Corporate Information

MAL Entertainment is a Carolina-rooted family of adult nightclubs — from upscale gentlemen’s clubs and steakhouses to intimate neighborhood rooms — built around hospitality, distinct club identities, and nonstop entertainment.

Today MAL operates 11 clubs across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida. Each location keeps its own name, vibe, and personality. Guests choose the night they want; MAL delivers the same standard of service and entertainment behind the brand.

A Brief History

On August 12, 1987, in a small building at 2101 South Boulevard in Charlotte, N.C., owner David “Slim” Baucom and Jackie Adelle opened the original Leather & Lace. Slim worked the floor — bartender, doorman, and more — while Jackie helped build the room from the inside. That first club became a Charlotte landmark and the start of what is now MAL Entertainment.

From that beginning, Slim grew the company into one of the Southeast’s best-known adult nightclub operators — at one point running as many as 23 locations. The portfolio has since been refined to a focused set of clubs he can stay close to, while keeping the same founding idea: prime locations, strong local teams, and quality entertainment people come back for.

Industry Recognition

MAL and Slim Baucom have been part of the national adult nightclub community for decades — including the earliest days of the Gentlemen’s Club EXPO — and remain active through industry associations and the annual ED Awards.

Honors

  • Exotic Dancer Hall of Fame — David “Slim” Baucom (2004)
  • Don Waitt Industry Ambassador of the Year — David “Slim” Baucom / MAL Entertainment (2025), recognizing ongoing charitable efforts on behalf of the industry

National recognition

  • Frequent ED Awards Club Chain of the Year nominee
  • Scores Gentlemen’s Club & Steakhouse (Mooresville) — ED Awards Overall Club of the Year nominee (2022, 2023, 2024)
  • Individual MAL clubs and team members have also appeared on regional ED Awards ballots over the years

Slim has also long supported the industry through service on the ACE National Board of Directors and involvement with the Tarheel Entertainment Association.

Our Clubs

MAL’s current family of clubs includes:

  • The Gold Club — Charlotte, NC
  • The Gentlemen’s Club — Charlotte, NC
  • Crazy Horse Showclub — Charlotte, NC
  • Leather & Lace Southend — Charlotte, NC
  • Leather & Lace University — Charlotte, NC
  • Leather & Lace Gastonia — Gastonia, NC
  • Tassels Cabaret — Matthews, NC
  • Scores Gentlemen’s Club & Steakhouse — Mooresville, NC
  • The Pony — Greensboro, NC
  • Crazy Horse Showclub — Rock Hill, SC
  • The Pony — Pensacola, FL

Looking Ahead

MAL’s approach has always been straightforward: the right location, the right people, and clubs that feel like themselves — not copies of each other. That philosophy built loyalty with guests and entertainers across the Carolinas and beyond.

We continue to invest in the clubs we operate today. Club owners exploring acquisitions, mergers, management partnerships, or new openings in the Southeast are welcome to start a conversation with MAL Entertainment.

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