On Sunday night, a new gay men’s strip club opened at 440 Broadway. It is called Magnum 54 and it was to be only the second serious entry of men-for-men strip joints in recent memory. The gays who frequent this sort of thing were very excited about the new venue, particularly because it described itself as upscale, guaranteed muscled men, and was to offer “No G-STRING LAP DANCES.”

It was an utter disaster.

The first clue, perhaps, should’ve been the fact that it was advertised on Craigslist (post since expired). But some guys did end up going and, thanks to the Internet’s ability to right a wronged consumer, we can read all about the thong-clad misery.

Magnum 54 May 11, 2007 ”
Mon May-12-08 01:32 AM by tazmanian5230

I was very excited that I would be in town for the Grand Opening of Magnum 54.

After all the Julio drama and waiting I would get to see for myself what all the MAGNUM hype was about.

Arrived at the club to find some “Daddyville” members lurking outside saying the club wasnt ready yet. Its ok, everything is late and last minute delays are always expected.

When I arrived back I was greeted by a well dressed police like looking man in a black suit who opened the door and directed me up the stairs to the “loft”. Its the second floor of a retail store. (somehow I thought I was going to see Denise, Neo and the cat at the top of the stairs. I wished)

I was asked to sign a contract saying I wasnt a cop, postal inspector or health inspector, and agreed not to touch the dancers penis or ass and pay my $50.00 cover. (was given a free drink ticket) Hmmm.

After walking into the room I was a little taken back, I was greeted by Julio the manager of the 20 club. He informed me that he left the 20 club to work at this new place. Ok, lets sit back and watch the show.

The Magnum54.com website advertised “Style & Sophistication” “Cool Euro Style Ultra Lounge Atmosphere” I was expecting to see a classy club or space. The seats were plastic lawn chairs that you can buy at Home Depot and I think I have seen the sofas at Ikea. The sound system seemed like a mobile rental system and I never heard a DJ. There was a buffet that seemed pretty good but I wasnt there for food. (paper plates and plastic cups) The website advertised 40 dancers. I counted only 12. The website also advertised that there would be a porn star, I did see George the former busboy from the 20 club, maybe thats what they meant. (hes a very nice guy) The website also advertised “Room Admission Specials” I only saw two dancers that were worth investing in a private dance IMHO. Pedro and Ryan both from the 20 Club. I paid full price for my private lap dance, nothing special was offered. $150.00 for 20 minutes.

I was rather shocked by the lineup. None of the dancers were “Buff” as advertised. Most of the dancers never danced before and said they were either hired off craigslist rentboy or by “j%%” of the 20 club.
The stage was so small that the dancers could hardly dance, maybe 5′x6′. There was a spot lite on the stage that went out after a few dancers, no one seemed to try to fix it.

A customer arrived with a HOTTTTTT guy who wanted to try the place out. He went onto the dark stage and did as well as he could, too bad it was so dark He was MUCHO HOTT.

Somehow when I hear something will be like the GAIETY I expect to see nudity and HOTT dancers. NONE of the dancers were nude and most were NOT HOT. The manager said the dancers could get naked in the lap dance rooms.

I think if Denise knew the Gaiety named was used as an example for this event we could hear he screaming all over NY.

I give the Magnum people credit for trying but I doubt most customers would go back and pay $50 bucks for a far less show than the 20 club offers for $20 bucks.

The claim to offer Style, Sophistication and a Cool Euro Style Ultra Lounge and Atmosphere and Hot Gaiety Style show were absent.
I left and went to the 20 Club. Many other customers also left and went to the 20 club. Mystery manager Mike Gio/MAG MAN was not around during my visit.

I wouldnt return unless drastic changes were made. Maybe some of the other Daddyville members will see a brighter side to this.

—————-
#1. “RE: Magnum 54 May 11, 2008″
In response to Reply # 0

Taz, You gave a very fair and balanced review of the Grand Opening of Magnum54. I will agree, what was promised wasn’t delivered.

Opening night for any club on Mother’s Day would be risky. Both dancers and patrons do have priorities and Mom does come first. That might explain the reason for a poor turn out on both sides. Also, why compete with the 20 Club? Same night and same time. Why not another night?

Personally, I enjoy attending male strip clubs. It beats sitting at home on Sundays watching Desperate Housewives. So, regardless of the location, I’ll make every effort to attend and show my support.

When attending a strip club the most frequently asked question is, “So, how was it?” That usually is referring to the lineup, not the cute security guard doing his job, or the adequate buffet provide by management.

