Don't judge a book by its cover

I was in the lovely state of South Dakota for work, but you can't see the natural beauty of the land after the sun goes down. Therefore, I had to stop by the Belle Starr in order to try to observe some nocturnal natural beauty, and I'm pleased to report that my efforts were not in vain.

I had definite reservations about even visiting the club after my online recon prior to arriving in town, as the pictures I found on Google made it look like a total dump. Fortunately, I had absolutely nothing better to do, and I was rewarded with finding the Belle Starr to be a somewhat charming dive bar with a solidly 90s vibe. The club is essentially a large, open room measuring about 100 feet long by 40 feet wide. There is a single dance stage along the far eastern wall, perhaps 20 feet long with enough rail space for about a dozen patrons, and mirrors along the corner behind it. The bar is adjacent to the stage, with a rail that snakes back and forth for about 40 feet. The west end of the club (approx. 40 feet wide) could be mistaken for a typical sports bar, with multiple pool tables, a dart board or two, and some one-armed bandits. The private dance areas are located beyond a partition wall just a little more to the west.

I arrived shortly after 10 p.m. on a Tuesday, and I was charged a $3 cover. The bar had several drink specials posted on a board, with prices ranging from $3 to $5 for various drafts, shots, and mixed drinks. Normally, I would order a Budweiser for price comparison purposes, but I couldn't turn down $3 Amber Bock drafts all night long. Closing time was 2:00 a.m.