Just like all good TUSCLers should,...

Just like all good TUSCLers should, I finally got the chance to make the trip to the Honk Kong Gentlemen's Club, which I thought would not likely happen since I am an East Coaster and seldom in southern California. However, the stars aligned, and I unexpectedly had personal business to attend to in San Diego, so I got to go. The free time in my travel plans did not present me with the ideal timing for a trip to a Tijuana strip club – a free Sunday afternoon – but, hey, they're open 24 hours every day, so what the heck, right?

As a first-timer, I want to give thanks to the many TUSCLers who described the drill on the parking, the border crossing, and the taxis. I don't think anyone mentioned this, but when you walk into Mexico, you just walk through a turnstile into Mexico, no questions asked. Nada! Coming back, I was asked only one question when I showed my passport: "What are you bringing back with you?" I said "nothing" and was waved on through. Just be aware that they have drug-sniffing dogs on duty, and I saw them feverishly working the crowd. All other info was spot on, although while many reviewers said the taxis always drop you off at Adelita's a block away, my driver took me right to the front door of HK. Also contrary to most reviews I read, there was no $5.00 cover charge and no beer placed in my hand when I came in. I don't know -- maybe it's because Sunday is the Lord's day.

I got there about 1:30 in the afternoon (again, on a Sunday), so the place was not crowded, but it was still a pretty vibrant scene. Based on the advice in past reviews here, I headed straight to the back bar, waving off the waiters ("meseros") as I went. At the bar I ordered una botella de agua, my non-alcoholic drink of choice, which was $4.00, and I nursed that for a while as I walked around surveying the club.