Enough of what I think – what do locals and tourists think is the best strip club in New Orleans?
August 6, 2012 — I have rewritten “The People’s Choice” to reflect the results of the site’s reader poll conducted over the past two months. The poll recorded 72 unique votes (voting was restricted by cookies and IP address) for what readers selected as the best strip club in New Orleans. The results of the poll are below, as well as the poll itself – so please cast your vote if you haven’t already done so.
Tied-10th.) Babe’s Cabaret
433 Bourbon Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 552-2565
Babe’s Cabaret Website
Babe’s went from dive to respectable almost overnight when the new management took over. While the drink prices aren’t a bargain (nowhere on Bourbon is), they’re slightly better than comparable clubs. You won’t pay $7 or $8 for a beer, but you will pay $5 and change for one. The prices for mixed drinks are the same. Price isn’t where Babe’s has an advantage over clubs like Barely Legal, Hustler, Scores, Temptations, etc. The girls here are consistently hotter than anywhere on Bourbon other than Penthouse and Rick’s Cabaret. The atmosphere is more relaxed. The girls aren’t pushy or overly aggressive. The staff is friendly. The clubs interior was completely renovated so everything is still like new. It’s a great spot that should’ve done much better in the polls.
Tied-10th.) Larry Flynt’s Barely Legal
423 Bourbon Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
Barely Legal Website
This may be the wildest of the Flynt clubs, but it’s by no means the wildest on Bourbon. The club really tries to push an upbeat, party atmosphere and hires as many 18-to-21 year olds as possible (but that doesn’t mean they’re all that young). Before you go, look outside the club or down Bourbon Street for guys handing out free admission cards. It’s very easy to avoid cover at Barely Legal. Otherwise, I think the name is what draws people. I can’t figure out why else people would spend money here.
Tied-10th.) Deja Vu Showgirls
226 Bourbon Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 525-5801
Deja Vu Website
This is the only strip club on Bourbon (besides Lipstixx) that allows 18-year-olds into the club. The drink and dance prices here are the exact same as Hustler Club and Barely Legal, but the quality of girls isn’t as high. Dances are $30/song, but some will bump it up to $40. Most people I know go here so they can hang out near the bar and not have to tip much. The club is very spacious and there’s plenty of seating near or around the stage. Cover is often free if you go early or on week nights. You can also pay $10 extra and have VIP access to the second floor/balcony (they have another stage up there as well). If you’re not looking to spend big this might be your place, but the dancer quality is noticeably different from the top clubs.
This is what Deja Vu would look like if it weren’t disgusting all the time…
Tied-7th.) Rick’s Sporting Saloon
522 Bourbon Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 522-2510
I shocked three people voted for Rick’s Saloon. That must have been all of the club’s regular customers. Rick’s Saloon tries desperately to appeal to people who want to go to a sports bar but also see titties. They’re the only strip club here that serves food (mainly bar food – wings, fries, etc). There’s a bar outside the stage area of the club where you can sit, order drinks and food, and watch sports on their TVs. The downer: the place is almost always empty. It’s further away from Canal Street than the other bars and strip clubs (“the less crazy end”) and doesn’t generate much foot traffic. I’m not sure many people know about it. Girls are mediocre. Prices are the same as everywhere else.
Tied-7th.) Lipstixx Gentlemen’s Club
420 Bourbon Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 244-0850
If you find yourself at Lipstixx, you know why you’re there. Either you’re looking to spend under $20 for the night or you’re looking for some comfort (and by that, I mean a prostitute). The place is shitty on the inside. The girls are more attractive elsewhere. If you’re feeling frisky, then check it out. But don’t go here for a traditional strip club experience.
5th.) Larry Flynt’s Hustler Club
225 Bourbon Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 524-0010
Hustler Club Website
I’ve personally never liked the Flynt clubs. I’ve always felt they overcharge on everything and prey on unsuspecting tourists who don’t know where else to go. Regardless, they get people in the door. In my opinion, this club is nicer than Barely Legal, in terms of interior and girls. They have two main stages (upstairs and downstairs) and an outdoor stage. VIP access is $10 extra (sometimes $5). Be mindful that foot traffic dictates pricing. The girls are pretty hot, but this isn’t the place to get touchy-feely. Semi-private dances start at $30-$40 per song and really aren’t that great, since they’re smack in the middle of the main floor. Champagne Rooms start at $350 and go up from there. I guess this is a fun place if you’re in a large group, but my advice is to go elsewhere. Clubs like this are the reason locals think of Bourbon as a tourist trap.
