Well, I finally bit the bullet...

Well, I finally bit the bullet and checked out Sapphire. After my early evening visit to the OG, I decided to be the typical tourist guy and have the cabbie take me to Sapphire. Was $30 at the door (Spearmint Rhino was only $20 earlier in the week. I think they just make up whatever cover they feel they can get at these places any more.) Guy wanded me at the door but didn't do any pat down even when I beeped so not sure what the purpose of it was. Down a fairly long entryway to pay the pretty girl at the door. Walked in and was immediately accosted by an attractive blonde who promised to find me a table if I tipped the doorman $10. I did and she did. Club was pretty busy (probably around 9 PM) but still curtained off with only the front area open. Was told the back would open up around 11 PM but I left just before then so am not sure. Two "stages" in use, one more or less at floor level and another up the stairs where the dancer must have been 10-15 feet away. Didn't quite figure that one out. Never even tried to approach the stage and other than a few guys sitting around it, no one else seemed to either.

So let's cut the chase. This club is pretty much a rip off. Most expensive drinks anywhere. My beer was like $14. Everybody has their hand out every step of the way. I used the ATM (I know, bad idea) and there was a 15% surcharge. Crazy. I don't know that I'll ever go back.

On the other hand, the dancers were a pretty impressive mix. Looked like about every shape, size, color, ethnicity you could imagine. I tried to count them on the floor shortly before I left and there must have been close to a hundred I could see and that wasn't counting any who might have been in the VIP or dressing room. And while a few were all hustle, several were actually pretty cool. The girl who escorted me to my seat never asked for a tip and, when I said "maybe later" to her offer of a dance, she took it with a smile and left. One dancer who said she was from Brazil offered me 2 dances for the price of one. They were pretty good dances and she was true to her word. She happily brought back the change from the $100 I gave her and didn't ask for an additional tip.