Charlotte, North Carolina, December 17, 2025
The Leather & Lace strip club near Charlotte is under scrutiny after a three-month investigation revealed multiple violations, including drug sales and after-hours alcohol consumption. The North Carolina Alcohol Beverage Control Commission has proposed a $5,000 fine, with potential liquor license suspension pending. This incident highlights broader safety concerns in Charlotte’s nightlife as regulatory actions increase amidst ongoing issues in entertainment venues.
Charlotte, North Carolina – A recent investigation has led to significant penalties for a strip club operating near Charlotte, highlighting ongoing concerns about safety and regulatory compliance within the region’s nightlife establishments. The Leather & Lace strip club in Gastonia, situated close to Charlotte, is facing a $5,000 fine or a liquor license suspension after a three-month investigation by North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) agents uncovered multiple violations, including drug sales and illicit activities.
Recent Violations and Penalties
On December 15, 2025, it was reported that the North Carolina Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Commission ratified the proposed settlement for violations at Leather & Lace. The investigation, which spanned from September to November 2024, revealed seven distinct violations detailed in a 21-page report. The club has until January 2 to pay the $5,000 fine to avoid a full liquor license suspension; if paid, the 65-day suspension will be reduced to 15 days, starting January 9.
The violations included openly smoking marijuana and using cocaine, as well as the sale of controlled substances like cocaine, marijuana, and MDMA (“Molly”) in the club’s parking lot to undercover agents. Furthermore, employees and dancers were observed selling or coordinating drug sales between patrons and undercover agents on two separate nights. The club also engaged in the selling and consumption of alcohol after 2 a.m., with an employee and dancers consuming alcoholic beverages while working. An additional violation involved a dancer observed “fondling” her breasts during a lap dance, which contravenes alcohol permit regulations.
Three individuals were charged in connection with the drug-related incidents: Roy Berga Jr., known as “Miami,” of Shelby; Tesla Nicole Blackburn of Hickory; and Donald Carroll Taylor of Marshville. This enforcement action underscores the State-level commitment to regulating alcohol sales and preventing illegal activities in entertainment venues.
Broader Nightlife Safety Concerns in Charlotte
The recent regulatory action against Leather & Lace occurs within a broader context of increasing scrutiny and ongoing safety concerns surrounding Charlotte’s nightlife. Incidents involving violence and non-compliance have frequently drawn attention from law enforcement and the community alike.
Previous Violent Incidents and Closures
Just last month, on November 16, 2025, a significant police response was triggered after a shooting was reported near the Superstarz nightclub on S. Summit Avenue in Charlotte. Two individuals were transported to the hospital following the incident, which also saw a crash reported a few blocks away. Authorities are investigating potential connections between these scenes. Rapper Monaleo had been scheduled to perform at Superstarz on the night of the shooting.
Earlier in 2025, the Mi Cabana Bar and Night Club in northeast Charlotte had its alcohol licenses revoked by the North Carolina ABC Commission due to a persistent history of violence and public safety issues. Since July 2023, the venue generated 28 police calls, including a homicide in April 2025 where Javier Lee Martinez Hernandez was fatally shot outside the club. Police affidavits indicated the owner routinely sold alcohol after 2 a.m., leading to many crimes occurring post-closing hours. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) deemed the location so dangerous that officers would not respond to calls there without backup.
In March 2025, a fatal shooting at the Flirt nightclub on Wilkinson Boulevard in West Charlotte was deemed justified by CMPD. This incident involved an armed security guard and another man, with the person shot later succumbing to their injuries at the hospital. These events contribute to the public’s heightened awareness and concern about safety in entertainment districts.
Regulatory Environment and Public Safety
North Carolina operates a strict alcohol control system, being one of 17 states to do so. This system empowers the ABC Commission to impose substantial penalties, including fines and license suspensions or revocations, on establishments that fail to adhere to state regulations. The collective impact of these enforcement actions and reported incidents underscores the challenging environment faced by both nightlife operators and regulatory bodies striving to maintain public safety.
Furthermore, new State-level laws have been introduced to enhance public safety across various sectors. For instance, a law enacted in January 2024 requires bars that derive most of their revenue from alcohol sales but also serve food that is time or temperature controlled to obtain a health department permit. This measure aims to prevent foodborne illnesses by ensuring proper inspections, cleanliness, and food safety training, similar to restaurant standards. While not directly addressing violence, such regulations reflect an ongoing legislative effort to bolster safety and operational standards in establishments serving the public.
The recurring issues of violence, drug activity, and regulatory non-compliance in and around Charlotte’s nightclubs necessitate continuous vigilance from law enforcement, proactive measures from venue owners, and ongoing engagement from the community to foster a safer environment for all patrons.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What recent incident has occurred at a nightclub near Charlotte?
- On December 15, 2025, it was reported that the Leather & Lace strip club in Gastonia, near Charlotte, faced liquor violations after a three-month investigation by North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) agents. This investigation uncovered violations including drug sales and illicit activities, leading to penalties.
- What were the specific violations found at Leather & Lace?
- The violations at Leather & Lace included openly smoking marijuana and using cocaine, selling controlled substances in the parking lot, selling and consuming alcohol after 2 a.m., and a dancer fondling her breasts during a lap dance, which violates alcohol permit regulations.
- What penalties is Leather & Lace facing?
- The club has until January 2 to pay a $5,000 fine or face a liquor license suspension. If the fine is paid, the 65-day suspension will be shortened to 15 days, starting January 9.
- Were there any arrests related to the Leather & Lace investigation?
- Yes, three individuals were charged in connection with drug-related incidents: Roy Berga Jr., known as “Miami,” of Shelby; Tesla Nicole Blackburn of Hickory; and Donald Carroll Taylor of Marshville.
- What other recent safety incidents have occurred at Charlotte nightclubs?
- On November 16, 2025, police responded to a reported shooting near the Superstarz nightclub on S. Summit Avenue, with two people hospitalized. Earlier in 2025, the Mi Cabana Bar and Night Club in northeast Charlotte had its alcohol licenses revoked due to a history of violence, including a homicide in April 2025. In March 2025, a fatal shooting at Flirt nightclub in West Charlotte involving an armed security guard was deemed justified.
- How does North Carolina regulate alcohol sales in nightlife venues?
- North Carolina operates an alcohol control system, which allows the North Carolina Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Commission to impose penalties, such as fines and license suspensions or revocations, on establishments that violate state regulations.
Key Features of Nightlife Safety Concerns in Charlotte Area
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Recent Regulatory Action | Leather & Lace strip club near Charlotte (Gastonia) faced liquor violations (December 15, 2025). | Local (near Charlotte), State-level enforcement |
| Specific Violations | Drug sales (cocaine, marijuana, MDMA), after-hours alcohol sales, employee/dancer alcohol consumption, and inappropriate conduct by a dancer. | Local |
| Penalties Issued | $5,000 fine or liquor license suspension (reduced to 15 days if fine paid). | State-level |
| Drug-Related Charges | Three individuals charged: Roy Berga Jr., Tesla Nicole Blackburn, and Donald Carroll Taylor. | Local |
| Recent Violent Incidents | Shooting near Superstarz nightclub (November 16, 2025), revocation of Mi Cabana’s license due to chronic violence including a homicide (July 2025), justified fatal shooting at Flirt nightclub (March 2025). | Local |
| Regulatory Framework | North Carolina’s Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Commission enforces strict alcohol control laws. | State-level |
| New State Laws | 2024 law requiring health permits for bars serving time/temperature-controlled food to prevent foodborne illnesses. | State-level |
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