In this abbreviated summary from their Expo 2025 panel session, three industry veterans share how reinvention isn’t optional, but essential, in attracting the next generation of clubgoers.
To kick off this year’s Expo seminar series, we tackled a question echoing from mega clubs to local dives: Does reinvention equal salvation for today’s adult nightclub?
Moderated by Exotic Dancer Magazine Publisher Dave Manack, the nearly two-hour seminar explored how today’s clubgoers are more diverse, progressive, and discerning than ever before. While long-time patrons—from CEOs to blue-collar workers—still walk through your doors, a new demographic is emerging: younger, less easily impressed, and often (at least partially) sober. So what now?
The discussion centered on how clubs must evolve to not only survive but thrive in today’s rapidly shifting landscape. Success now demands more than experience—it requires adaptability, innovation, and a clear understanding of the modern guest.
Joining Manack were three industry professionals who have done exactly that: Don Kleinhans of Mons Venus and 2001 Odyssey (Tampa, FL); Shawn Barnes of Scarlett’s Cabaret (Hallandale Beach, FL); Jeremy Sweigert of Michael’s Men’s Club (Broussard, LA). In this abbreviated excerpt from the expo session, each panelist offered firsthand insight into how their clubs have transformed to meet new expectations and how reinvention has become not just a strategy, but a necessity.
Don Kleinhans: Breathing new life into a legend
Earlier this year, Don Kleinhans, along with his brother, Jim, and the management team at The Kleinhans Group, made headlines across the industry by entering into a management agreement with legendary Tampa club owner Joe Redner. With Redner stepping into a landlord role, Kleinhans and his team took the reins of Mons Venus, perhaps the most iconic juice bar in the country.
At this year’s ED Honors Award Show, Mons Venus was named 2025’s Club Transformation of the Year, a testament to the power of strategic reinvention and a nod to the next chapter in the club’s storied legacy.
KLEINHANS: With Mons Venus being such an iconic landmark, we didn’t want to change its identity—just modernize it. After owning 2001 Odyssey across the street since 1995, and being longtime friendly competitors, Joe Redner and I became close. Last October, he called and said it might be time to talk, and it just made sense.
The club hadn’t changed much since 1982—Joe was still using a jukebox. On day one, we replaced it with a live DJ, which the entertainers really appreciated. From there, we upgraded everything—floors, lighting, upholstery—without shutting down, working during the day and opening at night.
We also tackled major plumbing issues, closing the restrooms for 30 days to fully replace the sewer system. Not glamorous, but necessary. We cleaned the HVAC system, added UV lighting, and partnered with ScentAir to improve air quality and ambiance—something both patrons and entertainers noticed right away.
Outside, we restored the iconic marquee, keeping its original look but replacing nearly all the bulbs and fixing the flash mechanism. Overall, it’s been about honoring the club’s legacy while bringing it into the present.
MANACK: If there are people here that might say, ‘Hey, like, I can’t afford a full club renovation,’ in your experience doing renovations, where do you get the most bang for your buck, in terms of if you’re going to invest in a certain aspect of the club, where do you really get the bang for your buck?
KLEINHANS: The immediate thing at the Mons was that, Joe, years ago, had decided, for the ease of cleanliness, he would tile the entire interior of the club. We all know that that affects the acoustics. So the first one of the things that we had done is upgraded the sound system. But when we did, it had that incredible echo effect that you would have with all hard surfaces. So we brought in new carpet. The bang for the buck is carpet, really; it can make a place pop. I think that it got the most attention immediately.
MANACK: Both Mons and 2001 offers no alcohol. What’s the challenge to bring in people? Or is it a different clientele from clubs that offer alcohol? In terms of how do you keep people in the club? Is it a different crowd than people that go to liquor clubs?
KLEINHANS: We’ve been fortunate to stay open 24/7 in Tampa, largely because we don’t serve liquor. That made us the go-to after-hours spot, especially post-3am, creating more of a nightclub vibe. Even earlier in the evening, our focus is on customer service. Unlike some clubs that feel intimidating, our team—many of them big, friendly former wrestlers—make guests feel welcome, opening car doors and greeting everyone warmly. That approach has been key. And about five years ago, we opened a high-end bar/club next door to 2001 called Riveters, which has also helped a lot too.