Upstairs VIP area of the Hustler Club
4th.) Temptations
327 Bourbon Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 525-4470
You’d never know it now, but Temptations used to be a premiere strip club in New Orleans. The once-magnificent building is now a decrepit, crumbling mess. The girls have almost no energy on stage. The club is dead except on weekends (sometimes) and they have trouble getting many girls to dance there. They push VIP hard and, from what I hear, the VIp rooms offer as much or more mileage here than anywhere in NOLA. No idea how this club was 4th.
3rd.) Rick’s Cabaret
315 Bourbon Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 524-4222
Rick’s Cabaret Website
Hands down, this is the most inexplicably popular strip club in New Orleans. The $20 floor dances enforce a very strict no touching rule (she can’t touch you, and vice versa), so you’ve got to shell out $60 just to be able to touch the girl. Drinks are pricy. Don’t expect to see many pole tricks since the main stage doesn’t have a pole. Don’t get me wrong, the girls look good but they are no better than Penthouse girls. The red velvet ropes seem to get everyone looking for a classier joint. This club was even nationally ranked. What the hell?
2nd.) Penthouse Club
727 Iberville
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 524-4354
Penthouse Club Website
This is the spender’s club of choice. The girls here are prettier than anywhere, the interior is nicer than anywhere, and you….have to pay for that. There are tons of floormen, so don’t expect to get too frisky on the bottom floor. VIP rooms are a little more “intimate.” However, if you want to just hang out around topless women – this is THE place to be. My personal favorite.
1st.) Visions Men’s Club
4000 Downman Road
New Orleans, LA 70126
(504) 240-0069
Visions Website
This is the king of the non-Bourbon clubs, located way out in New Orleans East. It’s open all the time and has the most consistent flow of customer traffic and girls. Since summer time is so slow for tourism in New Orleans, many dancers on Bourbon will go to Visions since it has a steady, loyal customer base. The U-shaped bar/stage is unique. The upside is that you’ll get your chance to see and interact with every girl that goes on stage; the downside is you’re forced to tip every girl – even the fugly ones (and Visions has some sketchy broads).
The poll results, as of August 1, 2012, are listed here in the graphic below (click to enlarge – the numbers are hard to see). The poll itself is below the graphic; if you do not see it, try refreshing your browser as it doesn’t always appear right away.
NOLA Strip Club Review 
I was speaking with someone about this today and he said Visions should be ranked first on any list involving locals’ choice for best overall strip club. He said Bourbon strip clubs are all overpriced and many of the same girls at Penthouse, Rick’s, Hustler, Barely Legal, Scores, etc. all dance at Visions.
I agree with all of this. Parking at Visions is free. You’ll save $1-$2 on beer, $10-$20 per song on lap dances, and $100-$200 on private rooms. There’s less hustle here than on Bourbon. There’s more mileage here than most Bourbon clubs. And many of the girls at Visions are the same girls at high-end Bourbon clubs (however, most strippers in New Orleans dance at multiple clubs; it’s not uncommon at all for strippers to dance at three or more clubs throughout the month).
But let’s not pretend that Visions doesn’t have its detractors. There’s nowhere to sit away from the stage. This means that the second you walk in the club you’re going to have to start tipping. I usually like to sit back the first ten minutes I enter a club, get my drink, and scope the place out. I like to get bearings no matter where I am. This also means you’re going to have to deal with girls trying to sell you lap dances and shots throughout the entire night. At a regular strip club, the girls will not bother you if you’re sitting at the stage. Since all seating at Visions is stage seating, the girls will approach you no matter what (although some customers may like this). Visions isn’t as nice as other clubs. The seats can be uncomfortable and don’t move or swivel (they’re bolstered to the ground). They don’t really have a main stage. And, while some girls at Visions may also dance at Rick’s and Penthouse – no one would compare Visions girls with Penthouse girls. They’re miles apart, especially on slow nights.
I’m not saying Visions isn’t a great club, but its main competitive advantage is its price. Everything else is comparable.
