Fantasies Go-Go Bar In Keyport May Lose Liquor License

KEYPORT, NJ — The Bayshore area's local go-go bar is back in the news.

Fantasies Go-Go Bar on Rt. 36 in Keyport could lose its liquor license after an undercover investigation by the state division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) found dancers there are allegedly performing nude and touching patrons.

The investigation by the state was actually done in 2016, and Fantasies was served a "notice of charges" on Nov. 29, 2017. The state is seeking to suspend the bar's liquor license for 225 days, with an additional 75 days based on aggravated circumstances, for a total penalty sought of 300-days suspension.

Fantasies, Inc. has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Their plea of not guilty was received by the state on Dec. 18.

Undercover investigators with the Alcoholic Beverage Control were present at Fantasies on Oct. 20, 2016 and Oct. 25, 2016. The investigators said they observed multiple dancers on each of the two dates remove clothing or covering from their genitals and breasts. State investigators said they also observed "audience participation," involving dancers touching or being touched by patrons.

When Patch called the go-go bar Monday morning, a manager, Nick, agreed that losing their liquor license would severely hurt the business.

"We really can't say much because this has to all be worked out with the state," he said. "Yes, it would really hurt us. We've been here for 20 years and serve all kinds of people."

He did not give his last name.

The state says the alleged violations were "egregious" in nature. In their notice of charges served to Fantasies, the state alleged the following:

On 10/25/16 you allowed, permitted or suffered lewdness or 90-day suspension immoral activity involving audience participation on your licensed premises with dancers "Christina" or "Annabel"

On 10/25/16 you allowed, permitted or suffered lewdness or 60-day suspension or immoral activity on your licensed premises with dancer "Mercedes," who was not properly clothed.

On 10/20/16, you allowed, permitted or suffered lewdness or 45-day suspension immoral activity involving audience participation on your licensed premises, with dancers "Velvet" "Jennifer" and "Brianna"

On 10/20/2016 you permitted or suffered lewdness or 30-day suspension or immoral activity on your licensed premises, with dancer "Nikki," who was not properly clothed.

The state and Fantasies are currently negotiating to see if they can resolve the charges. If they cannot, the matter will go to the Office of Administrative Law, where an administrative law judge will make an initial decision.

The matter ultimately goes to the ABC Director for a final decision regarding the charges and whether the bar will lose its liquor license.

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