How to get hired at an Upscale Gentlemen's Club

As far as cities go, Los Angeles reigns superior when it comes to weather, career opportunity, food and nightlife, etc. In exchange for all of these wonderful perks, it ranks the absolute lowest for strip clubs. Being from here, I was unfortunately subjected to the LA strip clubs when I first started dancing. I grew up watching VH1 classic music videos like Motley Crue's Girls Girls Girls which was filmed at The Seventh Veil on Sunset Blvd. There was a distinct thrill and glamour that I associated with stripping at a young age. You could only imagine my disappointment when I would audition at these clubs only to be greeted with wage theft, sleazy managers and customers who take a bargain hunting approach to soliciting illegal services. After doing my (brief) time at these questionable establishments, I knew I had to upgrade. There was only one very upscale club in the area that had a reputation for being one of the hardest clubs to get into at the time, so I had a customer take me as a guest and made it happen. 

After working there, I knew moving forward that dancing at an upscale club was the only way to go. One of the most important things in a club is safety immediately followed by money making potential. As dancers we are statistically more likely to experience  stalking, theft and even murder, so being at a club that's ran professionally with security that will protect you is non-negotiable. Our work is also highly stigmatized and affects our relationships with friends and family, dating and mental health. What's the point of carrying the stigma if you aren't making significantly more than a conventional job? Working at the best club in your area should be one of your top goals.

Here's a guide on how to get hired based on my experiences: 

Conduct Field Research

So many people have told me that if I wanted to get a feel for a club I was interested in that I should check out their Instagram. I found this advice to be trash. Most club accounts feature their bottle girls instead of the dancers, or they only showcase the same three girls which may not even work there anymore. If you are serious about wanting to be at the top clubs (which you should be) then go down there and check it out yourself! If you are new to the area or are unsure as to which clubs are the best, download The Dancers Resource App where you can search club reviews and do a little online research: 

You can go incognito and go as a customer and observe the dynamics of the club: the energy and pace, the clientele, and most importantly, the dancers. Pay special attention to the top earners: their appearance, their stage presence and how they go about taking customers to the VIP. 

When I visited the club as a customer, one of their veteran dancers approached us. I had told her that I was checking out the club because I was interested in dancing there and asked her if she could give me the rundown, after we tipped her of course. Since we were generous, she gave me a lot of intel and even introduced me to the manager to set up a time to come audition. Now this may not always be the case, but it still helps to get information directly from the source and if a dancer is offering that, be sure to tip her accordingly. 

Look the Part

Upscale clubs draw attract high-end clientele. You would never see a polished, wealthy man strut around town with an unkempt woman, the same applies to the club. Invest in your looks and get your hair, nails and eyelashes prior to the audition. Drybar offers $39 for dry styling if you don't want to spend the extra cash on a traditional blowout. For nails, the french manicure is best. For makeup, do a full glam that looks natural by utilizing a nude/pink color palette. Eyelash extensions are best (classic or hybrid) but if you must do strip lashes opt for the half lash or a natural looking style. Tattoos aren't usually welcomed in high-end clubs so if you have them cover them up with stockings or dermablend makeup. Pick a lingerie outfit that looks high-end, we have plenty of options here.

Make an Impression

The top gentlemen's clubs are notorious for turning people away, so don't fumble the first impression by showing up in dingy sweats! A fitted maxi dress is ideal. Some girls never even get to meet the manager because the bouncer will write them off, so it's in your best interest to make friendly conversation with them. When you do meet the manager, greet him with the same professionalism you would show in a traditional job interview. Make direct eye contact, smile and give him a firm handshake. When he asks about your previous experience, tell him you danced at "xyz" gentlemen's club in a nearby state, it conveys that you know how to work the upscale crowd. If there's another gentlemen's club in the area, you can also say your big spending regular recommended this club and that he wants to see you here! 

The Audition 

This is your time to shine! If picking your music is an option, select something slow and sexy. Anything by Two Feet is my go-to. If the club happens to be a little more high energy, ambient house like Bob Moses or Zhu works well. Refrain from any aggressive rap. Remember, managers aren't just looking at your performance, they are also looking out for how you engage the audience. If there happens to be someone sitting at the tip rail, crank up the seduction level and give them a sensual performance with lots of eye contact. No one at the tip rail? Steal the attention from anyone sitting in the audience and get them there. If the club is empty, then work your charm on the hiring manager. This goes without saying, but no twerking of any kind should take place. 

If the manager decides to pass, it's worth it to find out why they decided to go in a different direction. Don't take it too personally, often times clubs do have a full roster or have a certain look that they hire. Find out when you can audition again and work on leveling up in the meantime. 

Good luck!