NOT THAT BAD, BUT IN VEGAS...

NOT THAT BAD, BUT IN VEGAS THERE ARE EVEN BETTER OPTIONS … Sapphire's cavernous space sounds great, but it's actually problematic. During off-peak times, dancers and customers can have difficulty finding each other. And keeping that cavernous space filled with dancers results in a ton of variability in appearance, mileage, conversation, etc. Shop around.

Sapphire opened almost ten years ago, billing itself as "the world's largest gentlemen's club." And in terms of floor space, that's probably true. The space was converted from a huge 24/7 fitness center, debuted by the owners of the OG (Olympic Garden) as their attempt to 'move up to the next level.' (It's changed hands since then.) Largest in square footage, yes, but Sapphire's opening was soon followed by the opening of a number of other almost-as-large venues that are even more luxurious in nature such as Treasures, Spearmint Rhino - and the space known first as Jaguars, then Scores, then Rick's Cabaret, now Cover Girls. So Sapphire's bragging rights to "world's largest" doesn't automatically mean you'll have a better customer experience.

I logged about ten visits to Sapphire, somewhere between the time I weaned myself off of the Little Darlings' 18-21 nude experience, but before I eventually upgraded to the greener pastures of Rhino & Treasures. During my first visits I quickly learned that the huge wide-open rectangular space that forms the center of the club was actually a negative. Unless you sit close to the round stage & stairway (that is fairly off-center, closer to the end where the bar resides), it's so dark you can't see a thing. And that includes all the dancers and cocktail waitresses wandering around. And they can't see you either. The only advantage in that is that your table dances in such darkness are all but private in nature. I spent a good bit of time one night with a Mariah Carey lookalike in one nook of this huge dark space and - except for the fact it was a rolling seat instead of a stable leather couch - I obtained back-room quality contact at table dance prices. And Mariah & I were able to get cozy in other ways, such as conducting high-quality fondling between dances - and being able to discuss take-out without having to look over our shoulders.