What happens in Vegas

It's the city of entertainment. And that nothing sells easier than sex is a truism. It is no surprise then, that strip clubs hold as much currency in Las Vegas as casinos do. And yet, you often wonder, what is it that really happens there? As someone who usually prefers the adventure of trailing the smoke to the fire over feeling satisfied with gullible gulps of gossip, a visit to the strip club topped my must-do list on my maiden trip to this vibrant city.

I really wanted company, you see, curiosity easily swings into fear when you're clueless and are about to take a risque risk in an alien city at night time. My biggest worry was: what if I land up in a shady place and get trapped? I asked a few, who I thought wouldn't be too judgmental; but a solo adventure it was meant to be. My safest bet was to arm myself with information. With a quick search online, I discovered that besides all-female strip clubs that men throng to, Vegas also has all-male shows for women! If you're straight, it's enough to spike up the thrill quotient, and the idea that there will be many other women besides you works like rum for your nerves. I wanted to check out both: see how men drool and women ogle, and which of the sexes offers more bang for the buck. The Internet had warnings for rookies too – all clubs charge an entry and offer a free pick-up service. Book your own taxi and you'll pay more as clubs then have to give the cabbie a cut. 

After narrowing down on five clubs based on reviews and proximity to my hotel (in case I wanted to flee!), I also made calls to gauge the vibe. They'd take care of your commute, but I was shocked to learn that if you're going for the women, you pay $15. Want a male show? Pay $50!!! That's more than the Airbnb rent in New Jersey. I couldn't help asking, "When women offer double the treat, why do you charge more for the all-male club?" The male ones are shows, they are 'choreographed', I'm told. But I'm not convinced – "each day, the male show surely can't have a new choreography". I never imagined a gender-based pay gap in strip clubs! 

It was already 10 pm, and not wanting to step out too late, I fixed on Sapphire Gentlemen's Club. Besides seeming classy, it has both all-male and all-female sections on its premises. The chauffeur arrived in 15 minutes. Relief! The place looked stylish, the staff elegant, and those lined up like me were dressed chic as if headed to a nice pub. By the time I was billed a receipt, my apprehensions evaporated. A bald, heavyset guard in a grey suit walked in my direction, but instead of escorting me to the all-male show, he informed me that it had just gotten over. "You must be mistaken," I insisted, "I was told it will be on for another hour. Your club sent the car". But "sometimes, they end early," he said. Furious, I requested a refund as well as free entry to the all-women's section as compensation. After the initial hesitation, the staff agreed. But the guard's next words "escort the lady to a table, she's braved it alone" sounded ominous.

Inside, the energy was electric – music, blue-purple club lights, and absolutely adult entertainment. Right in front were a few men seated in a semi-circle, surrounding the stage where a bikini-clad woman was romancing the pole. A similar act was being performed on the stage right behind her, partitioned from the first by a flight of sleek, glassy stairs that worked like a ramp. Other seatings, almost all full, were low tables with circular lounge chairs, barely any space apart. I was escorted to one occupied by a group of young Chinese men – some had one lap dancer for pleasure, one even had two! One of the strippers leaned provocatively towards him, her brasserie pretty much off.  I couldn't help but feel like an intruder. But the men barely noticed. Even if they did, they didn't seem to care. Uneasy with the direct view I had, I decided to scout around for a less happening spot and found one near the bar.

To my right, a stripper came over to a Chinese man and a few minutes later, a cute Caucasian walked in with a big-bootied white woman and well-endowed black one. The threesome settled right in front of me. While the Chinese man looked like he knew what he was doing, the Caucasian seemed new to scene – his duo spent a significant amount of time caressing his back, making small talk...easing him into things. Women at the previous tables I'd seen looked like they were enjoying themselves just as much as the men. But while the Caucasian's 'amours' shimmied into his face, treated him with their fronts and posteriors and moved on him in different positions while he sat; the mirth didn't reach their eyes. Aware I was looking every now and then, the ladies winked, like they were saying 'it's okay, we're not offended'. Tiny purses hung on all dancers' shoulders. Things got wrapped up way sooner on these tables than with the group I was previously planted with. The Caucasian turned out to be a biter, and was tactfully made aware that he could touch, not taste. Any suspicion – evoked by the orgasmic expression on the first Chinese man's face – that some were actually doing the act, was negated. One hour was up. Enough seen. Time to leave. 

On my way out, I saw men (some accompanied by women friends) and strippers of various races, age groups, shapes and sizes – Sapphire, it seems, likes to have something for everyone. When the guard asked how it went, I had to admit to him that by the end, I felt none of the initial discomfort. And to myself, that the women were in fact really good – offering the men the right dose of titillation, moves and merriment to keep them going back. The guard suggested I return too for the all-male show I'd missed. But I was due to leave in two days, and as it turned out, besides costing more, the male 'shows' run only from Thursday through Sunday, while all-women clubs are open all seven days. How odd!

During my visit to other American cities, when I brought it up with friends, some men who'd been to strip clubs said, strippers don't get paid; they only earn from lap dances. Electronic receipts maybe provided for entry charges, but transactions for lap dances are done in cash. Some clubs also have 'private rooms'. Moreover, though strip clubs are legal in Vegas, they argued, not everything that happens there may be.

To verify all of this first hand, I'd have to make another trip to desert-strip turned Disneyland. But Recalling the men at Sapphire, I'm left with one thought – be it for loneliness or lust, adult entertainment is a reality society can't wish away. And if that is so, society must invest in empowering those involved in it rather than shaming them. Wouldn't that be a more compassionate approach?