First Time in Thirty Years

Back in the '80s, that corner of Hennepin and 5th Street wasn't among the friendliest. I remember one time, just walking along, minding own business, and a guy in front of Augie's shouted at me, "Hey! You like girls!" I shrugged and kept on walking, but he grabbed me by the arm and shouted at me again, the exact same words. I pulled myself free and hurried across the street. Yeah, not exactly a friendly invitation, even in broad daylight.

A few years later, the street barker was gone and I decided to venture in there. The place was pretty much just in black light, and I couldn't see a damn thing unless someone wore white or smiled. I had one Coke and luckily I was able to find my way out without inadvertently groping someone.

Cut to today. There's a booth at the front door where a person collects a $5 cover. You then place all of your metal objects, from coins to cell phones, into a small basket, walk through a turnstile (and presumably a metal detector), and then collect your items before entering the club proper, which is basically a very large room, painted black, with a small cabaret-style stage to the left, a bar to the right, I'm guessing bathrooms to the far end, and right next to the entrance, the doorman/bouncer/security. If you go around the corner from him, you'll find a small nook housing about a half dozen makeshift booths in which dancers give lap dances. Along the wall with the bar were a few tall tables and tall bar stools. Scattered throughout the club were smaller tables with chairs.