Plenty of character on a mellow midweek night

Tuesday evening about 9:00. A little bit east of the other clubs, but not a bad drive, likely walkable if you were into it. Neighborhood was pretty nice and there's a market across the street with plenty of well lit parking available. ---Going to say it again: Montreal is experiencing an epidemic of auto theft. Park smart! That's my PSA---

Approaching the club, there's a sign on the side of the building and just next to that sign are a steep set of stairs leading to double doors on the second floor-pro tip: you don't want these! I was halfway up when a chuckling doorman called me over to the proper, well lit and colorful entry that I can't believe I missed. I heard $5 cover before visiting and had the bill in my hand as I walked through the door-if there was no cover and that turned into a tip, I'm good with that.

Walking in, there's a long bar along the wall to the right, a circular stage in the center of the room with some funky lounge booths ringing the walls. Retro or old? Doesn't matter, they were comfortable. Dances take place to the left of the front door in little cubbies that are more or less open and the bathroom is downstairs.

Grabbed a beer at $9/CA-about the average for downtown-and took a seat at the bar. Halfway through my beer and I have yet to see a girl, so I went back to the doorman and asked him what the deal was. I get it, it's 9:15 on a Tuesday, they open at 7:00 and a lot of clubs don't get going until late, but if that's the case, I wanted to know. He immediately started towards the dressing room whistling and clapping his hands. In no time, there's three ladies coming out from the back. Glad I spoke up, as I was now the center of attention and very much loving it. Three dancers sounds lame until you picture just me in the club with them sitting around me-then it sounds pretty good, amirite?

After chatting for a bit, decided to try some dances in the back-a little bit of a cluncky process-first thing you do is go to the bartender to rent your cubbie booth. $2/CA, so no big deal. Headed back and the stripper, (Carmine/Carla?) asked if I was good with $20 a song, I said yes, then sat down right next to a sign saying $15 a song-when I pointed that out, she shrugged and said the sign is old. Normally I would stomp out of there and start over with the next girl, but I decided to give her a go and I'm glad I did. No extras, but I had an outstanding dance. Or three. She definitely put enough effort in that I was not worried about a couple of bucks difference per song!