Only establishments with beverage room licences are permitted to show porn and
other forms of adult entertainment, said Soroka.
Tom Manos, the general manager at The Lid, said he was unaware the Benassi
music video -- called Satisfaction -- was recently played in the bar, but
admits it was always a popular hit with the crowd.
"It's fun. People come here and want to have a good time and that's what they
do," said Manos. "There are still requests (for the Satisfaction video), but
it's something we can't play."
Cabaret License
The Lid switched from a beverage room to a cabaret licence 18 months ago to
host more events like wrestling matches and to have more video lottery
Terminals, said Manos.
He's disappointed he can't show porn under the new licence and can't understand
the reasoning behind the restriction.
"It's just exotic entertainment," he said. "The things on the news are far more
disturbing than some exotic entertainment played in a night club. There was
never a complaint about it."
Soroka said MLCC inspectors will keep a close eye on The Lid. If the
establishment continues to breach its licence, it could have their liquor
licence pulled, face a fine or be shut down.
"There's a range of disciplinary action the board can take on the licensee,"
said Soroka. "But that would be the end result."
'Recipe for Trouble'
Some people were surprised to learn porn is permitted in bars that hold
beverage licences.
Community activist Marianne Cerilli said mixing alcohol and porn in a bar can
be a "recipe for trouble."
"I would be concerned about the health and well being of the people when they
mix those two ingredients," said Cerilli.
Tory MLA Glen Cummings said bars should at least provide warning to patrons
before showing explicit material.
"If you're walking in off the street you should have some understanding of what
you'll be exposed to," said Cummings.
Scott Smith, the minister responsible for the Manitoba Liquor Control
Commission, said porn is completely legitimate in places with a beverage room
licence.
"As far as my personal opinion, I don't watch porn, I don't like porn. But if
it's legal and people choose to take that as recreation, then so be it," said
Smith.
