Any advice from dancers in Portland OR?
Hey there!
I'm pretty set on working as a dancer and have been doing a lot of research on my own (including visiting strip clubs in my area). However there is only so many articles you can read before you hit a wall information wise and it seems that Portland is a specific kind of dancing scene. I have considered going into a club and paying a dancer for her time to see if I couldn't get more information/advice, but I'm not sure if that would come off right and I don't want to impede on her time when she could possibly be making more money with someone else.
Anywho, I was wondering if there are any ladies out there who are in the Portland scene who know about what the climate is like? Everything seems to vary so much, but it seems like stage performances hold a lot more weight money wise here than in most cities and you can rely more on it than having to push VIP or lap dances. Is this true? If that's the case I'm so down and feel pretty confident on that front as I have worked as a cam model in the past. I am less confident with the physical contact aspect, but am obviously open to it, just want to know what to expect.
Thanks for your time
8)
Re: Any advice from dancers in Portland OR?
I wish. I so, so SOOOO wish you could make decent money on stage here still. Maybe it used to be in the past, and maybe it still is if you wait a year and somehow get onto night shift at Sassy's or Lucky Devil. Stage money is VERY hit or miss, mostly miss. Selling lap dances is till where the money is at, if it's even there at all. I stopped dancing 6 months ago because the money was so inconsistent. I would have $700 nights rarely, $200 nights usually, and occasionally the $20-80 nights that suck the life out of you and make you wish you were working at starbucks. I hear rumors you can still make stage money at 205, but you have to be willing to deal with a condescending disrespectful asshole of a manager who will tell you you need to lose weight at 100 lbs because it makes his 350lb ass feel better about himself.
I wish I could tell you something different... but if you want to make money in Portland, the market is incredibly oversaturated, and you will have to bust your ass and hustle. If you are outgoing, don't mind sales, and can be persistent in the face of lazy, cheap crowd who has their back turned to all the dancers while they watch the game on TV but turn around for a free glance once in a while, well... I wish you luck
I know I sound really jaded. It's cuz I am :D
Re: Any advice from dancers in Portland OR?
I really appreciate the honest advice and info! I work full time selling vintage clothing which is my main focus (not that I'm going into dancing cynically, I do plan on putting out a full effort) so this would be additional income. Sassy's was actually my first choice so far, I'd be willing to wait it out as I'm not necessarily desperate to find extra work. I've snooped your previous posts and gathered you've traveled and performed? what is your opinion on LA clubs? I've gotten a mixed bag of info, but I have a friend who lives down there who is a flight attendant, whom I get free flights from. Is that area worth checking out?
Re: Any advice from dancers in Portland OR?
Ah I never did go to LA. Just Portland and Seattle :) Actually I made okay stage money at Acropolis, but not great. The $$ was still in lapdances, but acrop is very low contact. The place is also falling apart though... if it rains, there is a leak right above the main stage pole and you get dripped on or have to watch for wet spots. Accident waiting to happen :O
Re: Any advice from dancers in Portland OR?
AHAAHA! Sounds like Portland! I am glad to hear there is low contact that makes me feel a little more confident. Thanks again :)
Re: Any advice from dancers in Portland OR?
Most of the clubs in Portland are pretty medium to high contact. There are only a few clubs I've heard of that have little to no contact and they're all older clubs that can be more difficult to get into. I know girls who will still sell lower contact dances at clubs, but they are much less likely to get dances to begin with. And Adrienne7 is totally right the money is super inconsistent. Some nights I make 40$ from one dance, others I go home with 300$ all from stage. A lot of the management are complete assholes and the majority of customers treat Portland strip clubs like bars that happen to have naked girls for free looks and girlfriend stores. It's a hard hustle and I couldn't imagine quitting my day job to strip here full time :(
Re: Any advice from dancers in Portland OR?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Caligynephilia
Most of the clubs in Portland are pretty medium to high contact. There are only a few clubs I've heard of that have little to no contact and they're all older clubs that can be more difficult to get into. I know girls who will still sell lower contact dances at clubs, but they are much less likely to get dances to begin with. And Adrienne7 is totally right the money is super inconsistent. Some nights I make 40$ from one dance, others I go home with 300$ all from stage. A lot of the management are complete assholes and the majority of customers treat Portland strip clubs like bars that happen to have naked girls for free looks and girlfriend stores. It's a hard hustle and I couldn't imagine quitting my day job to strip here full time :(
^ This is why I hated Pdx when I traveled there to work from ca. I tried 2 clubs up there & got the same kind of vibe at both one being more sleazy than the other. It's def true though about how the guys just sit there & hang out expecting the dancers to not hustle them for dances & act as though we should appreciate any tip they might give us on stage. Ugh I'm not dancing anymore thankfully but if I ever go back, I'm def avoiding Portland LoL
Re: Any advice from dancers in Portland OR?
Portland. Is. Awful. Dancing here is very difficult. Only the best hustlers are top earners, and they usually won't even yield $1,000 nights on a consistent basis. Granted, if you do ever decide to travel elsewhere, it'll likely be easy. You've got your work cut out for you here, and you'll learn a lot about hustling because of it. The good clubs here are very inconsistent, and of the three clubs that are, one has way too many dancers, one is a consistent $150 a night in stage money, and one won't hire you unless you're a total Barbie. I'm not trying to deter anyone from trying Portland out. You're still making above minimum wage, and dancing is pretty fun. But it's not like the movies here. It's very exhausting, sometimes yielding little to no results. Just be prepared.
Re: Any advice from dancers in Portland OR?
^ sounds about accurate :) I miss dancing, but not in Portland. Would have to travel...
Re: Any advice from dancers in Portland OR?
You dont sound jaded, rather real and honest