First Follies Visit

My first ever visit to Follies was good, starting with meeting shadowcat and another Tuscler for a rundown. Early Sat. afternoon visits aren't known for having the strongest shift, so I was surprised driving up to club (located in a semi-industrial area across from blue collar oriented shopping center and next door to auto supply store) to see rather modest parking area to be ~ 85% full (1245pm). I'll break report into topical sections.

COSTS/ORIENTATION: This afternoons cover charge was $5. I spot a metal detector, got a perfunctory pat down from female door cashier. Upon entering club, it is dark, but not quite cave dark as some Spearmint Rhino clubs. Walking straight in. I see the large bar with a stage wrapping around it both ends. On the left is 2 rows of semi-plush theater style seating facing the bar, and a long lapdance couch facing the mirrored wall. There are some floorside tables with elevated chairs on left side where I spot shadowcat in a corner. The right side of club has slightly more tables, and the restrooms in the back. Apparently, VIP rooms are scattered about the club. As my visit was brief (1 hour planned, 1+30 actual) with a long drive ahead of me, I opted for non-alcoholic drinks which were $4.25.

ATMOSPHERE/STAGES: I'd say club was about half full, many tables taken, stageside area wide open. There was only one dancer at a time up on stage who all favored the stage on right side. Stageside interaction was YMMV, mostly perfunctory, but a few gave good contact. Noise level was just loud enough to make conversation a little challenging, but not painfully loud. I appreciated lack of DJ patter. I spotted a few smokers, ventilation was such that I never really noticed the odor. Might be a different animal on a SRO night. Restroom was OK with 3 pissers, 2 crappers, and no bathroom troll on this shift.