As promised, I stopped by Papa Joe's on Friday. Here is what I found:
Driving by this place shows no hint of what lays inside. Got there around 8:30, and walking up to the entrance I glanced to my right and saw ... a room full of people eating dinner. So, the rumors were not true, I think. But, I was comitted at this point. I spied the bar inside and figured that I'd at least have a drink. Making a beeline to the bar, I started past a dude who mumbled something. I thought maybe he said "welcome to the club", or "come inside to see the chicks", but when I asked him to repeat, he muttered only "$5 cover". Well, I figured that was a good sign - and paid the $5.
Once inside, I really thought I was just in a bar. The bar stools were full of people (mostly couples), and a few of the tables in the bar area were similarly occupied. Could have been any cocktail lounge at happy hour. Some of the women "patrons" looked familar, however, so I kept looking. To my left, through a wide curtained door, was another room. Inside was a stage some chairs around the stage, a few tables and a couch or two. Ah ha! It really is a strip club!
I went back into the bar to settle in and order. Watched a couple of stage dances, which were OK (bikini), but the girls were pretty much coupled up - they danced then went immediately back to the bar or table they were sitting at. Some of the girls were in small groups, drinking or eating.
I recognized several of the girls including Tia, Lovely, Robin, and London. Lovely finally broke free and after a stage dance offered me a lap. My research was not yet complete, so I agreed. She led me through the bar, past the restrooms and down a neon-lit hallway to yet another room. Pretty much old dining booths all around the perimeter with a "podium" up front for the bouncers. About half-way through the first dance I realized that Lovely had lost none of her enthusiasm, and decided to try out a half-hour. I was not dissapointed. Lots of bouncers walking through, but not too much hassle. Dance charges are pretty much like Pleasures used to be.
I have mixed feelings on this one. The inside of the "club" is disjointed, old and, for the most part, kind of cheap (the chairs at the stage are a joke). The vibe (and the personnel) is much like Pleasures - a plus.
Something I don't understand: how do the dancers make money in a place like this? Pleasures was always kind of a "bar with chicks you could lap with". But, girls were generally floating around - you could get a dance. When Cocoon started to become "Pleasures II", I noticed more of the girls sitting and drinking with the patrons - less dancing, more drinking. Papa Joe's appeared even more like that. For example, London never left the side of one customer. Never danced. The dance room was pretty much empty while I was there. How does this work?
Well, I'll go back to see more of my Pleasures favs.
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