Centerfolds - the only game in town in Thunder Bay. It's alright.
Okay. Welcome to the only strip bar remaining in a fairly isolated smaller city (some sites put "metro" at around 123,000). To get to any larger city from Thunder Bay you've got a 7-8 hour drive (Winnipeg and Minneapolis).
Been going on and off to Centerfolds for quite a while (since the days when there were 5 strip bars in town and not down to only this one). If you're curious the other four were The Runway, Bunnies, St. Louis Hotel, and the one that was running "most recently" (likely a couple decades now) besides Centerfold - changed names many times (Terry's, Private Eyes, Paradise Island, etc.). I believe the Runway burnt down, the St. Louis was condemned and torn down, Paradise Island was torn down, and the building for Bunnies was made into a sports bar/restaurant called The Fast Lane Bar and Grill - it survived until COVID but has shut down sometime in or since then. Other older strip bars are before my time (i.e. Uncle Sam's)
At Centerfolds there isn't and hasn't ever been a cover or a VIP area/room. At one time I believe Centerfolds had food, but that was in the very distant past. There are fast food, chain, and other restaurants in the nearby neighbourhood. Hours changed a few years back; Centerfolds still runs Monday to Saturday but isn't open in the afternoon anymore - now opens at 5pm (still closes at 2am). If you go in the early evening, at or near starting, there will likely be about two girls around somewhere; by mid evening and later usually at least six.
Up until a few months ago lap dances were usually done in the corner tables in the "upper level" - if you go to the back just past the stage up a couple stairs and in the near left and near right corners. Now there are 3 tables with a pair of chairs curtained off on the upper left side. There used to be a couple working (one more often than the others televisions) in the upper level, now the only functioning one is at the bar. Still has the one bar pool table inside. Since COVID, there has been some upgrades (couches added in one area) and minor repairs (changed and fixed the outdoor sign) and changes (metal trough in men's washroom instead of a few urinals) but the building still does show its age in many ways.
As of a few months ago the standard price for lap dances was $20; a lap dance lasted one song. Might still be that way, but on my last visit, one of the dancers (Blondie) I've seen before now charges $30 per dance (and now so much for 15 minutes and so much for longer - so a discount on the $30 if you get a handful or more songs). Got a beer not long after opening and the cost was $8.
The standard lap dance, you are generally allowed to touch (except in groin area). Those that don't allow you to touch or restrict areas more will often tell you before you start a dance.
Most dancers working are touring from out of town; locals aren't common. Some come in for a week (and sometimes two) once a month, some you see less often. Haven't been there in later evening much post-COVID so I don't know the state of if, how often, or how many, freelances commonly work.
If you run into Jasmine, I can personally recommend her (young black woman with no tattoos, I'd say thin but her breasts and butt wouldn't qualify - not huge, but larger than average for her frame) for lap dances. She's typically been in about once a month for a week. Seen her at least a handful of times. Very pleasant personality, doesn't pressure you, and gives a much above average (for Centerfolds at least) lap dance.
