The proliferation of adult strip clubs in Paceville dominated an academic debate about the future of Malta’s entertainment mecca organised by the University of Malta.

Gentlemen clubs – a more politically correct term for strip clubs – have mushroomed all over Paceville in recent years with the latest statistics showing there are more than 14 of them in Paceville’s main streets.

Without entering into the morality debate, anthropologist Marguerite Pace-Bonello said that her research showed these places were the most recent phenomenon in Paceville and were becoming increasingly popular – mostly among foreigners who came to Malta for conferences.

She said that since these clubs were unregulated and could stay open in the early hours of the morning, many Paceville-goers ended up spending the last part of their night out in these establishments, not necessarily to see the girls dancing, but to meet friends and socialise over a drink.

Employing mostly foreign girls from eastern European countries, Ms Pace Bonello said the strip clubs had now taken over some of the most popular entertainment venues.

According to various participants, this takeover has led to less entertainment diversity in Paceville.

Many said that while until a few years ago the area offered an array of entertainment possibilities – from live music in venues like the Rock Cafe and BJ’s to massive discos like Axis and Styx – this diversity has suddenly stopped.

Strip clubs taking over some of the most popular venues has led to less entertainment diversity

“Today, apart from the gentlemen’s clubs, there are a few bottle shops and some other bars. However, you no longer see so many people out on the streets as it used to be when The Alley and Coconut Grove were in high demand,” a middle-aged and nostalgic participant said.

The emerging differences between the gated communities of Portomaso and Pender Gardens and the rest of Paceville were also highlighted.

Ms Pace Bonello said that while the gated communities had brought high-end wealth to the area, where residents could live comfortably without the need to mix with the rest of the Paceville community, this might be creating some social divides.

“While the Paceville residents’ community is on a spiralling downward trend, with many moving out, many short-stay foreigners are preferring to stay and work in the area,” she said.

However, according to Ms Pace Bonello, a problem of people struggling with paying rents in places outside the gated areas are starting to emerge.