When I pay a cover of $50.00 I’m expecting something special. When I hear the party is a mix between the Gaiety and Studio 54, I have high expectations. When I hear no liquor, I’m expecting to see “no g-strings” on stage. When I hear top dancers from 20C, Splash, and international, I do expect quality. Simply put, the club didn’t deliver.

Like Taz, I spent time in the back private area. From the “VIP Room Menu” I did 2 “No G-STRING LAP DANCES”, 5 minutes each, for a total of $100. I went with a cute young man who I recognized from Rentboy and who’s reviewed on this site. His name is Benjamin Beckett (www.benjaminbeckett.com) I had an amazing time with him and hope to see him again. If Benjamin is your type, I would highly recommend taking him into the back. He’s worth every dime.

As for the rest of the lineup, Taz already mentioned that Pablo and Ryan of the 20C were there, however, the others were all new to me. Avoiding me writing “same old, same old”… Another stand out would be Matthew from Brazil. He has that universal appeal and easily could have been a Gaiety dancer. He had the best build in the lineup: solid muscular, with good looks… Another friendly and good looking dancer was Johnny. He’s a snow-bird, dancing at Boardwalk in the winters.

Unfortunately, these dancers couldn’t keep me at the Club all night. Like others, I left and headed over to see the “same old, same old” lineup at the 20C.

—————-
So, what exactly were the rates for doing lap dances?

When I entered the “club” there was a Magnum 54 Club Menu waiting for me on the table. All rates were listed. I found this information very helpful and something other clubs should enforce. At some clubs it seems the dancers make up the rates depending on how much they feel they can hustle you for. I compliment Magnum 54 for letting you know up front what the fees are.

G-STRING LAP DANCE (5 MIN) $20.00

G-STRING VIP ROOM (20 MIN) $150.00
G-STRING VIP ROOM (40 MIN) $300.00
G-STRING VIP ROOM (60 MIN) $450.00

NO G-STRING LAP DANCE (5 MIN) $50.00

NO G-STRING VIP ROOM (20 MIN) $200.00
NO G-STRING VIP ROOM (40 MIN) $400.00
NO G-STRING VIP ROOM (60 MIN) $600.00

—————-
I hope Belpompino doesnt mind the old queens from “the other site” using his buddy gruntsuckers post but i coulnt help hijacking this one, the fee for entry was higher later in the night, those who got to magnum early got a $20.00 membership free.
Gruntsucker paid $70.00 to enter and watch the show.

Author: GRUNTSUCKER of “Muscle service” THE OTHER SITE
Oh for golly sakes What were they thinking. I attended the Grand Opening of Magnum54…………. Well all I can say is good bye Magnum54. I realize sometimes attending an opening night is not the smartest but this group acted like and advertised they were experts at it. Miami, Vegas and LA all of which I have never heard of them. But I (sucker) is born every minute. I got the email with the new address 440 Broadway. I got there a little late 7 pm. I believe they opened at 5pm. The door was unlocked by a young man and I proceeded up a flight of stairs to the second floor. I paid my cover $50.00 and the $20 VIP charge?????? Inside there were walls made of retail white slat wall, this was a rented space. Way too much light, buffet (never eat at a buffet where the patrons may have had their hands up…) a bar with blenders and lotsa chips and pretzels. About 20 guys were there but only about 10 dancers. Now these dancers..Virginia and DC people remember the Chesapeake House. These guys were the skinnyest, scrawnyest things I have ever seen. They all had black bikinis and white collars. There wasnt an ounce of Muscle there. Johnnie was cute best body, sweet great ass but def a twink. Most of the guys looked a little long in the tooth as well. I had my Cola, (comp) and chatted with a few. They had to pay $100 to dance there. I suggested to mgt they strip down the Slavic looking bouncers and get them on the stage. Finally they shut the spotlight off the dancer and that gave the room more ambience but now you couldnt see the dancer…..Denise where are you? Then HE came in. I saw him from across an uncrowded room. He was late he knew it apologized to the mgt and went in the dressing room to change. This boy was as big as anything that has ever graced the G’s stage. I learned he was Mathew from San Paulo and dances at Twist in Miami. Please guys anyone have contact info???? I ended up tipping him and he showed off his “guns” 18″. When he came off the stage this queen in a tux beat me to him and escorted him to the back room. Back room ! The queen in the tux had been telling everyone there he was a classical musician but the tux in this place made him look like a cater waiter.. again long in the tooth. Now it was my turn I was given a list of services $20.00 for 5min w/ g string (the tux queen opted for that) I splurged on a $200.00 twenty minute no g string naked show. Mathew delivered he was spectacular. I would have gone much longer but well er I … Unless they get some celebrity muscle in there I will not be back.

[Daddys Reviews]