The only adult entertainment bar in Queenstown has shut its doors after opening earlier this month, but hopes to reopen "in the next couple of days", the owner says.
Signs on the windows of the Church Lane venue state: "Rolla Bar is closed pending finalisation of lease and business purchase."
Owner Kelly Smith said the bar had a "soft opening" without marketing from November 12, but could not operate for the reasons given in the signs.
"The business is developing and we need to rethink how to redeliver the product, but otherwise we've had 150% support in regards to it."
Capacity crowds of between 160 to 200 patrons were frequenting the bar, she said.
Customers had to be turned away at the door as there was not enough room inside.
Miss Smith, a New Zealander who worked in the music industry for the past 23 years and has lived in Australia and Europe, described Rolla as a "rock slash burlesque bar" which featured "theatrical erotic dancers" but it was not a strip club.
"We're a stage, we're a show, we'll have poles going in and have girls who are highly athletic delivering amazing performances and we support original artists from Australia and New Zealand.
"This is the first time Queenstown has had this product delivered."
The premises was formerly owned by Mark Jessop and known as 12Bar.
It was relaunched as Queenstown's first gay-friendly venue under new management in March but closed after about six months.
Mr Jessop was unavailable for comment yesterday.
Alex Shotton, co-owner of The British Lolly Shop, which operates near Rolla, said the bar had struggled since day one.
He said he did not see a problem with a topless bar operating in the premises.
