Ride there? 2 questions

There will be dancers at 8pm even on weekdays. If you take an Uber or taxi they will charge you the full cover. When I talked to them about getting picked up, they were a bit cagey about returning us to our hotel, so we decided to drive ourselves.

I doubt it. This place isn't fancy.

I haven't heard of them waiving cover for a long time. You might get lucky getting their early before cover. The times I have, there were a decent amount of girls (5-8), closer to 8. The girls arrive sooner than later.

My understanding is the clubs in Vegas tip drivers who drop off passengers. Clubs that don't tip the driver had drivers tell passengers, "You don't want to go there; it's really lame. Everyone coming out is disappointed. Let me take you the hot club where everyone gets has a great time." You might have better luck getting in if you taxi to a nearby hotel or restaurant and then walk. YMMV

basically Vegas clubs are way overrated and overpriced. and smile pretty because there's lots of cameras looking at you!
it took me a while to get my senses about me about Vegas... only once in a great while will I go there now. and I only live an hour away.