Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Spring Street Tavern Not Your Typical Corner Bar

JD Malone of the Express-Times has both a blog post (read it here) and article (read it here) on the Spring Street Tavern located in the West End (formerly Pep's Place).

Residents who live in the area of the Tavern complained to Council at the last Business Meeting citing among other things, the bar staying open until nearly 4:00 a.m. on some nights, noise during hours and when it closed, patrons causing problems when leaving, and the bar having a 'stripper' pole. One resident noted that on one occasion a naked/partially naked woman could be seen on the porch of the bar.

Malone reports " A lengthy slide show available on the tavern's MySpace page titled "Go-Go Roadshow" detailed lap dances performed by at least one woman with dollar bills poking out of her black bra, matching panties and a pink thong." He also wrote that the Roadshow was on the bar's calendar of events nearly every weekend and that the MySpace was made private on Monday.

In addition to the alleged activity/behavior Malone wrote that the police have received numerous calls, zoning is now investigating, the Liquor Control Board has been contacted, and the state police will not comment (as is policy so as to not interfere with any possible undercover investigations taking place).

Finally, in the blog Malone writes, not surprisingly, "Michael Merlo, the owner of the tavern and holder of the liquor license, did not return phone calls or an e-mail asking for comment."

10 comments:

uppernazite said...

I have heard some stories first hand about this place, sounds like its not long for this world.

Karen Petersen Pasquel said...

These reports(about the tavern) are disturbing. It's too bad considering the previous restaurant was pretty decent the last time I was there (which was awhile ago). We especially enjoyed their Wed. family spaghetti nights.

Bernie O'Hare said...

If you saw pictures of me before that myspace site was deleted, I want you to know that I was only there to research a blog post. I've also prepared a complete report for Conrad Bowers. And that was not me licking off that whipped cream. I'm lactose intolerant.

Incidentally, every one of those dancers had a skateboard.

desiree said...

Re: Wednesday 8/15th's front page article about Spring Street Tavern

Is Nazareth's Spring Street Tavern breaking laws, or just testing the borough's conservative mindset?

Being one of many happy patrons of the tavern, I find it ridiculous that the alleged investigation of Spring Street would make front page news. The article in Wednesday's Express refers to the "pole dancing" at Spring Street but the investigator failed to discover that the "stripper pole" was originally put in place for additional structural support of the building and that it was bar patrons, including local area residents, that chose to make use of the pole for dancing.

Having been at the bar on evenings when the GoGo Roadshow takes place, I've seen first hand that what the tavern offers is harmless fun for singles and couples alike. Unlike some other local Nazareth bars, Spring Street does not have a history of fighting or violence, but rather a safe environment in which to enjoy some entertainment and have a drink. The "roadshow girls" are present simply to talk and dance with patrons, and to sell jello shots. There is no nudity. These girls, like any other person in the bar are there to have fun, enjoy the music and a few drinks, and make new friends.

Is dancing, whether on a pole or in front of someone sitting in a chair illegal or any different than the suggestive dancing by scantily clad, barely 21 year-olds that can be seen at any Lehigh Valley bar that offers a DJ and a dance floor?

This establishment has been a neighborhood tavern in this same location for over 50 years, probably longer than certain neighborhood residents. Did those residents not make the choice to purchase or rent a home in the neighborhood of an operating tavern of their own free will? Perhaps a certain neighbor will be relieved to hear that she is welcome to show up in her nightgown at any time and will be greeted with a smile and offered a drink just like anyone else. I, and other neighborhood residents, have come to the bar in pajamas on more than one occasion to grab a quick drink, a bite to eat, or a 6-pack to go and have never been uncomfortable.

I have to ask this question: Is the owner of Spring Street Tavern breaking any laws or simply trying to earn a living in an ultra-conservative town?

Your article does not mention that just the other weekend the owner of the tavern was the one who caught the three 13 year-old kids who were responsible for breaking into parked cars in the neighborhood at 2:30 in the morning.

Here's something for Nazareth residents to think about: Nazareth and state officials can't even determine if the tavern is actually breaking a law, no arrests have ever been necessary, and the tavern seems to be guilty of nothing more than loud music. Shouldn't area residents focus more on why their children are not at home in bed at 2:30 in the morning and why so called "stepped up patrols" in the neighborhood couldn't find or catch these kids on their own?

-Irritated in Nazareth

uppernazite said...

HA! Very funny Bernie, i agree, these strippers must have been skate rats when they were younger. Some interesting comments Desiree, and kudos to the owner if he really is the one who caught the kids but that doesnt make him or anyone a saint, or even someone respectful, not that i have any personal knowledge either way. If there is nithing going on in the bar that they are afraid for the public to know then maybe they should put the blog back up that was taken down and hidden.

Nazareth is FAR FAR FAR from being conservative.

Hopefully the tuth will come out eventually whatever it is. Maybe we all need to patronize the place and see what is and isnt going on!

desiree said...

Anyone who goes to Spring St or follows their myspace knows they change their pictures regularly. I'm not surprised they removed the photos. Even though there was no nudity, if there were complaints, then why would the bar owner want any trouble?
Yes, I agree that people should definitely go check out the bar and see for themselves what goes on there.
It's a shame to see this establishment fall victim to the same treatment that so many business owners in the past have received. Not surprising though since this is not the first business that Nazareth has forced to shut down or relocate simply because the owner was not born and bred in Nazareth.

Nazareth not conservative??? Yeah, ok. And they're not racist or homophobic either.

For anyone who's interested, Spring St's myspace page is www.myspace.com/springsttavern and is there for anyone to see.

Unknown said...

This post is to formally invite everyone in Nazareth to come into my bar and see what goes on. I have nothing to hide. I am here and accessible, if people have concerns
or questions they can come talk to me any time. Spring ST.
is a great place to hang out . I apologize to the neighbors if at times the music has been too loud.

Michael Merlo

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Tatamite, Nazareth not conservative? Is that why they have embraced the skaters with such open arms? Sorry, most people here make Pat Buchanan look like Jimmy Carter.

Desiree, when many of these people bought their homes, the tavern was not in its current incarnation. It was a restaurant back then, not a bar. You have to face the fact that these different types of establishments will draw different types of clientele.

It's great that any neighbor would be welcome with open arms. However, when that neighbor has to get up at 6 AM for their job, being kept awake by loud music and rowdy patrons outside until 2 to 4 in the morning is not quite neighborly, now is it.

The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle. The bar needs to respect the rights of the residents living around it, but the residents also have to respect the rights of the owner of the establishment to conduct business.

sevasic said...

I've been to the bar quite a few times and I have no problem with it. Oh yea, did I mention that I also own a home on Spring Street?!