Gay Bathhouse Bites the Dust

(San Diego, CA) -- A bath house in the Hillcrest/North Park area of San Diego will be shut down permanently after being cited under the city's Red Light Abatement Act. The City Attorney's office made an announcement on Wednesday that the owners of the 2200 Club have settled the case without admitting any liability. The club will close for good on April 30, 2007.

According to a press release from the City Attorney's office, citizen complaints and two police undercover operations led to the legal action that was filed against the 2200 Club which is located at the corner of University Avenue and Mississippi Street.

The San Diego City Attorney's Office first issued a warning letter to the business in January 2005 after complaints from the community that people were meeting at the bathhouse to have sex. Six months later another citizen complaint was received. That prompted plainclothes San Diego Police detectives to visit the club.

The San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper reports that the undercover officers observed men openly performing sex acts. The legal action against the owners of Club 2200 also alleged that the establishment had cubicles with beds and big screen TVs showing pornographic movies that depicted men having sex.

In December 2005, a criminal complaint was filed against the business, alleging six misdemeanor counts for failing to have a bathhouse permit and for operating an adult sexual encounter establishment in violation of zoning laws. As the date for a trial neared, a settlement was reached with city prosecutors.

Under the settlement with the City Attorney's Office, the owners of Club 2200 will surrender their bath house license. The owners are also subject to a $25,000 fine, which may be suspended if they comply with the requirement that no sexual activity is to take place on the premises until the club closes.

Club 2200 bills itself as a bathhouse spa in the Roman tradition that caterers to the gay and bisexual community. A 30-day membership costs $12. Longer term memberships are also available according to the club's website. A one-time day pass for non-members can be purchased. Rates for the non-member day pass include a large video room with a mirror for a fee of $30. The Club 2200 website has a "motto" posted at the bottom of the "home" page that says, "What Happens Here − Stays Here." However after April 30th, nothing will be happening there - when the club shuts down for good. Club 2200 has been in business since December 2004.

Sources: San Diego City Attorney's Office, San Diego Union-Tribune, Club 2200 Website URL (http://www.club2200.com/HOME.html)