Saved by a Belle.

Was in the North Woods to photograph the fall colors (I'm a retired journalist, still a photographer). Managed to squeeze in a couple hours in the Hayward area Friday night. Had visited Phipps for the first time four months ago, and had to make a return trip while in the area, to see if it was as good as my first impression. Yes and no.

Got there shortly after opening time (assuming that's still 7 p.m.), and was fairly impressed that pretty much the whole lineup of girls was present and accounted for. Well, sort of accounted for. They had six names on the board, but I think I counted seven.

Not surprisingly, the layout hadn't changed. One of the regulars told me it hasn't changed in decades. Two stages, forming an "L" shape in the corner opposite the entrance. Each had a pole in the middle, so I suppose could be used for two separate dancers if it's busy. But I haven't seen it used that way.

Bar is down one wall just inside the door, and behind the bouncer/cover collector there's a semi-private area for lap dances. Not really very private, though you can't see what's going on from the main table area. But if you rubber-neck it, you can see in when you enter the club. The floor between the bar and stage has 10 tables (I actually counted this time) and there are five chairs at stage, plus a half dozen stools at the bar. A pretty small club, but it is in the middle of nowhere, after all.

I'll change one thing I said in my previous review. It is somewhat of a bar that has strippers. There were a few guys there, obviously locals, who were only paying minimal attention to the girls. But the girls all seemed to know them and didn't really mind.