Shawn Barnes: Mastering the vibe
Barnes is a 30 year hospitality expert. Originally from New England, Barnes transplanted to South Florida where he’s been general manager of Scarlett’s Cabaret for over two decades. Scarlett’s is a ‘hybrid’ club offering first class, high-end amenities including a steakhouse, touring DJs, state of the art sound and lighting offering a distinct Miami vibe. Last year in Dallas, Scarlett’s Cabaret took the crown for ED’s Overall Club of the Year. The Scarlett’s brand has recently expanded with their sister club in Denver.
MANACK: Welcome, Shawn. It seems like many clubs around the country are hesitant to commit to a specific format — a defined music style that shapes a unique atmosphere and sets them apart. Can you talk about Scarlet’s format, particularly the music, and how that contributes to the club’s identity?
BARNES: Back in 2000, EDM was really taking off in South Florida, and we saw that as an opportunity to establish Scarlett’s identity as an EDM club. We installed a powerful sound system and built out a full light show, which brought an incredible energy to the space. The high ceilings made it the perfect room to amplify that experience — the sound and lighting came together to create exactly the vibe we were going for.
MANACK: A lot of people might hear the idea of having a defined music format and think, ‘I couldn’t do that where I am.’ But you’re actually about to try that in Denver as well, right? With a very similar format to what you’ve done before?
BARNES: We brought the format to Denver, which already had a strong music scene, and it caught on quickly. We did a full renovation of the club — once again adding a big sound system, a full light show, and offering late hours. And just like before, it started gaining traction and became successful pretty fast.
So for someone here today who might be thinking, ‘I couldn’t do a format like that where I am,’ what would you say is the key? There are obviously several elements involved — you almost have to start by educating your staff, your entertainers, and even your customers about the format. There has to be consistency and a clear message: ‘This is who we are. We’re not going to play other styles; this is our identity.’ And once you commit to that, you fully embrace it.
Jeremy Sweigert: Making them laugh
Known to his friends as ‘Swaggle, Sweigert began DJing in 1993 and officially entered the adult club industry in 2005, bringing a strong foundation in theater and stage production. He views the main floor of a gentleman’s club as live theater, where timing and constant entertainment are critical to keeping the energy alive and the crowd engaged. Michael’s has recently been promoting their venue through comedians drawing in a newer, more diverse crowd.
MANACK: For clubs that have never hosted a special event or contest before, where should they start? How do you go from an initial idea to full execution, and what are some key factors to consider for making that first big event successful?
SWEIGERT: I think it’s important to note that when we host events, the place is packed wall to wall, it’s not what most people expect. These events bring in a noticeable uptick in traffic, especially from customers we don’t typically see on weekends. We intentionally schedule them on Wednesday nights to avoid interfering with our high-revenue Friday and Saturday crowds.
MANACK: Jeremy, you’ve introduced stand-up comedy into the club, a unique concept we’ve covered in the magazine. What inspired that idea, and how has it helped attract a new crowd who might not typically visit a strip club?
SWEIGERT: When we did our renovation, we got very large. We went from a small club to a large club. We also put in a separate restaurant. And when we started thinking about what new ideas. The staff, and Michael,l had already played around the idea of maybe getting a comedian, and one of our local DJs knew some comedians and in our hometown, and we brought that in, and it started it. Comedy nights happen on Fridays and Saturdays from seven to nine. Effectively, we use social media, and I’ve used AI to get people in. Even now in Vegas, the Michael’s staff is going to comedy clubs to try to find more talent to bring in, because right now, we’re just with local comedy groups, which, if you have one in your community, reach out to them.
MANACK: So in terms of clientele, what happened? What did you see happening with when people came in? Did they stay? Did they come back? What was the reaction to a very new audience, to your club?
SWEIGERT: It was very much not the typical strip club customer. In fact, ninety-five of the people that came to the to the comedy show had never been in a strip club. And ironically, the shows are only an hour and a half long. By nine o’clock, it’s over. And we were all shocked, the entire staff: lots of couples, lots of middle of middle-aged people remained. They stay to the to at least midnight after the comedy show, and they had never gone to a strip club before they even went into the restaurant. Reviews have gone up, and these people, we’ve never seen them before.
For more information on Expo 2026, visit theedexpo.com
