Plans have been approved to transform a former strip club in Cardiff into a nightclub and event venue. Nine Yards S.Wales Limited successfully applied to change the license for the basement at 93 St Mary Street, previously known as Silks @ 93 Gentlemans Club and Late Bar. The establishment, now named Six Feet Under, has had its sexual entertainment license revoked by Cardiff Council’s licensing sub-committee, paving the way for its operation as a nightclub and events space.
Local councillors, while welcoming the shift away from a strip club, expressed some reservations about the proposal. Cllr Norma Mackie, representing Cathays, and her colleagues supported the change but voiced concerns about the removal of seating, which they feared could lead to prolonged drinking and potential risks. In response, Matteo Cutrupi, a director at Nine Yards S.Wales Limited, highlighted the venue’s track record of holding electronic music events without incident under temporary notices. He outlined plans for regular music events and DJ sets, with additional daytime use as a music studio and workshop.
Six Feet Under is permitted to accommodate around 150 patrons and has a license to operate until 6 am daily. Cutrupi addressed concerns by stating that demand typically decreases after drinks stop being served at 5:15 am, leading to smaller crowds by closing time. The company has reached agreements with South Wales Police on various conditions, including sufficient door staff and a dispersal policy to manage crowd exit post-events.
Despite reservations from some councillors regarding the lack of seating potentially encouraging excessive drinking, Cutrupi pointed out that another venue operated by the company, The Bunkhouse Bar, successfully employs a similar standing-oriented approach without raising significant risks. The approval to repurpose the former strip club marks a significant shift for the premises, signalling its transformation into a diverse entertainment space offering a mix of nightlife and creative pursuits.