Modesto’s Shadow Lounge will offer music, dancing – but nothing exotic

The Shadow Lounge in east Modesto will feature live music, disc jockeys, dancing, drinking and socializing – and perhaps eventually a mechanical bull during country music nights – but no exotic dancers.

Owner Cory Britton dispelled that rumor Thursday as he gave a tour of his new, roughly 4,000-square-foot business in the small shopping center at the southeast corner of Oakdale Road and Sylvan Avenue. Those rumors had spread on social media as residents in nearby neighborhoods raised concerns.

“It’s not a gentlemen’s club in any shape or form,” Britton said after the tour.

Britton gave the tour to members of the city’s Board of Zoning Adjustment. Board members and city staff toured the site before the board met at Tenth Street Place and approved allowing Shadow Lounge to operate with fewer parking spaces than required by city code. The board followed the staff’s recommendation in granting its approval.

The tour and meeting drew no members of the public. Britton said this was the last city approval he needed, and he expects the Shadow Lounge will open in mid October.

He said the lounge will be open for business 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursdays through Sundays. It will be closed Mondays but will have wine and paint nights Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Patrons will paint under the guidance of an instructor as they sip wine. Britton said the club is looking at offering live music twice a week and disc jockeys twice a week. Each night will feature a musical genre, including country, R&B and Latin.

City staff recommended allowing fewer parking spaces because the lounge will be open when other shopping center businesses are closed or there will be little overlap in their hours, and there is nearby on-street parking if needed. Britton said the lounge will have security, including in the parking lot. He said he also is working with Uber and Lyft to provide rides to and from the lounge. He said he would waive the $10 cover charge for patrons who use the ride-sharing services.

Britton, 28, said he operated a smoke shop and then a hookah lounge where he now plans to open Shadow Lounge. He said his new venture allows him to reach an older crowd. “I’m trying to bring something new to Modesto, where people like to have fun, but upscale and safe fun,” he said.

This story was originally published September 22, 2016 at 2:59 PM with the headline "Modesto’s Shadow Lounge will offer music, dancing – but nothing exotic."