County questions new strip club permit

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The Travis County Sheriff's Office is trying to decide if Rockstar's Cabaret can keep its operating license.

We are told another strip club nearby, not keen on the competition, sued the Sheriff for issuing it in the first place, citing the club sits lets than 1,000 feet from an apartment complex, which would violate county code. The club also sued Rockstar's owner Alex Bahrami, who also operates the Pink Monkey Cabaret.

The property line of the Chardonnay Apartments on Wells Branch Parkway backs up to Owen-Tech Blvd. which runs behind the club. Walking trails wind along the greenbelt in between the two properties.

"There are too many children in this area," said a concerned father who asked to remain nameless. "Most play at night and these parks are too close to that area."

He and his 3-year-old son use the trails.

"I don't want my son seeing that coming in and out of here," said the father.

Rockstar's Cabaret, like the Pink Monkey, is an all-nude venue, which means that the club is open to those 18 and up and is BYOB, or "bring your own bottle." Because it does not carry a liquor license, the club advertises it will be open until 5 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

The family's apartment is right across the street from Northwest Elementary. Another parent contacted us anonymously, concerned the school sits less than 1,000 feet from the club. She cited the recent double murder in the Pink Monkey Cabaret parking lot on Memorial Day, committed by an alleged drug dealer being investigated by the FBI.

Travis County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Roger Wade said the Pflugerville school is farther than that. The Sheriff is waiting on advice from County Attorney David Escamilla to decide if they made a mistake in issuing the license in the first place, and need to revoke it.

Rockstar's Cabaret is owned by the same man who runs Pink Monkey Cabaret. We tried to reach him for comment. The operations manager refused to talk on the record, and said he will leave that to the company's lawyer. He did not provide a lawyer's name to speak with.

Click here for Travis County's sexually oriented business code.