Georgia Supreme Court: Sandy Springs Can Ban Alcohol at Strip Clubs

Georgia Supreme Court: Sandy Springs Can Ban Alcohol at Strip Clubs

ATLANTA — The city of Sandy Springs, Ga., has won yet another legal battle involving adult entertainment venues.

On Monday, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled that the city has the right to deny a liquor license to a business that provides nude entertainment.

In a unanimous decision, the high court upheld as constitutional the city’s ordinances that ban the sale of alcohol in such venues.

The case centered on Maxim Cabaret, now known as the Coronet Club, which filed a lawsuit against the city in 2006, shortly after Sandy Springs became incorporated. The suit contended the city’s ordinance prohibiting alcohol sales was unconstitutional. 

In a decision written by state Justice Britt Grant, the court held that such laws as Sandy Springs can “constitutionally regulate negative secondary effects of strip clubs without unduly inhibiting free speech or expression.”

During the course of litigation at Fulton County Superior Court, the city amended its adult business ordinances numerous times.

But in its eighth amended complaint, Maxim asserted that because the original ordinances were unconstitutional, they were automatically void and could not be cured by amendment.

The city, however, came out on top at Superior Court and won summary judgment. Maxim appealed to the Supreme Court.

Grant, in the decision released today, wrote: “At the heart of Maxim’s challenges to the city’s adult business regulations is its desire to continue operating as a full-nudity strip club while also selling alcoholic beverages to its customers.”

“It is true that both the First Amendment and the free speech provision of the Georgia Constitution have been held to protect nude dancing as a form of expressive conduct. But some limitation on the time, place or manner of such expression is constitutionally permissible, as are appropriately limited regulations targeting the negative secondary effects of adult entertainment establishments,” Grant wrote.

Maxim also argued in the case that the trial court erred in finding that it lacked standing to challenge the alcohol code. The court shot down that argument, as well.

“Because the city’s adult business licensing regulations prohibiting the sale of alcohol are not unconstitutional, Maxim is not permitted to apply for an alcohol license in the first place, and therefore lacks standing to challenge the city’s alcohol code, which applies only to businesses applying for or possessing a license to sell alcohol,” Grant wrote.

Today’s decision in Maxim Cabaret Inc. et al. v. City of Sandy Springs is the second legal defeat in a week involving Sandy Springs' adult businesses.

Last Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to a long-running adult zoning case, Flanigan’s Enterprises Inc., et al v. City of Sandy Springs, Ga.

U.S. justices denied certiorari without comment, leaving intact an 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that sided with Sandy Springs.

The 11th Circuit's decision in the eight-year-old case — involving Inserection, an adult video and sex toy and novelty store, and two strip clubs, Mardi Gras and Flashers — upheld a lower court’s decision from a year ago that ruled the city’s ordinances involving adult entertainment businesses in regards to zoning were not unconstitutional.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

European Commission to Assess Pornhub, XVideos, XNXX Compliance With Digital Services Act

The European Commission plans to conduct a study to determine how well adult sites Pornhub, XVideos and XNXX are addressing illegal content and other potential harms under the EU’s Digital Services Act.

Sabien DeMonia Stars in Latest From Brazzers

Sabien DeMonia stars with Jordi El Nino Polla and Danny D in the latest release from Brazzers, titled “Double Stuffed Sabien.”

Connie Perignon Makes Her Deeper Debut

Connie Perignon has made her debut for Vixen Media Group (VMG) studio imprint Deeper, alongside Kazumi and Anton Hardon in “Bare Witness.”

German Higher Court Upholds Ban on PornHub, YouPorn

The Higher Administrative Court of Rhineland-Palatinate on Thursday upheld a “network ban” on Aylo-owned adult sites Pornhub and YouPorn for failing to comply with German age verification regulations.

Kaci Kennedy Makes Her WIFEY Debut

Creator Kaci Kennedy stars with her husband Dakota Sexton and Chocolate Rod in the latest release from Vixen Media Group studio imprint WIFEY.

Bad Bella Makes Her New Sensations Debut

Bad Bella has made her New Sensations debut, starring alongside Danny Mountain.

Alabama Notifying Adult Sites of New Tax Set to Take Effect Sept. 1

The Alabama Department of Revenue has begun sending notices to adult site operators about a new 10% tax on their revenues, set to be enforced starting Sept. 1.

Ofcom Investigates 4 More Adult Companies for OSA Compliance

U.K. media regulator Ofcom has launched investigations into whether four companies operating adult websites have implemented requisite age assurance measures under the Online Safety Act, the agency announced Thursday.

Siri Dahl and Friends to Host 2nd 'Corn Telethon'

Siri Dahl will host the second 12-hour "Corn Telethon" livestream with several of her friends from inside and outside the industry on Thursday, Sept. 4.

Keiran Lee Gets Star Send-Off from Brazzers Ahead of UK Homecoming

Keiran Lee is coming home. Two decades after moving from England to the United States to sign an exclusive contract with Brazzers, the award-winning performer is moving back to the U.K. this week along with his wife, fellow performer Kirsten Price, and their three children.

Show More