A Feud is Brewing Between City Officials and a Notorious Topless Bar in Texas

Strip clubs are hard to get rid of, as officials in one Texas city are finding out. Thanks to loyal clientele, hard-working dancers, and slippery techniques, the establishment has managed to stay open despite all odds.

Jaguar's Gold Club in east El Paso can probably be safely described as the bane of many a city official's existence. Located at 11377 Gateway West Boulevard, the topless establishment has long been considered a nuisance by authorities.

Bad Kitty

In a news release dated February 2024, city officials shared data that showed that from January 2018 to December 31, 2023, over 750 calls were made to law enforcement about Jaguar's. In response, the El Paso County Attorney's office had taken the steps to shut down the enterprise completely.

News outlet KVIA investigated the claim made by the city and found that the calls included (but not limited to) the following offenses:

• Discharge of a firearm: 13 violations.
• Delivery, possession, or use of a controlled substance: 57 violations.
• Prostitution/promotion of prostitution: 13 violations.
• Aggravated assault: 22 violations.
• Disorderly conduct: 52 violations.
• Sale or storage of beer or alcohol without a permit or license: 22 violations.
• Violation of City of El Paso's Sexually Oriented Business ordinance: at least 26 violations.

Jaguar's violations of El Paso's city ordinance allowed the county attorney to take out a Temporary Restraining Order that forced an immediate stop to club operations while also filing a lawsuit against club owners.

A settlement for the lawsuit was reached in March, and the terms of the agreement were intended to prevent the establishment from reopening as a house of ill repute, so to speak. The tawdry days of Jaguar's seemed done for, permanently.

But The Cat Came Back

Oh yes, Jaguar's is back--but under a new name, Chicas Locas. The "new" sign went up right next to the old sign with 'Jaguars' lettering still very visible.

New name, same bad kitty.

City officials were not happy, stating that Chicas Locas was in blatant violation of the settlement terms. But still Chicas Locas kicked open their doors for business amid city protests on September 19th.

Two Lives Down, Seven Lives Left

Predictably, city officials showed up at the grand opening of Chicas Locas with a reported posse of two dozen police offices and code compliance officers. Despite the presence of officials at the club for several hours, the establishment (shockingly) remained open for customers.

El Paso's city officials say they filed a lawsuit against the holding company that owns the location as of early morning Friday, September 20th--the very next day after the "bikini establishment" had its grand opening.

But if filing a lawsuit didn't work last time, will it work this time?

What's next for Chicas Locas? For Jaguar's? The future is uncertain, but the ball is now in the El Paso County Attorneys court.