slumming'

I don't live in Topeka -- thank god -- but I roll down US 24 to visit relatives and this bar is a short few blocks off route. I and no one else goes to this neighborhood bar/strip club for ambiance. I will guarantee an evening visitor will see more than one tattooed dancer with a beer gut, endless pool games and a few ancient regulars. It looks like a rough place, but I've never seen anyone give anyone else a hard time in here. The bartenders are cute, cuter than most of the dancers, and friendly when dispensing cheap beer.

I've found through the years there's a good chance there will be one or two dancers who make an evening visit worthwhile. Sometimes, unaccountably, they can be quite beautiful. I've also a weakness for pretty African American dancers, and this bar often delivers on that score.

A recent Saturday night stopped by, and nursed a beer through a parade of uglies on the small stage. There was a dread-locked AA dancer who fell within my would-do zone who caught my interest when I literally ran into a much cuter AA dancer coming out of the dressing room. We set down at a booth to get acquainted while she waits for a chubby dancer to finish her set to take her turn on stage. Her hands are very active, and I follow her lead. After her set, I pay the $6 to take her back to the non-VIP but still screened off dance area. It's DFK, DATY, titty sucking and gear shifting. After two $10 dances, the little sales lady asks if I'd like more while unzipping my pants. Eight dances later, I bid my new friend a reluctant but happy goodbye.

I'm certain my travels will take me by again.