First Visit on a Summer Saturday Night

I moved to the Columbia area within the past year and finally made it out to Club Vogue. Finding the club can be a bit tricky the first time. It is a back entrance on a side street off the business loop. My GPS initially told me I had arrived when I was still driving down the loop. Across the street from the entrance is a well-lit parking lot with ample parking. I had no hesitation leaving my car there. The club entrance is a subtle glass door with the club's logo marked on the door. A few of the dancers and staff were outside in a walled-off smoking section. The staff was very friendly throughout the place, the bouncer got the door for me and led me inside where I paid a $15 cover charge. He opened the next door which opened up to the main floor of the club.

I arrived a little after 10 PM. I assumed, being it was Saturday, it would get crowded quickly but there were only eight to ten customers already in there. Going through the door you are met with a small, hexagonal stage with a single pole and plenty of seating around it. No one was gathered there. Beyond the small stage was a larger, rectangular stage with two poles. One of the dancers had just finished their two songs. This stage had plenty of seating around it and there were plenty of swiveling chairs paired next to small, round tables spread amongst the floor. I had asked the bouncer if he could break up some larger bills and he pointed me towards the juice bar at the left end of the club. Above the juice bar were a few TVs and there was another, larger TV in the opposite corner of the club just beyond the larger stage. All were airing the NFL Network. At the juice bar, they provided me with a fountain drink that was complimentary. They also had other caffeinated beverages for sale. Keep in mind this is Missouri and alcohol cannot be sold in topless clubs. From previous reviews, I read that they own a small, connecting bar that sells alcohol, but is technically not part of the club but can be accessed from the club to skirt that law. When I asked about it, they said it was closed and a dancer later told me they were working on getting their liquor license. I took my drink, found a seat at one of the swiveling chairs between the two stages, and took in the club's vibe.

I would describe Club Vogue as eclectic. The carpet had a formal, lattice-like pattern that seemed appropriate for a bank. It contrasted well with swiveling chairs that, as my eyes adjusted to the stage lights, noticed were a greenish, leopard print. On the far wall from me (to the right when you enter) were large booths that looked a bit out of place. There were more behind the large stage. There is a second-story landing that overlooked the main room which prompted me to ask one of the dancers who sat with me later in the night what the club was before it was a strip club. They had no idea as Club Vogue has occupied the building for years.