Strip Club Paradise vs Tourist Trap
Las Vegas’ Palomino Club is Famous for its Wild Stage & VIP Shows
Vegas offers the best strip club deals in the world for people who know what they’re doing. But for the average tourist who grabs a cab to whatever strip club the cabby recommends, Vegas strip clubs can be the worst ripoff in the world.
The typical Vegas cabby takes you to a club that charges $45 to $55 just to walk through the door, and that’s after you’ve paid the cabby $20 for the ride. The typical club will also have a two-drink minimum that will cost $12 to $20 per drink – now you’re in $90+ dollars and you haven’t even had a lap dance yet.
To make it even worse, some of the most desperate strip clubs in Vegas tend to gouge the most, while offering a poor selection of dancers both in quality and quantity.
This is the kind of Vegas strip club that gets tourists screaming on Yelp about ripoffs.
And even the best Vegas strip clubs can feel like a ripoff if you don’t know how to work the angles.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. If you read this post, you can spend a lot less money for a lot more fun in some of the best gentlemen’s clubs in the world.
2018 Cover Charge Update
*Cover prices below are based on arriving by cab. If you’ve been to the clubs before you’ll note that most covers have recently gone up, but they can be avoided if you follow the tips below the chart.
| CLUB | COVER | COMMENTS |
|---|---|---|
| Palomino Club | 30 |
The only nude club in Vegas with a full bar; great dancer selection (130+ at peak hours); wildest stage show; cover is free before 8 pm or $10 after if you drive yourself (free for groups of 2 or more who take the free club limo – reserve by calling or texting 702-327-7258). See the club review page for other free admission options. |
| Deja Vu Showgirls | 35 |
Open bar (domestics & wells) 7 days a week from 6 pm to 10 pm. Free admission plus a free drink if you arrive by the free club limo (reserve at 702-308-4605 or text SGLV to 702-767-8118) |
| Little Darlings | 35 |
Nude club, no alcohol, age 18+. Admission is only $15 if you arrive by the free club limo. Call 702-366-1141 or text LDLV to 702-767-8118 to reserve your ride. |
| Cheetahs | 40 | Older topless club, reasonable drink prices, average dancer selection |
| Crazy Horse III | 44 | Large glitzy topless club, above-average dancer selection, late-night sushi |
| Treasures | 44 | Large fancy topless club, gourmet steakhouse, average dancer selection |
| Sapphire | 45 |
Elegant topless club in Vegas with an unsurpassed dancer selection (400+ at peak hours) and high-mileage lap dance scene. The way to do this club is with a drink package (available here) that gets you a discount on liquor, free limo, free admission, line pass and VIP table. |
| Centerfolds | 45 | Classy topless club with only average dancer selection, overpriced drinks |
| Sophia’s | 45 | Classy topless club with only average dancer selection |
| Hustler Club | 50 | Large glitzy topless club, above-average dancer selection. |
| Spearmint Rhino | 52 | Older classy topless club, high hustle factor |
| Floyd Mayweather’s Girl Collection | 50 early; 100 at peak hours | A luxurious black strip club with big-booty black and brown strippers. The club is pretty empty until 2 am, when it turns into an after hours party. |
Pro Tips for Getting the Most for Your Vegas Strip Club Dollar
KJC is a Sapphire Gem
1. Do not take a cab to a Vegas strip club. The major clubs all offer free limo service to the club. Not only do you save on cab fare, but if you take the club limo, you usually get free admission. You may be able to drink for the night on your savings.
2. Check out package deals. Sapphire (club review / club website) is a first-class club, known for its elegance, comfort, beautiful women, and high standards of service. It’s a club where it would be easy to blow a thousand bucks but it doesn’t have to be expensive.
Sapphire, for example, has a $15 reservations fee for their limo (call 702-869-0003 to reserve), but waives the fee if you purchase a two-drinks-for-$18 voucher, and they throw in free admission. That means, if you take the club limo, you get a ride to the club, two drinks, and admission for only $18 – a steal for a club of this caliber.
