Judge rules strip clubs can get liquor licenses temporarily

ATHENS - Two strip clubs that were denied alcohol licenses by Athens-Clarke County have won a temporary reprieve. <br> <br> Superior Court Judge Joseph Gaines ordered the local government Tuesday to issue licenses to Toppers and Chelsea&#39;s until a Friday hearing in Municipal Court determines the fate of the clubs&#39; liquor licenses for the remainder of the year. <br> <br> The order came just hours before the midnight expiration of the clubs&#39; 2002 liquor licenses. The clubs had received notice earlier this month that the county would not renew the liquor licenses for 2003 because Toppers and Chelsea&#39;s offer alcohol and nude dancing at the same location, contrary to an ordinance adopted by the county in 1997.