XTC is Back( For Better or Worse)!

I finally got the chance to check out the new XTC 2.0. It was not exactly a return to the old XTC 1.0 or Dallas Showclub era, but it was not completely dead either. The best way I can describe it is that it felt like an in-between version: familiar layout, familiar energy in certain spots, but with a much more controlled and cleaned-up feel than the old days. I went around 11:00 p.m., parked in the free parking lot, and walked straight to the entrance. Security patted me down at the door. The cover was $20, paid up front. The woman working the front was a middle-aged Eastern European/Russian-looking lady. She gave me a wristband and told me to keep it in case I left and came back, which was useful to know.

The inside setup was very similar to the old Showclub/XTC layout. The bar was still toward the back along the wall, the main stage was still the central focus, and the big spiral staircase still led upstairs. The main difference was the seating. Back in the old XTC/Showclub days, you could sit off to the left side and stay mostly out of the way while watching the room. Now, that area has oversized booth-style seating that seemed designed to function more like “sections.” It made the club feel less loose and more like they were trying to sell a higher-end lounge experience, even though the overall vibe still felt like XTC. It still had the bones of the old place, but the room felt more controlled and less chaotic.

When I walked in, there was one dancer on the main stage and a handful of dancers sitting around the stage area. Most were either on their phones, talking to each other, or watching the room. I would estimate there were about 10–15 dancers visible during the time I was there, counting the stage, floor, and seating areas. The lineup was attractive overall. The dancers mostly seemed to be a mix of Latina, white, and light-skinned Black women, with very few dark-skinned Black women visible during my visit. Most of the dancers had the thick, curvy, hip-hop-video-type body style that old XTC was known for. Looks-wise, the club definitely still has talent. The problem was more the energy and lack of approach.