And if you plan to have more than two drinks, you can get an even better deal with one of the club packages. The solo package for $65, for example, includes $50 in drink vouchers plus a free shot, as well as free limo service, free admission, free line pass, free VIP table, and free host service at the most elegant strip club in town. There are also excellent package deals for groups and couples.
The cover charge for Palomino Club (club review / club website) has remained at only $30 for out-of-staters who arrive by cab (or Uber), but you can save that money for a lap dance if you simply call Palomino for their free round-trip limo service (reserve at 702-327-7258). Note that Palomino’s free limo service is for parties of two or more. If you’re alone, check out their package deals online that include drinks or a bottle, free round-trip transportation, free admission and a reserved table and you’ll find you can save money.
The Vegas Strip Club Taxi Wars
It may help you to negotiate the Vegas strip club minefield if you understand that the reason for the high cover charges for out-of-state visitors is the “spiff” (bribe) the clubs must pay to cabbies who drop off customers. This spiff right now is $100 per head. That means if you and two buddies arrive at a club via cab, the club will have to shell out $300 to the cabby for bringing you. In order to survive, the club must do what it can to get this money back from you.
The free limos and package deals at the Vegas strip clubs are not gimmicks. The clubs would prefer that your money go to your enjoyment, rather than to enriching cab drivers.
For a first timer in Vegas, which strip club would you say offers the best value? As in the ladies won’t try to goad you out of money. If I had $300 to spend at a strip club, tonight which one you recommend for the best time, high mileage lap dances included?
StripSearcher, with $300, and looking for high mileage lap dances, I’d go to either Deja Vu or Sapphire. At Sapphire, I’d get a package to get a break on the drink prices, free admission, a free ride to the club, a line pass, and a reserved VIP table. Then I’d take my time selecting from the large number of dancers for a night of high-mileage lap dances.
At Deja Vu, I’d call for the free club limo to get free admission and a free drink. Then I’d enjoy the stage show and a few high-mileage lap dances that I’d use to audition girls for a private bedroom dance (15 minutes for $150). I’d especially choose Deja Vu on a Tuesday night, when all beers, well and call drinks are $2 all night, to leave the most money for lap dances. Great deal, it draws a crowd, and that means a good crowd of dancers as well.
If your local and like lap dances where do you recommend for the hottest girls that will do the most grinding to completion? Also any club that will do HJ or BJ’s in private vip rooms? Or do u have to order a girl to your hotel room for gf experience?
Al, if you’re local, you can develop a list of favorites at a number of clubs who will meet your goals. If I name specific dancers at specific clubs, cops will just go in and shut them down.
Arnold. Youe awesome. Thanks for the site and your answers. So if we drive ourselves (gf and me) and buy a couples package that is as good as a cover right? My gf likes to drink I Will be driving.
Ron, yes, a package always includes your cover. You know, if you want it, it also includes round-trip limo service for you both.
My new girlfriend want to go to a strip club when we visit Vegas this weekend. I’ve never been so thanks for your info. When we book a package do we tip a doorman or host when we arrive? Lapdance focus will be on my gf. If she gets them at the table that’s one thing but for a private 3 for 100 do I just sit at the table like a loser? Ha or do I go with.
Ron, if you like you can tip the host a few dollars when he seats you. If you plan on using his services through the evening, for introductions and the like, tip a bit more.
If your girlfriend gets a private dance, you go with. Most dancers charge the same for a couple as for a solo person.
Thx for the fast response. So for example if she went for a 3 for 100 would we have to buy 4 drinks?
Ron, at Palomino there’s no bar requirement in the 3 for 100 private booth dances. At other clubs, if there’s a two-drink requirement, you’d have a two-drink requirement as a couple.
Going to be in town during Halloween for a meeting. Which place would you go to on a holiday like Halloween for overall fun time?
Lance, there will be great parties at Sapphire, Palomino, and Little Darlings. If you’re going on a Tuesday night, Friday or Saturday around Halloween, I’d include Deja Vu. Go to Sapphire or Deja Vu for high mileage lap dances, or go to Palomino or Little Darlings for a great nude stage show and high mileage private bedroom dances. Note that no booze is served at Little Darlings.
