To work in a Gentleman's Lounge, but with a twist...
Hi Ladies,
I'm just looking for a bit of advice, and after referring to this site on a few occasions, I believe you can offer me some good answers.
For the past few years, I have been teaching myself pole dancing at home. I came pretty far, in the way that I taught myself tricks such as the handspring, no handed gemini, extended butterfly and the jade split (yay).
During the whole time, when I had my pole, the thought always came into my head of working as an exotic dancer in the nearest gentleman's lounge. I considered all of the advantages, and the possible negatives that I would face.
I recently moved in with my boyfriend, but where we live, means that I am unable to have my pole back up. After being without it for several months now, the thought of being an exotic dancer is ever-increasing. Plus, I am currently unemployed and so the money I would earn would be a huge bonus.
To get a better understanding of what it would be like to work there, (as it isn't like the movies), I visited two local gentleman's bars, and loved it. The atmosphere was great, good music, stylish decor, and all of the women were so friendly and looked like they really enjoyed their work - which is exactly how I had anticipated. However, the stage pole was all alone the whole while that I was there. No one went on it.
That aside, the only set back for me which I face, is my lack of body confidence. I keep telling myself that once I get into it, my confidence will come. But the idea of revealing all of myself to anyone who isn't my boyfriend terrifies me.
Now, I understand that most of the money an exotic dancer makes isn't from dancing on stage on the pole, it is usually from giving private dances. I just wondered if it would be possible for a club to consider paying me a small amount for just dancing around the stage pole for the night. It would be a win win for both me and the business - especially seeing as no one was on the pole the whole time I was at the club. I would be glad of a pole to play on, the extra cash being a bonus, and the club wouldn't have to worry about the pole being left bare. Does anyone know if this would be possible, or has it even been done before?
Thanks guys!! :)
Re: To work in a Gentleman's Lounge, but with a twist...
A club wouldn't pay you to do that. Every entertainer is different. Some girls include pole work in their sets, and some don't. At the end of the day, all the club cares about is making money.
Being able to do pole work is definitely a plus for you if you want to become a dancer though! If you have to work on your body confidence like you say, try yoga, meditating and working out. (Along with healthy eating of course!)
Re: To work in a Gentleman's Lounge, but with a twist...
No I don't think any club would ever go for that. Maybe you should look into gogo dancing at nightclubs. I think some of them have poles....
Re: To work in a Gentleman's Lounge, but with a twist...
haha no! there is probably NO club in the country that would do that. in fact, clubs are going to ask YOU to pay THEM once you start dancing. the reason girls don't touch the pole is that pole work isn't as appreciated as just giving the guys attention at the stage ( unless its a stage club..this one is obviously not).
so if you are going to be a dancer you can do your pole work, but you will only be paid for it by the men at stage, and of course you are going to have to do private dances to make money and then give a cut to the club.
so yeah, maybe look into some other kind of dancing because that wont happen with stripping..the club doesn't care about the pole being used as long as they are making money from private dances and champagne rooms
Re: To work in a Gentleman's Lounge, but with a twist...
Besides none of the girls would appreciate an "official stage girl" you would be taking money from them, depriving them of the ability to showcase themselves. Also, pole work and stage dancing is extremely difficult on your body. I doubt you would last too long if say your offer was accepted. Personally I make all my money on the floor and prefer to minimize my stage time, it's just too hard on my body.
Re: To work in a Gentleman's Lounge, but with a twist...
As everyone has already said, no club will do that.
If you just want to pole dance, are there no studios in your area? Many studios have "open pole" sessions, although you usually have to complete a few classes first.
If you want to be a dancer, just be a dancer. It's true that most of the time, pole tricks don't make you extra money. That being said, I have seen girls do well off it in a few instances. Usually they are really good and put on a good show. Also, being the only girl who does pole tricks may be an advantage. In my experience, the young weekend party crowd responds most to pole work, so look for a club that draws that kind of crowd.
But as you said, selling dances is where most money is made. Even if you don't get big tips on stage for your pole work, you'll still be able to make money that way and you'll still be getting to pole dance.
Re: To work in a Gentleman's Lounge, but with a twist...
