Thursday, March 29, 2007
By Matt Erickson
The building that once housed the Moon Bar, 821 Iowa St., will open its doors tonight for the first time since June 2005 — as a dance club called Club Axis with a different owner and a new look.
KANSAN
Club Axis opens at 9th and Iowa, where the former site of Moon Bar was. Its grand opening is scheduled on March 29.
The management said they would put an emphasis on safety.
Richie Caldon, the club’s owner, said the club would use measures such as increased security personnel and a strict dress code to ensure safety. Caldon also owns Thai House, 724 Massachusetts St.
The Moon Bar closed in 2005 shortly after a notorious fight on its premises involving former basketball player J.R. Giddens.
The fortunes of Giddens and the bar fell soon afterward.
Caldon said Club Axis would institute a dress code — collared shirts only, and no jeans, baggy pants, sideways caps or hooded sweatshirts — to attempt to create an upscale environment free of violence.
“It’s going to be a really good dress code, so we can prevent the more undesirable customers that can come in from other places and cause problems,” Caldon said.
pullquote
It’s going to be a really good dress code, so we can prevent the more undesirable customers that can come in from other places and cause problems.
- Richie Caldon, club owner
Chris Windler, Club Axis general manager, said the club would have at least eight security workers on its premises on busy nights.
But Steve Gaudreau, owner of two Lawrence bars, said he didn’t think Axis would be able to escape the violent past associated with its building, even though its owners had no connection to the Moon Bar.
“I don’t think he’s going to be able to change the stigma that’s attached to that location,” Gaudreau said.
He said he didn’t think any safety measures would completely keep out the crowd that had drifted to the Moon Bar in the past.
“Good luck to those guys,” Gaudreau said. “They just need to pull out the security in there and hope for the best.”
The state revenue department’s Alcoholic Beverage Control said the building’s past did not create any problems or delays in granting Club Axis its state liquor license.
Windler said that associating Axis with the Moon Bar was unfair because nobody involved with Axis had any connection to the Moon Bar.
“A lot of people are mocking us at other bars around Lawrence,” he said.
Windler said he and Caldon selected the former Moon Bar building for Club Axis because its size allowed for a large dance floor, and it was near to the University campus.
Caldon said he wanted to attract University students who wanted a classier, more upscale environment than other bars and clubs in Lawrence.
“We want to provide a place where the kids can dance and have a few drinks as well as have a controlled, safe environment,” he said.
Kansan staff writer Matt Erickson can be contacted at merickson@kansan.com.
— Edited by Mark Vierthaler
Correction: April 3, 2007
Club Axis’ dress code does not permit baggy clothing or jean shorts. ...
Local bars get strict with dress codes
Lawrence bars are cracking down on dress codes. Several students have not ...
Court sets the date for 821 Club’s ...
City officials schedule hearing to determine whether the club should be shut ...
New bar makes safety its top priority
Frankie and Johnny’s is taking every precaution to make the bar safe ...
City moves to close 821 Club
A club with a troubled past is being closed by the city ...
821 Club closing its doors for good
Owners say city code violations are to blame.
Amyx suggests jail time to curb violence
Mayor wants there to be a ban on guns not just in ...
Local bar owner charged with illegal alcohol ...
Bars’ owner contests ban
Local bars show support for LGBT community
Teller’s becomes the newest business to host a weekly ‘Family Night’
No more smoking in the boys room
Business closes because of disagreements between tenants and building owners.
Moon Bar owner worn-out, to sell property
Investigation continues into May nightclub altercation involving ...
Home game hype attracts bar patrons
The 9-0 start for the Kansas football team has increased business as ...
Businesses get smoking decks
Giddens charged with battery
Giddens pleads not guilty to battery charges
Nightclub offers new amenities
Lawrence offers various venues for nightlife
University of Kansas students voice their opinions on which bars they enjoy ...
“Crank That” craze hits local venues
If you’re looking for hip-hop dancing in Lawrence, chances are you’ll hear ...
Giddens heads to New Mexico
Lawrence police complete Moon Bar investigation
Oread Inn prepares to open in January
The hotel will have several bars and restaurants, and observation decks overlooking ...
Giddens leaving University
Jeremiah Creswell faces assault charges unrelated to ...
City helps fund sprinkler systems downtown
A $250,000 downtown fire sprinkler incentive program will reimburse owners of eight ...
Kansas City Star: Giddens instigated fight
City Commission candidates speak out
Lawrence City Commission hopefuls talk about their opinions on the transit systems, ...
New burrito restaurant opens
Big 12 Burrito, located behind The Crossing, charges $4.99 for its burrito.
Downtown Lawrence offers a wide selection of ...
The bars’ unique atmospheres attract a variety of customers with their unique ...
'For sale' signs flood local businesses
Local businesses in Lawrence are closing up shop due to reduced income.
Athletics Department takes a stab
Commission bans guns in bars
The city of Lawrence will start cracking down on anyone who brings ...
KU Dancesport club provides competition
The KU Dancesport club welcomes dancers of all skill levels to turn ...
Rental property licensing may expand
Members of the community came out in both support and rejection of ...
Get some culture: Samba night
It’s not all about fast food and beer pong.
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID