An Afternoon at Hip Hugger: A Trip Back in Time

Stepping out of the bright afternoon sun and into the dim light of Hip Hugger is a jolt to the senses, it always takes a few for my eyes to adjust when I walk in. The HH is a truly old-school establishment. This isn't a modern, flashy club, but a no-frills, classic dive bar that feels like a trip back to a different era. One that feels like it hasn't been updated a LONG time.

With no cover charge, the entry is as easy as it gets. Inside, the single large room is laid out: a stage to the right and a couple of pool tables to the left, and a bar to the back wall. The decor is minimal, and frankly, it's probably best not to think too hard about the carpet. The one-drink minimum was enforced, with a bottle of water clocking in at $5.

On this particular afternoon, seven dancers were working, with one on stage at a time. Forget an in-person DJ; here, the dancers are their own masters, picking their tunes from the jukebox to set the mood. And the Mood was all over the place (country, rock, showtunes to name a few genres I heard.) The stage sets are not be Broadway-level choreography; it's a chance to see a more authentic, low-key performance. Although I do wish they put in a little more effort while on the stage. I walked up to the stage to tip and got no special treatment. If you don't tip at the stage, the girls walk around to each patron asking for a tip.