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I’ve been going to strip clubs in New Orleans for over 25 years and I prefer Visions Gentleman’s Club. It’s away from all the chaos of Bourbon Street.and I get the most for my money. The quality of girls may not always be there but unless you are extremely picky I don’t think anyone would have a problem finding a woman to spend time with. The $30 private dances are great especially in booths that are extremely comfortable. I find a lot of the younger girls don’t know how to hustle well. I like being pursued by a woman especially one who makes a game out of it. If you’ve seen one naked woman you’ve seen them all. I look for some fun and games now just to break the monotony. Thank You. Ray
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Visions is so much more relaxed than anywhere on Bourbon. Since it’s a locals club you won’t find the same hustle there as anywhere else. My main problem with Visions is that its standards have gone out the window. They will truly let anyone dance there. But you are correct that there’s usually at least a handful of attractive girls, and there’s always someone willing to sit and chat.
Another thing I’ve never addressed on here that seems to be an issue with some people: the neighborhood. No, it’s not great, but I’ve never felt my safety was at risk while going there. The parking lot is under constant surveillance and the club is well secured. It’s never been an issue for me.
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I agree with you about Babe’s, I’ve worked there on and off for a year and change and was surprised it tied 10th. It’s the next best thing to Rick’s and Penthouse. Managers are supportive and they run a clean club. From a dancer’s perspective, they’re one of the best; low house fee/tip-out, friendly co-workers who aren’t catty or about to steal your shit, and you’re not competing with blatant hookers selling it cheap a la Little Darlings. They have low tolerance for drugs and suspected solicitary behavior, which keeps the quality of girls up; the junkies and indiscrete prostitutes that slip between the cracks usually get fired within 1-2 weeks.
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Just read your blog – awesome! It’s pretty cool to have another NOLA blogger on WordPress. What other clubs have you worked?
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Does either of these offer private room rental for ladies’ party?
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Penthouse has Suites (called Junior Executive Suites and Executive Suites) that I guess could be either for men’s or ladies’ parties. Rick’s Cabaret might… I imagine they have something available. You might also check out Scores or Temptations. Temptations has a pretty cool room upstairs that’s used for bachelor parties. I wouldn’t even consider Stiletto’s, Lipstixx or Babe’s; they likely don’t have what you’re looking for. Hustler Club and Barely Legal might, be at an enormous cost.
What kind of party are you looking to have? Would you want strippers? Every club on this list has female strippers; are you looking for rooms with male strippers?
You might be better off renting a balcony on Bourbon somewhere and hiring entertainers to come to your party. At least that way you don’t get screwed on drinks…
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some friends and I are coming in from out of town for a bachelor party….we’re interested in a strip club that has a private/VIP balcony…I read that DeJa Vu has one but also that it might not be the best place to go…do any of the other clubs have balconies? thx -ronnie
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You’re correct – Deja Vu does has a balcony. It’s available to anyone that buys the upstairs/VIP pass (an extra $10 at the door). I’m pretty sure Barely Legal and Hustler Club have a balcony as well. You could try Scores or Temptations. I know Temptations has a pretty cool room used only for bachelor/private parties. Not sure if Scores has a balcony.
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does lipstixx have a up stairs? vip
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The VIP at Lipstixx is behind the club, in the courtyard. Actually, the lap dance area is also in the courtyard.
The VIP rooms are upstairs, yes. But other than that, everything else is on the ground floor.
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Hi! I admire your wordpress site! I’m trying my hand with squarespace, but I can’t say I’m the best at this blog stuff.
Anyway, a question for you: in Nola, are there any ladies’ clubs? Aka Chippendales’, or similar. (Or better, really!) It seems to me that with the rise of the Magic Mike films, this may be an untapped industry.
Any info you have is greatly appreciated!
Be well,
Maria
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There is one: LA Hard Bodies on the West Bank — http://www.lahardbodies.net/
I can’t comment on quality, but likely not as good as Chippendales in Vegas. It’s funny that NOLA is always ranked as one of the premier destinations for women’s bachelorette parties, but we really don’t have any adult entertainment for women. Good luck with your blog!
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Need the name of the club that had shadow boxs
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You’re thinking of Temptations. (On Bourbon St.)
Temptations has a silhouette screen in front of one of the stages, so people passing by the club can see the figure of the dancer on stage.
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