverly, NE
Shakers is sued by an exotic dancer in 2001. She won her case in the state Workers' Compensation Court. The Court ruled against Shakers, deeming its dancers "employees". Dan Robinson was the owner of Shakers, and had owned the business for 19 years. He agreed to a settlement in the case to avoid the costs of future litigation.
2010s
The Viper Room / Drunken Monkey | West Lincoln
In the summer of 2011, the Lincoln City Council banned strip clubs in the downtown area. City Councilman Doug Emery explained why he opposed the ban; 'The downtown ban is like squashing a bug with a sledgehammer. Clearly, we are not going to let the free market decide." There were two strip clubs in the downtown area at the time, they were allowed to remain open. The ban was sparked by the club the Viper Room/Drunken Monkey, who wanted to move locations from West Lincoln to downtown. This new ban strengthened the current ban on strip clubs between 17th Street and 27th Street--now it extended to 7th Street. The Viper Room decided not to move.
The Zoo Bar | 136 N. 14th Street
Potboiler Burlesque hosted a Halloween burlesque show at the Zoo Bar in 2011. Potboiler Burlesque was a burlesque troupe in Lincoln created in early 2011 by Mallory Finch. The Halloween showcase was their third show. Josh Hoyer, musician and singer, accompanied a few of the performances, while Snake Island! and Digital Leather played sets before and after the performances.
Shakers is Sued Again | Waverly, NE
A lawsuit was filed in March 2014 by Elizabeth Mays, an exotic dancer and college student, claiming the owner of Shakers illegally regards its dancers as "independent contractors" to avoid paying regular and overtime wages. Mays was seeking class-action status for her lawsuit, meaning it would cover all exotic dancers who have worked at Shakers since 2000. The suit also called for barring the club owner from retaliating against the dancers.
Her lawyer argued that the dancers at Shakers do not qualify as independent contractors because Shakers regulates the dancers' dress, background music, working hours, how long they have to dance on stage for, and even when they must strip clothing off. Some dancers were also required to clean bathrooms as part of their employment. At this time, the dancers were only receiving tips from customers, and part of that money had to be paid as "rent" to the club owner. Labeling the exotic dancers at independent contractors let the club avoid paying hourly wages, overtime and Social Security taxes.
The club owner, Dan Robinson, denied he controlled their music and other conditions of their employment. He considered the dancers "lessees" who rent space to do their work--comparing them to hair stylists at a salon. 'They pay a lease to entertain there, to work there. And they keep all they money they make' claimed Robinson in March 2014.
In April 2017, a judge ruled in Mays' favor, finding that Shakers owed Mays almost $8,000 plus attorney fees and costs. Mays' records show she made an average of $44 per hour at the club. The business had over 50 "house rules", which extended beyond the signed lease agreement, that the dancers had to comply with. District Court Judge Strong wrote, "The rules controlled the dancers' movements, their dress, their dancing, their cleaning duties, their schedule, their contact with customers, the rates they charged, the lotion they used, the music they danced to, their use of cellphones, their movement within the club, the method of customer payment, and their attendance at mandatory meetings." She also stated that Shakers depends upon dancers to bring in customers and therefore they are an integral part of the business. Strong found that Shakers owed Mays $7.25 per hour, minimum wage, plus overtime.
This court case was integral for exotic dancers and many other workers who have been characterized as independent contractors, unfairly.