Scratch 'N' Dent Department
Don’t let the snarky title put you off. There’s a lot to like about this place. It’s just that, while they have a few dancers who could fit right in at one of the high-end Philadelphia clubs, there is something a little off about most of them. Maybe a bit older, or heavier, or a pretty face but not a great body, or vice versa, or some combination thereof. But if you find yourself occasionally wandering over to the “Last Act” section of the Men’s Department at Macy’s, you might want to wander over to Risque Bristol.
Putting the standouts aside, you are looking at a solid group of 5s to 7s, but I would add a point for attitude. Dancers are friendly, engaging, and ,,,accommodating. I wouldn’t describe it as an extras mill, but there is reliable action in VIP, and the dancers are pretty open about their menus during barside chats.
I should point out that, with the exception of one evening visit when I unexpectedly hooked up with a dancer I knew from another club, the rest of my visits have been in the afternoon, so I can’t really speak to the dancer vibe, or anything else, at night.
The place where this happens is just off I-95 about 28 miles north of Center City Philadelphia. Travel time is always a crapshoot on 95. It’s close to the PA Turnpike and from there to the bridge connector to the NJ Turnpike, and also close to the Burlington-Bristol Bridge and the thinly-reviewed Playhouse.
If you approach from the I-95 exit or the Burlington Bristol Bridge, the club is on the left of Veterans Highway, and you’ll have to take a left at the traffic signal just past the club, and then another left into the rear lot. If you are coming south on Veterans Highway, there is parking in front and on the side, which is where the entrance is. No charge for parking.
When you enter in the afternoon, there is no security and no cover. There is a long rectangular bar (could probably seat 35-40 people) surrounding a long stage, which is divided midway by a narrow walkway. Dancers descend a spiral staircase to one side of the stage, dance one song, then clamber down and back up to the other side of the stage to finish a two song set. Top is usually off by the end of the first set, so if it is important to you to see as much exposed flesh on stage as close up as possible, try to get a seat at the end of the bar closest to the entrance.
After their set, dancers circulate around the inside of the bar for tips and maybe a brief convo. Then, unless they are with a regular, they’ll work the outside of the bar trying to drum up private dances. If that doesn’t pan out, they’ll retreat to one of the high top tables and scroll their phones, or chat with other dancers barside.
I’ve noticed that they play a lot of 70s classic rock. This may be catering to the demographic of the afternoon clientele. Last afternoon I was there, there were maybe 6-8 older white guys sitting around the bar, and at least as many dancers in sight, which doesn’t account for dancers doing LDs or VIPs.
Coincidentally or not, the dancers are mostly white, with a smattering of Latinas and your random Asian. Can’t say that I’ve ever seen an AA dancer there.
Lap dances are $20. LD room is across from the bar, and you pay the attendant for the first song. LDs are on benches separated by kneewall dividers, so there isn’t much privacy if the room gets crowded. Depending on the dancer, mileage can be good, and I haven’t encountered any prudes here.
I wouldn’t count on extras in the LD area, though. I’ve read crazy comments in older reviews about BJs and FS in the LD area, but the most I’ve ever encountered was an impromptu HJ.
If you establish expectations ahead of time, you should be able to count on extras in the VIP, which I’ve heard called, unironically, the “Champagne Court”.
The Champagne Court is up a narrow, steep, shabby, carpeted staircase off a corner of the bar where the kitchen is. The cost of a 30 minute “Court” is $220. After many visits, it’s still not clear to me whether the $220 is really $200 plus a “recommended” $20 tip to the attendant up there, but I don’t care. I tip him on top of the $220,, because he’s a good guy, he fetches the drinks, and because staying on his good side could enhance, or at least extend, the VIP experience. I have never seen him show the least interest in or concern over what happens in the VIP, but I think he may be a little more generous with time if he feels acknowledged and nobody is waiting for your spot.
Why would somebody be waiting for your spot, you ask? There are two distinct VIP areas on the second floor. There is a row of there-sided, floor to ceiling cubicles with curtains across the front, each enclosing a bench and small table. Cozy, I guess.
Then there are two separate VIP areas in a large, disused private party space. All kinds of space and privacy, comfy couches, and you can dim the lights and control the volume of the piped in music. Posh. Or, relatively posh.
As would be expected, the two posh spots are in high demand, and if there are at least two VIP sessions taking place at the same time, chances are the posh spots are taken. It’s not unusual for people to wait for one of the posh spots to open up rather than take an available cubicle. I’ve done it a couple times, at the suggestion of my hostess, and I’m usually not one to tarry when it comes to VIPs. We’ve also picked up and moved from a cubicle mid-session when a posh spot opened up. I suspect that the attendant, whose counter sits between the posh spots and the cubicles, sees a lot of naked ladies traipsing back and forth over the course of a shift.
VIP price includes a cocktail for you and the dancer. I only order tonic water while sitting at the bar, but it doesn’t seem like the kind of place that would gouge you on drink prices. Place is clean enough but shows a lot of wear and tear. If you prefer more glitz, and a somewhat higher level of talent (with exceptional standouts both ways), head back south on I-95 just past Center City to the Club Risque on Columbus Boulevard in Philadelphia. I like the Phila Risque a lot, but, despite their common lineage, the Phila and Bristol clubs fill distinct niches, and it is nice to have both options. Risque Northeast, OTOH, has no apparent raison d’etre