--Bella and Kitty
The Lodge (Saturday)
Looked exactly like it sounds--a preponderance of dark woods, leather and taxidermy. We felt like we should be having brandy and cigars, but settled for cocktails. Since it was Couples' Night, our presence didn't draw too many stares. Though we were impressed by a variety of body types among the dancers--not that it really swung toward full-figured, but a few dancers were definitely voluptuous in areas other than the bosom--we were less impressed by the actual dancing. It was a lot of rhythmic swaying and walking; we also wondered if dancers purposely chose to perform to Kool & the Gang's "Ladies' Night," or if that was a gross error by the DJ. The Lodge and its patrons were clean and polite, and the service was attentive; the women's rest room left something to be desired...the 10 lap dances bought by the birthday boy in front of us, however, did not. The DL: Cover, $8, except Saturday nights, when couples (one male, one female) get in free.
Cabaret Royale (Saturday)
Struck us as a country club or a California hotel with more black lights and a DJ. (One thing about strip clubs, the better ones at least, the chairs are fantastic--high-back armchairs meant for hours-long sitting, designed to support the gyrations of a lap dance in pretend privacy.) CR offered more exhibitions of gymnastic floor work and dancers who look like they've had at least some dance training. Our table was near the front, and the dancers seemed comfortable waving to and chatting with us. Kitty received, as an unexpected and not totally welcome gift from one of our male escorts, a gross satire of a sensual lap dance from a stripper named Elise. Two words: nipples, ice. 'Nuff said. Overall, a fun, upscale atmosphere with decent music. Female patrons share the staff's well-stocked rest room, and both lunchtime and Legs 'n' Eggs buffets are sumptuous with options for whatever diet we're on this week. The DL: Cover, $10.
The Clubhouse (Thursday)
The only all-nude club we visited, and surprisingly the only club we checked out with an actual "Ladies' Night." As counterintuitive as it sounds, we had the best time and felt most comfortable here in the land of thong-free ladies. The lap dances were not as aggressive as some we had received, and the dancers were quite friendly, sitting down with us for a chat. (Because of the all-nude factor, the club imposes strict guidelines on customer contact, and table entertainment was subsequently more tasteful.) Favorites were Sativa, a sultry brunette, and Jillian, a hot blonde with glasses (purr). There were also opportunities to receive half-price "girl-on-girl" lap dances. Our token lesbian associate left happy, as did a friend who received three lap dances (including a "double") and is now reconsidering her heterosexuality. The DL: BYOB. Cover, $20. Free on Thursday nights for escorted or unescorted ladies, with $10 lap dances until 7 p.m.
Million Dollar Saloon (Friday)
A nice place, though not quite as large as the other clubs we visited. Once the smell of one dancer's burning hair wafted away (long story), the atmosphere was quite enjoyable. The wait service was deft at anticipating our food and drink needs, even in the crowded club. (We spotted two Seeing Eye dogs in the crowd. Hmm.) The food was fine, the drinks strong and the dancers liberal with their affection. The dancers here seemed to fall in a wider age range, but that wasn't really an issue. Be sure to check out Mona, a Brit with ballet training that gave her amazing gymnastic undulating ability. You get a lot for your dollar here...and so did Mona when she helped herself to two handfuls of Kitty when complimented on her dance technique. The DL: Cover, $7.
Silver City (Saturday)
Though the wait service was vigilant, the entertainers were less so. Maybe they were understaffed, but even after our waitress moved us to a "better" location, our table (including four men) seemed invisible to dancers. Maybe we were--the place was exceptionally dark, even for a strip club (the small stage near our table didn't even have a spotlight, and the main stages used blinding rotating lights). Even when one occupant finally received a lap dance, the dancer moved him into a corner, thereby quashing all our voyeuristic hopes. The DL: Cover, $10; buffet, $7.
Strip Tips
Bella, Kitty and the other anonymous female staffers who took on this daunting task would like to offer some additional advice.
1. Most clubs require ladies have a male escort. If you're curious or planning a girls' night out, call ahead to ask the club about its policy. Of course, if you have a male significant other, he probably wouldn't be all that hesitant (that is, champing at the bit) to accompany you to a strip club.
2. Leave enough of your cash to tip the waitress! She's bustin' a move for you, too, and in some cases the drinks are better than the dancing, so show your appreciation.
3. Fellas, it is recommended that you have prior approval before buying your female friend a lap dance. Some ladies are intrigued and into it, while some fall victim to hellish embarrassment resulting in a serious return prank (any ideas?).
4. Dancers/DJs: Please retire these tunes:
"You Shook Me All Night Long"--AC/DC
"Pour Some Sugar on Me"--Def Leppard
"Girls, Girls, Girls"--Motley Crüe
"Cowboy"--Kid Rock
"I Touch Myself"--The DiVinyls
5. Dancers/DJs: Please consider adding these songs:
"Red Right Hand"--Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
"I Might Be Wrong"--Radiohead
"Young Lust"--Pink Floyd
"Fame"--David Bowie
"Harper Valley PTA"--Jeannie C. Riley
From the Men: A Rebuttal
The male staff members (tee hee) of the Dallas Observer under the age of 35 would like to officially offer five counterpoints to the female staffers' strip-club guide.
1. Hello, P.T.'s? Hello, The Fare, now B.Y.O.B.? Hello, Baby Dolls? Anyone? Hello? Ladies, please find time to visit each and every gentlemen's club in the area. We do.
2. One staffer, depressed about geopolitical goings-on in the world, went to Silver City one night for a pick-me-up. By midnight, an upstanding, mature young woman had offered to move in with this staffer, suggesting that she could easily convince his wife this was a good idea. That is the epitome of customer service.
3. Going to a gentlemen's club and not hearing "Pour Some Sugar on Me" is like going to a strip club and not hearing "Girls, Girls, Girls." It's disconcerting.
4. You've got to admit that, at closing, it's comforting to hear the clever turn of phrase, "All bottoms up, all tops down!"
5. This specific point from one staff member: "Rain, why won't you call me back? I thought you loved me."
