Having caught the Strip Club Bug...

Having caught the Strip Club Bug and only the Strip Club Bug, I decided to drop in on the hottest spot in my East Texas stomping grounds. Time Out deserves a thorough, more recent review, especially given that both the club's website and on-site information can be conflicting.

The phrases "mom-and-pop" and "strip club" sound odd together, but what else do you call early Halloween decorations in the lobby? Fun, regardless, and it signaled that this was a laid-back club. My cover was $15, which was handy as I forgot to carry some $1's, a convenient $20-breaking pricing strategy for the ladies inside.

The best way to describe the club is to call it a large den (Devil's Den, even?). The lighting is very dim, opting for the Black Light method to accentuate the decor and dancer clothing. On your left side is 2/3 of the club: the DJ's booth is just to your left as you walk in, the main stage juts out on the other side of it, complete with pole. On the furthest left tucked away, you'll see the more comfortable, mirror-equipped VIP booths, and in the corner, the VIP dens. They have mirrors, so don't expect shenanigans. Security is present, but they are very discreet, mostly there to keep peace. At the back, the bar. Note: As Smith County is "Dry", Time Out is BYOB, but the liquor stores aren't but 15 minutes down Highway 155. They'll be happy to give you a setup no matter what you drink, tap water and sodas are free, and bottled waters are just over $1. The bar also has a small menu of food from which you can order - there did not appear to be a "VIP Buffet" as I've heard. If the food service was anything like the attention to my tap water service, though, I'm sure they will make every attempt to provide great fare. Perhaps I'll try it another time.