Miami-Dade County

Inside the naked city: Take a look at old burlesque theaters in South Florida

By Miami Herald Archives
A showgirl from Place Pigalle
A showgirl from Place Pigalle Joe Elbert Miami Herald File

Miami has always been a naked city.

Burlesque clubs. Topless bars. Adult movie houses.

Place Pigalle titillated audiences in Miami Beach for decades. The nearby Gayety Theater staged live shows and movies. The Pussycat on Biscayne Boulevard wasn’t shy at promoting the entertainment inside with big posters and marquee announcements. At the Crazy Horse Saloon in North Miami Beach, male strippers let it all hang out.

While many of these places have disappeared, some have new names and are still open for a drink and a thrill.

Let’s take a look through the Miami Herald photo archives at what the early years of take-it-off entertainment looked like in South Florida:

Place Pigalle

MORE: She told dirty jokes. They stripped on stage. Welcome to Miami Beach’s Place Pigalle

Sign outside Place Pigalle
Sign outside Place Pigalle Randy Bazemore Miami Herald File
A showgirl from Place Pigalle
A showgirl from Place Pigalle Joe Elbert Miami Herald Staff
A dancer performs at Place Pigalle.
A dancer performs at Place Pigalle. Miami Herald File

Crazy Horse Saloon

“Dino,” Crazy Horse Saloon dancer in 1983.
“Dino,” Crazy Horse Saloon dancer in 1983. Carol Guzy Miami Herald File
A customer at the Crazy Horse Saloon puts money in a dancer’s G-string in 1983.
A customer at the Crazy Horse Saloon puts money in a dancer’s G-string in 1983. Carol Guzy Miami Herald File

R Donuts

MORE: A topless doughnut shop? See the South Florida businesses that showed some skin to sell

Employees at R Donuts in Fort Lauderdale in 1987.
Employees at R Donuts in Fort Lauderdale in 1987. Miami Herlad File
In 1985, a waitress helps customers at R Donuts in Fort Lauderdale.
In 1985, a waitress helps customers at R Donuts in Fort Lauderdale. Walter Michot Miami Herald File

Gayety

Gayety Theater in Miami Beach.
Gayety Theater in Miami Beach. Miami Herald File
A performer at the Gayety Theater in Miami Beach in 1982.
A performer at the Gayety Theater in Miami Beach in 1982. Miami Herald File
Burlesque performer Tempest Storm with owner Leroy Griffith at the Gayety in Miami Beach in 1989.
Burlesque performer Tempest Storm with owner Leroy Griffith at the Gayety in Miami Beach in 1989. Donna E. Natale Miami Herald File

Treasure island

Treasure Island strip bar in Hialeah area in 1989.
Treasure Island strip bar in Hialeah area in 1989. Peter Andrew Bosch Miami Herald File

Pussycat Theater

The facade of the Pussycat Theater at 79th Street and Biscayne Boulevard.
The facade of the Pussycat Theater at 79th Street and Biscayne Boulevard. Miami Herald File

Club Madonna

At Club Madonna in Miami Beach, owner Leroy C. Griffith with some of the club’s performers in 2004.
At Club Madonna in Miami Beach, owner Leroy C. Griffith with some of the club’s performers in 2004. Al Diaz Miami Herald File
In 2004, Club Madonna owner Leroy C. Griffith was battling with the city of Miami Beachs over the establishment’s marquee over the issuance of a liquor license.
In 2004, Club Madonna owner Leroy C. Griffith was battling with the city of Miami Beachs over the establishment’s marquee over the issuance of a liquor license. Carl Juste Miami Herald File

This story was originally published April 14, 2025 at 9:58 AM.

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