32 Busted In Raid At Mr. Black

Popular Manhattan gay nightclub Mr. Black was raided and temporarily closed early yesterday morning. Police arrested three patrons for sales and 12 for use and possession of marijuana, cocaine and ecstasy. Swooping in at 4:35am, vice cops described the scene as an "open-air drugs market."

Also busted: 17 nightclub staffers were arrested under a charge of "criminal nuisance", meaning that they knew about the drug sales and usage, but did nothing about it. Gossip site GaySocialites is reporting that the employees will not be charged. I guess the cops just wanted to teach them a lesson.

I've been hearing for some time that the drugs were out of control at Mr. Black. Back when the place first opened to rave reviews of the DJs, I had a mild interest in stopping by, but never got around to it. I wonder what their famous bottom-less waiter, Mr. Ass, will do now?

UPDATE: Seems the raid busted up a budding romance. From Craigslist: "andrew its me tony. we just about to exchange phone numbers and the all those police walked in. you were doing email list wearing a jersey...jets i think. anyway we were seperated during the raid and want to know when i can see you agian. want to take you out. i was wearing black tank. big arms. bald guy. contact me if you see this. and was that messed up or what?" Thanks to JMG reader Juan for sending that in.