The owner of a Hamilton nightclub has defended plans to employ go-go dancers, insisting they are not in poor taste.

Dennie O’Connor, who owns the Cosmopolitan club, has advertised for three professional dancers to work at the popular Front Street nightspot.

The advert raised concerns among the public, with commentators claiming the initiative “gives the impression of strippers and private rooms” and was not “classy”.

Yesterday Mr O’Connor hit back, pointing out that clubs throughout the world employed dancers to ramp up energy levels and encourage guests to get on the dance floor.

He added that there was nothing sexual about the performances of professional club dancers, who should not be confused with strippers or pole dancers.

And he said that, with more restaurants now staying open later and transforming into dance clubs, it was essential that club owners raised the bar to bring in business.

“This has got absolutely nothing to do with strippers or private rooms or anything like that — there’s nothing sexual about it at all and it’s not in poor taste,” Mr O’Connor told The Royal Gazette.

He said that the form of entertainment was developed in New York in the 1960s when some women at a club began dancing on tables.

“There is a definite and distinct difference between a gogo dancer and a stripper or dancer in a gentlemen’s club,” Mr O’Connor said.

“Go-go dancers don’t take off their clothes Yes, they do wear costumes, but they remain on their body at all times.

“Most go-go dancers are Dance majors (in university) and could seriously impress you with their perfected choreography.

“A talented and experienced dancer could grab anyone’s attention with their dance moves, even if they were dressed in head-to-toe sweats.

“They’re hired to get the crowd hyped — that is their job description.

“When the dance floor is completely empty, it’s their duty to dance and convince everyone idly standing at the bar to join in.”

Mr O’Connor said that he wanted to take Bermuda’s nightclubs, which he said were facing growing competition from restaurants, “to the next level”.

“The majority of restaurants on Front Street that used to close at midnight now stay open until 2.30am, transforming into a nightclub environment with a DJ and security,” he said.

“Why then should a nightclub not be allowed to enhance their entertainment as the restaurants have done?

“A nightclub must pay three times the amount for a liquor licence than the restaurant and therefore should have privileges greater than that of the restaurant.”

He said he was looking for the next level of legal entertainment for his Front Street nightclub. In fact, the number one question he gets from tourists walking into the nightclub is ‘where is the entertainment?’, or ‘why don’t you have dancers?’

“I believe that the addition of three dancers in a controlled, high energy environment will go a long way to encouraging patrons and creating more jobs.

“The more people that frequent the club, the more there is a need for additional bartenders, security personnel, cashiers, VIP hostesses, more liquor orders, more supplies ordered — a positive ripple effect on Bermuda’s economy.”

Mr O’Connor also dismissed concerns that he was seeking to employ foreign dancers after his advert stated that applicants should have three years of dancing experience.

Pointing out that he was looking to hire professional dancers for “a very serious job”, he added: “The job is open to all applicants but you need talent to be hired.

“All applicants will be thoroughly interviewed and, if necessary, auditions will be held.

“The role does require that the successful applicant dance for 45 minutes out of every hour for five hours a night.

“There is to be no fraternising with the customers as the role is to entertain and encourage the customers through their energy.”