CHICAGO — The publisher of Penthouse Magazine and Chicago club operator Opus Entertainment are planning to open a 17,000-square-foot Caligula adult nightclub by the end of the year.
Caligula will target a more mid-range audience than the upscale Penthouse- branded clubs and will be the first themed Penthouse club. The club is located in Chicago's Stone Park.
Perry Orr, president of Opus Entertainment, described the establishment as a steakhouse modeled after a Roman palace that will include short burlesque shows offering a humorous take on the Roman Empire.
“With Caligula and all the different emperors of Rome, we have a lot of material to work with,” he said. " Being associated with Penthouse and being the very first Caligula club is a tremendous great experience and our whole team is proud to be part of it."
Penthouse official Jeff Stoller said that the Caligula brand is the "perfect extension of our flagship Penthouse brand of adult themed clubs." Penthouse is a division of FriendFinder Networks.
The Caligula brand is taken from the movie of the same name produced in 1980 by Bob Guccione, the founder of Penthouse. The film is based on the infamous caesar of Rome, Caligula.
Caligula was known for his erotic exploits and wild parties.
The film was remarkable for its marquee team and cast, including writer Gore Vidal and stars such as Malcolm McDowell, Sir John Gielgud, Peter O'Toole, Dame Helen Mirren and Teresa Ann Savoy.
