I love a seedy dive strip...

I love a seedy dive strip club and the Clermont is king. From the basement entrance to the curtain that serves as a ladies' toilet door, this place is low-down all the way. Cheap drinks and 2-4 dancers on rotation are the entertainment. Dancers range from cute but chubby punk gals to 60+ dancers in theme costumes. I don't claim it's sexy but it's sure as hell fun if you're not the type to instantly condescend or be rude -- only come here for a good time, preferably with friends. The stage is so far behind the bar that the dancers have to lean over very carefully to take proffered tips. Some of them get creative; Blondie crushes beer cans with her boobs, Jessica sticks matches to her nipples and lights them on fire.

Saturday nights are disco nights and the place is overrun by dancing youngsters. The strippers are still working with varying degrees of enthusiasm; disco fans aren't big tippers, I guess. This ranks with stripperaoke as a creative way to increase your bar sales.

This joint is a classic, like Mary's in Portland or Jumbo's in L.A. Long may it live!