Is it true that there are no cover charges to get in prior to 7 pm at most of the big clubs (sapphire, spearmint rhino, etc..) and if so, do they still charge for drink minimums if you come in that early?
Jonny, at Sapphire, if you arrive by the free club limo (which is available 24/7) there is no cover charge anytime and no drink minimum. (Technically, they charge a $15 reservations fee for the limo, but it’s waived if you buy a buy-1-get-1-free drink coupon). If you arrive in a cab, the cover charge is $25 before 6 pm, $50 after 6 pm. Drink prices are reduced before 6 pm.
At Rhino, the cover charge is $20 before 5 pm and $55 after 5 pm. Sometimes they charge a drink minimum in addition to that at peak hours, but not in the afternoon. Drink prices are reduced before 7 pm.
At Hustler, it’s the same cover round the clock.
I know the charges are high if you arrive by taxi/uber, but do they still charge if you drive yourself?
Anonymous/Jonny? Most clubs do still charge you if you drive yourself if you’re not a local. *But,* if you tell them that you drove yourself and that you understood admission would be free if you drove yourself, just as it is for locals, you may get in free, especially before 7 pm. In other words, the official policy is to charge, but I’ve seen them bend the rules.
Or, you could go to Palomino, where free admission is guaranteed, with no cover, if you drive yourself or take the club limo and arrive before 8 pm.
Thanks. You seem really high on Palomino, but I know other places review it pretty poorly. Looking for the best hands on lap dance. Where do you recommend.
Jonny, read the comments under Palomino. Nobody reviewed it poorly. The people at other sites who review it poorly work at other strip clubs and are jealous of Palomino’s success.
But for hands on, you need to go for at least a 3 songs for $100 private booth dance at Palomino. For the best hands-on lap dances, nobody beats Sapphire.
What is the best strip club for lap dances and roaming above waste? Is spearmint rhino or sapphires better?
Is it weird to go to strip club by yourself? I’m in town for business and have no one to go with unfortunately.. any recommendations?
Brian, the best Vegas strip clubs for roaming hands are Sapphire and Deja Vu, no contest.
It’s not weird at all to go by yourself. I’m usually by myself when I hit the Vegas strip clubs. If you’re primarily interested in a high-mileage lap dance scene with a great selection of stacked dancers, I’d get a solo guy package and go to Sapphire.
You want the package for the VIP seating, free admission and drink discount. Peak hours start at around 10 pm and last until early morning. Let me know if you have any questions about specific nights of the week, etc.
Thanks for all the info, it’s a great help!
Which place would you recommend that allows for a little extra “roaming” above the waist on lap dances. It’s pretty strict where I’m from and wanted to have a bit more fun in Vegas on a tight schedule. I was leaning Palomino but would love your take. Thanks
HotRod, for extra roaming above the waist on lap dances it’s Sapphire or Deja Vu. Palomino has $20 lap dances but they’re usually not great for roaming. I’d to go Palomino if you have the budget for the 3 songs for $100 private-booth dances. Those are great for roaming too.
Best club for a couples night out?
Terry, I strongly recommend Palomino Club. See our post on the Best Vegas Strip Clubs for Couples Looking to Get Turned On.
Is there a service/site/provider you recommend for in-room dances?
Mike, I don’t, but from what I’ve heard from a number of friends and contacts they seem pretty similar. It all depends on what girl or girls show up.
Try to be clear with the dispatcher about your taste in girls and remember that the price the dispatcher quotes will get a girl to your room and undressed, but nothing more. Anything else you have to work out separately with the girl and pay for separately.
So prostitute is legal there? That’s what you made it sound like by having to talk about the price with the girl!!
Katina: Most people don’t consider in-room dances to be prostitution. But there’s not a set price for them and customers have to work out the price for what they want with the escort.
I prefer clubs where I can sit at the bar (alcohol or not) rather than at a table or next to the stage. What are the best clubs for that?
Chris, Deja Vu has a bar with a lot of seats and a good view of the stage from the seats. Palomino has a bar where you can sit and you can see the stage from the bar seats but the stage isn’t very close. If you go to Palomino when it’s crowded (Friday and Saturday nights), the second floor will be open and the bar up there has seats with an excellent view of the second floor stage.
