the ultimate strip club list

a guy's guide to strip clubs

July 8, 2008  •  Vol. 15, Issue 189

Been there a couple times since my last review and my opinion of the place has improved dramatically.  Most of the girls seem to work an afternoon-early evening shift. Dances can be almost Mons quality (remember, in most cases you're not touching between the legs anyway) with the pasties a minor inconvenience. I haven't timed the songs but they may actually be longer than the typical 3 min or so. Did try the champagne room, which is the standard $10 a minute, 15 minutes (as opposed to 30 min elsewhere). Still that's not really private, just privateish. Think a typical Ybor private room.

With gas currently north of $4 a gallon, it's becoming more of an attractive alternative.

Popped into this club a couple times recently, after not visiting for more than a year. To be honest, I was pleasantly surprised. The talent level was on par with neighboring Paper Moon and a touch above what I'd seen at Gold Club and Platinum Showgirls the last time I'd stopped in those two clubs. Variety ranged from old pros to a newbie literally just out of high school.

As topless/pastie clubs go, the grindage was good. The $20 a dance a little pricey (I remember when Temptations was $10 a pop, making it more worthwhile to stop in than make the extra trek to Tampa) but the specials (2 for $30 I think) do feature two full-length songs. Girls have to tip out $5 of that immediately after dancing. Hey, they do that at Ybor and Deja Vu too but it's not so blatant and some girls use that to try and wheedle out an extra tip (and at least they don't charge patrons too).

Didn't try the champagne room, so can't comment on that.

This club can be hit or miss. I've been going to Pandora's Box (previously Cleopatra's) from time to time for a few years. It definitely improved when it changed hands. Beers are reasonable, and the cover is free early and only $10 later in the night. The bartenders and wait staff aren't too aggressive about trying to get you to buy the girls drinks, but expect them to ask if you talk to a girl for more than a few minutes. They sell cigars, some of which aren't too bad, but they are pricey, so bring your own if you smoke.

The facility is a single, large space with curtained off VIP / dance areas. Nothing fancy, but it's clean and the chairs are comfortable. It's pretty small, and you can find yourself standing when it's busy, but forget about going in during the day time or evenings early in the week, as there are few dancers. Friday and Saturday nights after 11pm are better, but that's where the "hit or miss" can come in. I've been there and seen several real knockouts, but I have also seen slim pickings despite decent numbers. The girls' attitudes are generally very friendly, and they tend to be fairly classy when talking you up. The girls are usually diverse in ethnicity with a fairly even mix (white, latina, black). The customers are equally diverse.

Lap dances are $20. The 3 dances for $30 deal has changed to 2 for $25, and the first song in the pair is a rip off it's so short, so don't bother to wait for the deal. The girls wear pasties, though some of them seem to have trouble keeping them on. Dance quality can vary but usually includes good friction. I tipped a young lady extra last time for a good job and she seemed surprised. Went back with her again later in the night and she did even better.

I'll go back again. It's not the best place in the region, but it's a good time when you are looking to relax, enjoy some scenery and a dance, have a few beers, and not spend a whole week's pay in the process.

Hit the club on a late Monday afternoon. No cover til 7:00. Only three dancers and three patrons including myself. After a little time at the stage the 3 for 30 showtime was announced. Went back to the lap area with "Shawna" an attractive black dancer who put on a nice show for me at the stage. The 3 for 30 was the real deal...the songs were not cut short. The other two patrons went for the special too. The lap area is a little too brightly lit for my taste. I was not comfortable in the chairs back there and wished for the loveseat couches they had at the old club. Still a good value...I even extended for one more at the same rate. I still find it amazing the regular lap price is 25. May I suggest 15 per dance. The old club had a busy dayshift with more selection. Could it have been the reasonable value they offered?