King Arthur’s represents one of several establishments that have historically drawn jokes about Chelsea—though these jokes typically reference past problems rather than present-day situations.
Like other notorious venues in Chelsea, King Arthur’s strip club has now ceased operations after the Chelsea License Commission recently revoked its licenses, potentially permanently.
According to Jim Dwyer, Chair of the License Commission, speaking to the Record, the Commission stripped King Arthur’s of all licenses in late last month. The action stemmed from police complaints and the establishment’s failure to pay over $300,000 in taxes and fines. Additionally, the ownership committed what amounted to a procedural oversight.
The establishment had closed temporarily without alerting the Commission, according to reports.
Licensed businesses that close operations—whether temporarily or permanently, excluding routine closures—are required to inform the License Commission.
King Arthur’s failed to provide this notification when it shut down, giving the Commission grounds to revoke the licenses.
Commissioner Roy Avellaneda characterized the closure as emblematic of Chelsea’s positive trajectory, pointing to the Hotel Stanley on Congress Street as another example of this transformation.
“Though I was out of town then, I knew what was going on and what was happening and agreed with the decision,” he stated. “When we talk about things going on in Chelsea, so much is moving forward. The sale of the Hotel Stanley not long ago and now the closing of King Arthur’s. There are seismic movements happening in Chelsea. Some of the things, like these two things, that people have picked on us for and made jokes about are no long up and running.”