Comedy Club Ordered to End Topless Dancing

A judge on Tuesday halted topless dancing at a longtime comedy club, at least until the end of September, when the club’s owners and the county will tangle in court.

After a brief hearing, Superior Court Judge Robert A. Knox issued a preliminary injunction against the “Newport Fantasy” show at the Laff Stop in Santa Ana Heights. Laff Stop owner Jorn S. Rossi and his attorney, Paul Mast, could not be reached for comment Tuesday, but a manager at the club said the dancing would continue as usual Tuesday night.

“That’s not really good news,” the manager said of the judge’s move.

After 16 years of stand-up comedy--with performers that included David Letterman and Robin Williams--the Laff Stop began hiring female topless dancers in February.

County officials tried to stop the dancing, saying the club needed a special permit for adult entertainment.

But the Laff Stop sued the county, claiming county ordinances do not apply to Santa Ana Heights--an unincorporated area just south of John Wayne Airport--and that topless dancing should be allowed because male exotic dancers have long performed there.

Since the conflict began more than four months ago, the topless dancers have continued to perform.

On Tuesday, deputy county counsel Tom Agin presented testimony from two former Laff Stop employees that the club’s entertainment roster and format had changed significantly, and currently violated its zoning classification. Knox apparently was convinced, and ordered an end to topless dancing until the lawsuit between the county and the club goes to a trial scheduled for the end of September.