At Sapphire there are multiple bars, but you have to stand at the bars and the stage is far away.
Little Darlings has a juice bar with seats and a good view of the back stage, which is used when the club is crowded.
Hustler has a bar with a few seats but far away from the stage. Legends Room has a large bar with a lot of seats but not a good view of the stage from there and they have very few dancers most nights. That’s a place to go only if there’s some big special event, like a big fight party. Rhino has seats at the bar but it’s not a great view of the stage–too many people standing between your seat and the stage.
Girl Collection has a dozen seats at the bar with a good view of the stage but the club doesn’t really get going until around 2 am.
At other clubs, I remember having to stand at the bar. So if there were seats, there weren’t many.
At all of these clubs, you will be approached by dancers at the bar.
Hi Arnold, Cancon here. I want to fill in my memory banks with information on
the most favourable (not necessarily the lowest) cover charge for frequent visitors (almost locals) to Las Vegas who always have a vehicle or rental car and drive themselves to the clubs fairly early. Palomino lets us in free before 8pm and gently reminds us to have at least 2 drinks each. Sometimes we pay a $10 cover. We do MNF at Saphires for $20 and remember to drink up the two free beer and bring a $6 beer with us into the main club before having to break into my wallet for ouch $15. How should we present ourselves at Deja Vu or Little Darlings to avoid the large cover charge? We spend money, but it’s on girls, not on cover charges. If there are only 6 dancers available at 7pm, we’ll always find a pair (of girls or boobies) that will entertain us for a 10 or 15 minute private dance. Is the cover at Deja Vu different on Tuesdays versus other weeknights? Beer at $2 or free doesn’t matter. Is Little Darlings always $35 for self drivers? Separate question – we know the touching rules, or lack thereof, at Palomino and Saphires. Should we always confirm with the dancers at Deja Vu and Little Darlings that my wife (along with me) wants to participate and get that touchy feely experience, with a tip of course? And here’s a weird question – have you noticed that dancers with fake boobs are more open than those with real boobs, or is just “Vegas baby” for all of them. Are the very young dancers, barely 18, at Little Darlings a little shy compared to a 30 year old? Inquiring minds want to know.
Cancon, the only way to avoid the cover at Deja Vu is to arrive by the club limo. Otherwise, it’s $20 each if you drive yourselves, $45 each if you arrive by cab. If you take the club limo, you also get a free drink for after the open bar closes. The cover is the same on Tuesdays.
At LD’s, the cover is $35 unless you arrive by the free club limo, in which case you pay the locals’ rate, which is $15 (or $20, if they have a special feature act that night). The only way there’s no cover at LD’s is if you go before 4 pm (I believe the exact time is 4:20 pm).
I’d say the best chance of getting around the cover charges would be to call the club and work out a custom package. If you pay in advance for some drinks and dances, particularly a private bedroom dance, you may be able to get the cover waived.
But both Deja Vu and Little Darlings will be comfortable with couples. I would definitely confirm with the dancer the extra touching you guys want, especially at Little Darlings. I’ve never noticed a big difference between dancers with fake boobs vs real. It’s just dancer by dancer.
The 18-year-olds at LD are definitely more iffy on mileage. For many of them, this is their first dancing gig. I would sit on the stage and tip and watch for dancers who initiate high contact with you both directly from the stage. Little Darlings has recently had a policy where you pay for a lap dance or private-room dance at the door to the VIP in front of a host so he knows that you’ve paid the house rate. Because you’re paying the house rate, a lot of dancers won’t give mileage. So you’ll have to work it out in advance that you’ll pay them more inside the private room.
A couple of questions for you.1- When my hubby and I went to sapphire on a Monday before halloween at about 11pm every single table said reserved. Most of them empty. So do you absolutely have to get a package to get a table or is there another way? I looked at the package for couples and it seemed like a good deal but we don’t really drink much so I don’t know if we would get our money’s worth. Also when we went in they said it would be $100 for the cover and we told them we drove ourselves but still said it was $100. So we said thanks anyway and walked out and the guy at the door stopped us and sent us back in with free entry. This seemed really strange to me. Is this normal?
