Dreamgirls at Rick’s can be mighty...

Dreamgirls at Rick’s can be mighty tasty treat. In several weekday night visits here, I’ve see the hottest, most talented dancers/entertainers I’ve had the pleasure to be surrounded by in my club visits. If you have a $30 budget or you’re looking for extras, this is the wrong place. If you want a clean place with a nice atmosphere and great private dances from girls with looks and personality, come on down. No commercial here, I’m just impressed.

I felt it my civic duty to invest a few nights in early-mid March checking out the new Lake City Way clubs (in the name of research, of course – if you have tips on getting it funded, I’m all ears). The parking lot feels pretty safe with some spots visible from the street and others hidden in the back. $20 at the door gets you in plus the mandatory but bottomless non-alky drink. Inside it looks, feels, and sounds nothing like the old Rick’s that I enjoyed in years gone by, and for me it’s good riddance. The layout, the lighting, the furniture, the cleanliness, even the manners and professionalism of the staff were beyond expectations. The atmosphere is comfortable, and the vibe is fun and relaxed. Sure, these places want my money, and I always try to dress, smell, and act like a gentleman (I find it brings the most fun), but without looking like a tycoon I still feel really welcome there. The stages are bright and clearly visible from near and far. The main room is just light enough to take stock of the available talent (and prevent making a first impression by running into furniture when you first come in from the daylight), and the dozen or so booths in the private dancing room are various shades of dim. The sound is clean and not deafening, although sometimes when they announce dancers’ names or dance specials (3 for $40) I’m reminded of Charlie Brown’s teacher. In the private dancing room, a bouncer cruises around about once during each song, maybe counting dancers (I’ll avoid calling it a head count), but the supervision hasn’t been the least bit intrusive. They also have beautifully furnished private V.I.P. rooms with bead-curtain doors available for 15 min., 30 min., or even a full hour if you have the time (and $400 ) to spare. I’m pretty sure the house gets a cut on the dance specials and the private rooms, so you’ll want to tip the lady.

The dancers at Dreamgirls at Rick’s (the weekday nights I’ve been there) have been plentiful, 7-Up with a variety of looks, levels of enhancement, etc.; most or all have been young and fit, with many absolutely delicious. Even during the last half hour there were over a dozen girls. A good percentage seem to being pretty skilled at their jobs. While seated in the main room, I have yet to feel pressured or ignored by any dancer. Not once have I had a dancer approach me and ask me if I wanted a dance without first touching me, smiling, usually sitting, and introducing herself and at least chatting briefly. And no coercive sob stories (or ragging on other dancers or the club) yet, either. Even if they saw I was buying dances from several ladies, if I told them I was waiting for someone, they never asked again. In fact I’m always glad I tip the waitresses because more than once I’ve needed help hunting down a dancer.