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"Girls Gone Wild" draws big crowd to area bar

Photos: 'Girls Gone Wild' visits area bar

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Staff photo by Gary Stelzer Girls Gone Wild visits Reflections in Middletown, Ohio Monday, Jan 8, 2010.

By Dave Greber, Staff Writer Updated 7:13 AM Tuesday, January 19, 2010

MIDDLETOWN — The “Girls” portion of “Girls Gone Wild” kept the mostly male crowd waiting late Monday night, Jan. 18, at Reflections Night Club, but the festivities finally got under way about 10:30 p.m.

Dubbed as a financial boost during a sluggish economy, the event drew the bar’s 165 person capacity as early as 8:30 p.m., according to Reflections owner Lisa Hammer.

Not too bad for a Monday in the middle of January, she said.

“I haven’t seen it this busy, even on a weekend,” said Hammer, who has owned the Elliot Drive business for the past seven years. “I do see a lot of new faces out there. I’ll be glad as long as the girls show.”

When they did show, it was up to Reflections employees to solicit other women in the bar to join in the fun. After a short visit on the “Girls Gone Wild” bus, they did.

Last week, Hammer received confirmation from “Girls Gone Wild,” an X-rated video series, they would make a stop at Reflections after another site cancelled an appearance.

The Middletown Division of Police had a presence at Reflections all night, although they stayed outside and kept an eye on the parking lot.

As of 10 p.m., the only problems reported were a DUI, a few citations for marijuana use and a few alcohol violations, according to Middletown Sgt. Jim Cunningham.

“Due to the number of people inside, in case there are any problems, we’re here,” he said.

Cunningham said in another nearby jurisdiction, groups of people began fighting when the “Girls Gone Wild” team failed to show.

That wasn’t the case Monday.

Hammer said she enlisted the help of 16 bouncers, other staff and five bartenders compared to the typical three-bouncer, three-bartender working on a weekend basis.

One of those, Reflections regular Chris Robinson, moved to the other side of the bar Monday.

“If we can get the women in here, the men will come, and she (Hammer) needs the business,” Robinson said. “I think it’s a great idea.”

Not everyone thinks so.

The response to the event has drawn some criticism from the community because of the scantily-clad (and often intoxicated) women they feature.

Hammer said she’s tried everything to boost her business over the past few years. Drink specials, food specials. Nothing’s worked, she said.

“If I was in a different business, I would search for a different avenue,” she said. “I’m providing jobs to people tonight.”

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