Jennie I.
Google
My partner treated me to my first ever hustler club for my birthday, and it was a night that I'll never forget!
It was a Sunday on MLK weekend when I visited. My partner paid for the club's entry fee, so I honestly can't say much on their prices. I was just so intrigued by what took place behind the doors of a spot I was once too nervous to walk into.
Upon entering, I saw a few people sitting around a stage where a dancer was performing. The music was loud, clear, and lively enough to dance along to. However, it was tough to be excited when the dancer herself didn't look happy to be there.
A majority of the dancers were disengaged with the audience, using tricks to keep focus on their routines (e.g lip-syncing the words). I don't judge them for that- who knows what awful guests they've dealt with- but seeing a series of dancers get on stage with empty expressions and low effort stunts made me sink into the dark reality of these careers. In no time, I found myself longing to take each of them far away from this club and from Bourbon Street, and hide them away from prying eyes.
It was because of this that I needed to walk away at several points. I had a couple drinks at the bar, and it tasted exactly like sparkling water with a hint of cherry- the flavor just out of tongue's reach. I also went to their restroom, which was incredibly cramped; there were two guests arguing in there, and I awkwardly had to squeeze myself behind them just to get into a stall.
Fortunately, the night got a lot better after my final bathroom break. When I approached my partner who had been sitting in his seat, he handed me a $50 and said, "Go tip that girl."
There was a new dancer on stage: petite, short dark brown hair, and most of all- happy. At least, she seemed happy. She was the only girl who made eye contact with the audience, displayed epic moves, and smiled throughout. I gave her the tip, and she giddily invited me to stay longer for a private dance.
While I won't get into specifics, I will say that she was an excellent dancer and an even more wonderful conversationalist. I hoped my efforts to connect- even for those few minutes- were enough to show that I was grateful for her courage in doing this for a living.
Maybe I'm too soft-hearted for clubs like these, but still, it was a night I'll remember for the rest of my life. While most of the performers looked disinterested, the drinks weren't great, and the bathrooms cramped, it was all worth it just to see that one great performance on my special day.
