Gentleman’s clubs across Tampa Bay rolled out the red carpet, hoping to attract visitors in town for the Republican National Convention. Some clubs even hired extra staff and brought in dancers from out of town, only to be disappointed.

“They were expecting way more than what actually came,” said Gary Smith, manager of Tampa’s Gold Club.

Bernadette Notte is a bartender and weekend manager at Mons Venus on North Dale Mabry. She says business was actually down about 50 percent. . .