Unless you become a feature dancer (win competitions, get some titles, do porn or become otherwise known in the adult industry), there is no way you will get paid to pole dance in a strip club. With house fees accounting for a fair bit of income to the club, unless a dancer can bring in a crowd, they're losing out by paying you (even simply not charging you would put them in the red). There are more than enough dancers willing to pay to take their turn on stage and make some money, sorry girlie.
What you could do is sell your shows to regular night clubs and special events, just like any other independent artist.
Re: To work in a Gentleman's Lounge, but with a twist...
Can I ask a club to pay me because I'm the only one with big tits? ::)
Nobody is going to give you money because you're the "only one". Chances are you're not. The smart dancers realize that pole tricks are chump change. They're too busy hustling for the REAL money. But hey if you want to waste your time exerting yourself for nickels and dimes be my guest. ::)
Re: To work in a Gentleman's Lounge, but with a twist...
I hate dancing onstage and I know lots of pole tricks... it's just not enough money for the effort. For me anyway, sometimes I see girls bring buckets and buckets of bills, never happens to me but I hustle dances vips like a mofo =)
Re: To work in a Gentleman's Lounge, but with a twist...
...most dancer shifts are 7-8 hours a night...you can do pole tricks for that long? yway, forget it, the dancers pay the club to dance on their poles/stages and men do not tip b/c they're impressed with the pole work. They tip when you take it off..and lapdances..usually doesn't go over well the boyfriend.
Re: To work in a Gentleman's Lounge, but with a twist...
I know a girl in Virginia, somewhere on the coast, haven't seen her in a while, but we were friendly and she would come down south to work at my club every so often. She said up there you worked stage for 2 hours, all monies were from stage, then you switched clubs (3 - 4 times a night). I have no idea where you live, but that is the only time I have EVER heard of a "stage-only" situation and BTW she hated it, said it was tiring and not enough money.
Some clubs have Pole competitions (mine did, but the most you could win was $500 once a year). If I were you I would ask the DJ to put you on once you get in and settled, that way you can start the night off showcasing your talents, that will also make you stand-out especially if no one else does pole tricks. Then try to get on again at prime time 11:00 - 1:00, unless you have a VIP (which hopefully you will).
Also I worked at a club, where if the girl wanted to do a stage show (one girl did body paint, another country western) I did school girl "Hit me Baby One More Time", corny, but especially if you use props (like whipped cream, that you can get the money to stick too and the guy can come up and drop it on a body part covered in whipped cream haha), you can make decent tips. Also it makes you memorable for the evening and gets the audiences' attention, they may not buy a VIP tonight (but many will - you're the "standout"), but the regulars will remember you and your performance and maybe get a VIP next time.
Re: To work in a Gentleman's Lounge, but with a twist...
Thanks for all the advice guys. I suppose I didn't consider the side where the club wouldn't really be willing to pay you for just dancing on the pole all night. In this industry it really is more about the dancers making their money from private dances, paying their share to the club thus keeping them in business. Also, I wouldn't want to be depriving any dancers from their time on the pole, in order to attract more potential private dances - at the end of the day, this is their income! I wouldn't be surprised if some of the dancers didn't like me for this either - and that's only fair. I just enjoy pole dancing more than anything - it's my life! I don't think I would ever have the confidence to work as an exotic dancer, giving private dancers and getting completely naked. More than anything, it's a hard industry to work in, where all the girls have to be strong, physically and mentally, wise to many things and overall very very brave! I take my hat off to you all! Who knows, maybe one day in the eventual future I might give it all a go... You only live once! :)
Re: To work in a Gentleman's Lounge, but with a twist...
If you are so passionate abt pole dancing (& I am right there w/ you -- it is like my crack cocaine) have you considered taking the steps to get your instructing certificate? The best teachers of any subj are the ones who are passionate abt what they do.
Plus you will get all the pole time your heart & body can handle, w/ ppl who actually appreciate your efforts instead of w/ catty girls, Communist mgmt & cheapass handsy customers.
This is def smtg I will eventually be looking into for myself. I found my passion for pole in the clubs & basically did a nice self-study programme courtesty of the University of Utube.