Portland Clubs Are Different. In A Good Way.

I'm writing this piece primarily for people from the East Coast who may visit Portland and may want to check out the strip club scene there. This was my first trip to a couple of Portland clubs, and they're not like the east coast clubs I've frequented.

The Lucky Devil Lounge is a lot nicer on the inside than it appears on the outside. It combines the best elements of a friendly neighborhood hangout with superb dancer/entertainers.

The women here are pole acrobats/gymnasts. In addition to the spinning pole, there are also monkey bars, and the dancers employ them to their maximum effect. Like most Portlanders, the dancers often have ornate tattoos. I believe that all the dancers I saw at this club were naturally-endowed. In a typical three-song set, the dancer will tease during the first song, drop the top on the second, and then go au naturel for the third. The stage is separated from the patrons by a curved rack/table top. If you sit there, you are expected to tip at least $1 per song. However, if you have a conscience and a pulse, you will end up chipping in a lot more. You can sit elsewhere here and not tip, but I like it at the rack. The dancer will sometimes sit on the table and get up close and personal with you. Here's the deal: She can touch you, but you can't touch her. The ladies are in control here. I found virtually all of them to be down-to-earth, smart and funny, and, of course, alluring. They dance here b/c they WANT to, not b/c they need to.