After hearing rumors of troubles or...

After hearing rumors of troubles or declines, I made the rounds of my favorite D.C. strip clubs to check on conditions, visiting each club at least three times at different times of day in April. DC clubs are limited by local laws, so there are no lap-dancing or VIP room experiences. But none of the clubs has a cover charge; all are open until about 2am, or 3am on weekends. Good Guys on Wisconsin Avenue above Georgetown is smaller than the downtown clubs and is kind of a neighborhood strip club, well located for nearby residents and customers with cars. Men with coats or in more relaxed shirt-sleeves predominate but I saw several couples - and a few tables of women - on my three night-time visits. Many college age couples seemed to arrive just after midnight. Opening time is 11am. This street level club is narrow and deep with three medium size stages with functional stripper poles which are frequently put to use. The stages are high - perhaps three feet - so patrons eyes are about at the level of dancers’ waists when tipping. On stage tips must be placed on the stage and there is no tipping in garters. But dancers often provide good anatomical views as patrons approach to tip them. All seating is at tables; seats at tables in the center allow patrons to easily monitor all the stages. The club has three TV screens for viewing sports events on the walls. My beers were about $7 (plus a tip) as I recall. Food is basic but good and is a relative bargain here. On the other hand, music volume always seems quite loud, somewhat limiting conversation.

Good Guys has lots of attractive classical stripper dancers, who perform three at a time on the stages; usually about 12 are on duty, providing less variety than Camelot and Archies. On the other hand, patrons can see each dancer more frequently and can view all three stages at once. The atmosphere is friendly, earthy, informal, and loud. The dancers included at least one woman who has danced there for more than 10 years, and she was quite attractive and a great dancer. But after three visits I did not see any of the really glamorous girls or women (the 9s and 10s) that I can sometimes see at Camelot and Archies; Good Guys seems to top out at 7s and 8s at present. My personal favorites were Alexa, Candance(sp?), Caroline/Charlie, Jordan/Jersey, Michele, and Rikki - although I found it hard to understand dancers’ exact names because of the loud music. Approximate dancers schedules are available on the club website. The dancers are accomplished strippers and use the poles well, but there seems some emphasis here on spreading and providing anatomical displays for customers - facilitated by the high stages. I noticed that many patrons - including some college-age females - enjoyed this form of entertainment, giggling as they gawked and tipped the dancers. Dancers circulate after they dance to collect tips from those who did not tip them onstage; but I saw no hassling. Support staff here is almost invisible except for the waitresses and the front greeter (who checks ids and protects the club from crazies outside such as happened in 2007). I saw no sign of that stupid attack and customers and dancers are having a good time at this relaxing neighborhood club.