2- my hubby and I will be in town on a Sunday and wanted to check out the palomino. Will it be super busy? Again the package seems really good but I don’t think we can drink that much so it feels like a waste. Will there be any place to sit without reserving a table?
3- I saw this thing called a v card on vegas.com and I have been looking into it. It’s also sold on tix4tonight and group on. It’s supposed to be a vip pass that you buy for a one time fee and never expires. It says it will get you into a bunch of nightclubs and gentlemen’s clubs with no cover and it also has some good and drink discounts as well. It says one of the gentlemen’s clubs is sapphire. I didn’t read anything on this v card until a couple of days ago otherwise I would have asked while we were there. The reviews are very mixed so I’m not sure if it does what it says. Sounds too good to be true. Ever heard of it?
Thanks so much!
Ann, the only seats that won’t be reserved at Sapphire are the seats along the stages. And the stages are at a height where you can’t watch the show very well from the seats along the stages.
So you have to either buy a package at Sapphire or get there before roughly 9 pm to get a seat on the rail.
If you had taken the free club limo, your admission would be guaranteed free (except for either the $15 reservations fee or a 2-for-1 drink ticket for $19). If you drive yourselves, they may charge or not. If you take a cab, Uber, Lyft or anyone else’s limo, you will definitely be charged. That’s similar for everywhere in Vegas.
Palomino will be busy on a Sunday but not packed to standing room only. You will be able to find a place without reserving a table there as long as you get there by 10 pm or so. They don’t reserve every table the way Sapphire does. What Palomino will do on a Sunday night is offer you a package at the door that is less expensive than the packages on the website, and that will get you a reserved table if you choose. Otherwise, just pay the cover of $30 each and you’ll each get three drinks. It’s a great club.
I haven’t heard of a v card, but I’m suspicious. Generally, the club has to pay for a referral like that, which means you can get a better deal by going directly to the club itself.
Let me know if you have any other questions, Ann.
How much are the regular lap dances and the room prices?
Tom, lap dances are $20 everywhere unless you’re at Legends Room and buy LGD tokens to use. Then a lap dance is $16.
Which club do you want the private-room prices for?
Great site!
Is the cover free at most clubs during the day, like before 7:00?
Thanks!
Buddy, every club is free in the day before 7 pm except Sapphire, which is free only until 6 pm (though if you take the free club limo you can get in free 24/7), and Little Darlings, which is free until 8 pm.
Another exception is Deja Vu Showgirls, which has a $45 admission fee from the minute it opens at 6 pm (unless you arrive by the free club limo, in which case your admission is free).
Also, Hustler Club charges $50 admission round-the-clock for out-of-towners.
Thanks for the info.
I will have a car. Is that the same as taking the limo?
BuddyRich, it depends. If it’s early and it’s not a big fight night, tell the club you drove yourself and they will often let you in either for free or the locals’ price. At Deja Vu, for example, the locals’ price is $10.
At Hustler, they’ll charge you the full $50 even if you drive yourself.
If it’s standing room only at Sapphire on a Saturday night, they’ll likely charge you the $45 admission even though you drove yourself. If you get there earlier, or it’s a Tuesday, they may let you in for free if you ask.
In general, the clubs charge full admission for out-of-towners if you drive yourself unless you specifically point out you drove yourself and ask them to waive the fee, in which case they may.
In other words, the clubs *hope* to charge you full admission unless you show you’re hip about the whole cabby thing and ask for a break, in which case many will let you slide.
I’m in LV now until Friday so I guess I should be able to find somewhere with no cover if I go early.
Thanks!
BuddyRich, check out our Vegas Strip Club happy hours page here.
Rule of thumb: A lot of nude clubs always have a cover. I think talk of the town has a cover 24/7
Tred, true, but Palomino Club and Little Darlings have free admission before 8 pm. Palomino Club has free admission after 8 pm as long as you arrive by the free club limo (reduced admission if you arrive by your own car), though you may be charged for two drinks at the door unless you have a package.