Best Overall Value in Sacramento

Arrived at approximately 10:00pm on a thursday. Parking is free, and while I have never had to, if the parking lot is too cramped there's an auto parts store across the street with a parking lot that is pretty much empty in the evening. Typically, if you arrive later in the evening or at night you will see a bouncer standing outside the door or close to the side of the building. Usually, it's a big, burly fellow who looks dour, but if you give him a smile and a nod he'll usually give you one back. The club is located in an industrial part of town in close proximity to the other 2 clubs in the area, but it's generally a safe place and I have yet to hear or see cars get damaged or broken into.

Once you walk in you need to pay a cashier at the counter before you can go through the door into the club proper. Oftentimes, the cashier will offer you the choice of paying $5.00 extra to the regular cover charge of $20.00 to get a 6-month VIP card that gets you into the club without a cover charge. What they don't tell you is that only $10.00 of the $20.00 cover charge is considered a cover charge. The other $10.00 is considered an "Entertainment Fee" which means that the VIP card is really a 1/2 off card. Now, financially speaking, the card is still technically worth it, because if you pay the extra $5.00 to get it then you save $10.00 off the next visit and any subsequent visits in that 6-month period. The problem is the deception, and what leaves an extra bad taste in the mouth is that the deception seems totally unneeded. All that needs to be said is, "Pay $5.00 for a 6-month 1/2 off cover charge card. The next time you come the card will pay for itself and more." Just say that and I think a good number of people would see the worth in the card. If you want to get the 1/2 off discount without ponying up $5.00 you can look for a 1/2 off coupon in a free local newspaper called SN&R, but that involves going out of my way to find the coupon each week and I simply won't be bothered.

Once you pay the cover charge and enter the club itself you will find restrooms to your immediate left, a beverage bar to your front, and one stage in the middle of the club surrounded by chairs, small tables, and couches in the back ringing the interior of the club in a semi-circle. There are several TV screens placed against the back of the walls and higher up closer to the ceilings, and a DJ booth where either an automated DJ voice system will be announcing the dancers, or a real live DJ if the night is late enough and there are enough customers to warrant a live DJ. Next to the DJ booth is the entrance to the backstage for the dancers only, and at the back of the main area of the club are two entrances that lead to the private dance area. In my opinion, Deja Vu has the best overall atmosphere and lighting of the three main strip clubs in the area. Pure Gold feels very comfy and cozy, but the music is too loud and sometimes it can feel a bit too cozy, as if I should be taking a nap. Gold Club Centerfolds is the biggest and fanciest, but the decor feels very dated, and it has the most uncomfortable seating in my opinion. Deja Vu is very garish and neon, but the lighting and the music are actually quite suitable to the mood of a strip club, and the chairs and couches are comfy enough though not truly comfortable.