Emporers Gentlemen's Club is the new...

Emporers Gentlemen's Club is the new version of the club that was formally known as Crystal Palace. The floor manager said they opened about 2 months ago, but the club name first showed up on TUSCL this past weekend. I haven't been to the Crystal Palace since they first opened, so I can't tell you whether the new version is an improvement or not.

My visit to the Emporers GentlemaN'S Club is easily the most bizarre stop at a strip club in my life. They don't open until 6 PM, so I didn't expect to see a crowd when I got there at 6:25. The bouncer at the door checks your ID with a scanner before he lets you in, and give you an arm band if you are over 21. EGC is an 18 or over club, so they have to be careful about serving alcohol. And frankly, since I am now 60, anytime some one needs to check my ID before I get served it is more embarassing for them than for me. There was no cover charge at that time, I don't know about later. I headed straight for the main stage, which was empty, with the lights on. I was wandering around to see if they were using another stage when the floor manager showed up. She said the dancers didn't start until 7 PM, so I headed for the bar. There was 1 customer at the bar, an attractive bartender, 2 attractive waitresses and two dancers. I ordered a beer ($7). One of the dancers (Amare, cute latina) came to sit with me and we talked for about 40 minutes. Still no sign that dancers were at the stage in the next room. I went over to see if anyone was dancing, which was the second time I met up with the floor manager. She asked me if I was planning on getting lap dances, or did I plan on going strainght to the VIP rooms for a 15 minute or 30 minute session. Lap dances are $35 a song (almost twice any local club) and seem to be in a darkened room on the first floor. VIP room is on the 2nd floor, offers 15 and 30 minute sessions (I don't know the price). At that point, I wasn't about to book any VIP sessions without knowing which dancer, if any, I wanted to spend time with. So the manager decided to start the music and Amare was assigned to dance. It was her first night at the club also. Unless you are an NBA player, the stage at EGC is just short of shoulder height, so your head is beneath the dancers knees. The stage area is fairly dark, with blinking lights and fake fog. They were doing 4 song sets. Fully clothed first song, top off on the second song. With only 1 customer at the stage, bottoms off were up to the dancers. Amare gave a great dance. I was touching her calf between songs when I had my third encounter with the floor manager who told me "no touching". Last time that happened to me in Massachusetts club was about 15 years ago. 4 songs into the 2nd dancer, with her panties still on, I finished my second beer at 8 PM and happily headed for the door. I have no idea whether EGC gets a reasonable crowd after 10 PM. I hope so for the sake of the dancers because they deserve better than this. I only watched 2 dancers (in the 90 minutes I spent there), but saw another 6 dancers walking around about the time I left. They all seemed young (under 30), attractive, but not exceptional.

For those of you who think the other clubs in Worcester are run-down dives with no atmosphere, then EGC is the club for you. If you were planning a bachelor party, this club would be the best choice, if you don't mind the high drink price. They advertise a steak house on site. I guess the food is served at the tables near the stage. Their website advertises limos for customers that are coming to use the VIP rooms. There were 3 stretch limos parked in the upper level of the parking lot. IMHO, this club is trying to attract a clientele that might not even exist in Wormtown.