Boy’s night out: The Cheetah Club!
Written: Oct 22 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great music, good food, attentive service
Cons: Hard to find -- surrounded by one-way streets! Steep drink prices.
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| Cutie_pi's Full Review: Atlanta |
Review Topic: Entertainment
An Atlanta Tradition
As Atlanta natives know (and business travelers learn), The Cheetah, located at 887 Spring Street in downtown Atlanta, has made a name for itself as a leader in adult entertainment. While other ‘upscale’ strip-clubs have come and gone, The Cheetah has steadfastly remained the leader in this industry for over 20 years. ”Strip club?” you say. Yes, strip club.
I know what you’re thinking...
Why, oh why did this woman go to a strip club? Well, to tell you the truth, I’ve been to a few, on multiple occasions, each time with my husband, and sometimes in the company of friends, as well. A night out at the strip club can be great fun, and highly entertaining. Loud music, a good drink... the only thing separating a night out at a strip club versus any other nightclub is that the entertainment happens to disrobe!
The Cheetah: A cut above
As I mentioned, The Cheetah is located in downtown Atlanta. As we all know, parking in downtown Atlanta is no simple feat. In fact, sometimes it’s nearly impossible. However, if your night out on the town includes a stop at The Cheetah, you need not worry, as they offer free valet parking (in a fenced/secured, well-lit parking lot). The valets are always courteous and efficient, so please be sure to tip them accordingly. As an added bonus, many of the better hotels in the Buckhead Area offer free shuttle service, and they will gladly drop you off and pick you up from the club.
As you enter the club, you’ll immediately see the apparel shop on your left hand side, featuring a wide variety of risque lingerie, stiletto heels, skimpy bikinis, and racy eveningwear. You’ll also find many ‘costume’ items, such as those worn by the dancers, including break-away g-strings, above see-level School Girl skirts, tiny cut-off tees, thigh high boots and more. So if a night at the club inspires you to bare as much as you dare, you can find it all here.
Winding down the hall to your left, you’ll find yourself on the main floor of the club. The main room is huge, with soaring ceilings, an excellent sound system, and state of the art lighting. Along the front wall of the club is State 1 (or the Main Stage), which is about 50 feet long, with the entire back wall lined with mirrors. Along the length of both sides of the main floor are two more stages; each of these are runway-style, with prime viewing from either side of the stage. Behind each of these stages is an immense bar, with seating all along it’s length, providing an excellent vantage point of the entire club. At the rear of the room is yet another stage (Stage 4), which serves as the entrance onto the club floor for all of the performers. It’s a slightly smaller, shorter stage, jutting out from a brightly lit stairway, and capping off in an arrowhead shape.
The main floor is filled with rows of long, black tables, and a few smaller tables. Seating on the main floor, as well as at the bars, is strictly first come, first serve. However, if you choose to dine at The Cheetah, you will be escorted to a table flanking either side of Stage 4. These are the best seats in the house, giving you prime viewing of all four stages, as well as the attentive service of the waitstaff. For $20, you can request a seat at one of these tables, and forego the food. However, the food is good, and reasonably priced, so either way, it is money well spent. At any given moment, there are at least 20 performers on stage, and another 20-30 on the floor, socializing with the patrons, performing table dances, or just hanging out.
Table dances: What separates The Cheetah from other clubs
As I mentioned, I’ve been to a few strip clubs in my lifetime. Some are of a higher caliber, while others are somewhat seedy. But even in some of the more upscale clubs, there is one very tacky element that has always bothered me: Dancers soliciting for lap dances. In most clubs, once the performers are done on stage, they roam the floor of the club, propositioning patrons to buy $20 lap/table dances from them. While I have no objection to receiving/buying lap dances, I do rather dislike being asked if I’d like one. This creates an awkward moment between the dancer and the patron, and eventually you (the patron) are made to feel as if you must accept one in order to prevent hurting the dancer’s feelings. I personally don’t like having to reject them, and therefore I try to avoid all eye contact with the dancers as they prowl the floor.
However, The Cheetah is different. Here, the dancers are strictly prohibited from soliciting for dances. When their set on stage (typically a 3 song set) is done, they can be found walking the floor of the club with other dancers, or they go backstage. Therefore, if you happen to want a lap/table dance, you must be proactive in asking the dancer of your choice. Once the set is over, she will accompany you to your table to commence your private dance.
Word to the wise: While this is hopefully a ‘given,’ let me just remind you that touching the dancers is strictly prohibited. I mean, NO touching. While the dancers may choose to touch you (not in a sexual manner), and tend to take even greater liberties with female patrons, Gents, please keep your hands to yourself.
The Dancers
I know what you’re thinking. Who cares about the parking, who cares about the music -- tell me about the dancers! Well, according to the DJ, The Cheetah showcases some of the most beautiful women in Atlanta. While I cannot substantiate this claim, I have been to other adult clubs in Atlanta, and I must say that the dancers at The Cheetah are definitely of a higher caliber than those at many of the other clubs. Most are young, between 21 and 27, with a few in their early- to mid-30s. The dancers are predominantly Caucasian, but there are also several African-American and Hispanic performers as well. While all are (obviously) exceptionally fit and well-toned, there is definitely something for everyone here. From tiny and petite, to lanky and statuesque, all natural to all-silicone, you’ll find it all here.
The dancers are attired in anything from bikinis and lingerie, to elaborate evening dresses. Some are ‘theme dressed,’ such as School Girls or Cheerleaders, while others opt for the simplicity of a g-string and baby-tee. While some do exhibit body jewelry (nipple or navel piercings, only!), tattoos are frowned upon by management, and are to be covered/disguised by either clothing or makeup. There are also stringent guidelines with regard to the personal grooming habits of each dancer, which are strictly enforced.
Tipping (aka “How to get the girls to get naked!”)
Have you ever been to a strip club and wondered why some dancers seem like that can’t shed their clothing fast enough, while others seem to hold onto the last shreds of modesty? Well, it’s all in the tip! If you want to see your favorite Cheetah dancer in her birthday suit, you need to “Show (her) the money!” Five dollars will get her topless, while ten will get her completely nude. More than ten will get you an extremely enthusiastic dancer, and possibly a kiss on the cheek. For twenty dollars, you can get the dancer of your choice to perform for you at your table (or ON your table). Of course, the twenty dollars will get your dancer completely nude; however, do not take this as a sign that you do not need to tip her appropriately!
The Cheetah: It’s not just for breakfast anymore.
While many other strip clubs offer a raw-bar, and late-night ‘breakfast buffets,’ The Cheetah’s International Grille is a rarity, in that they offer a full lunch and dinner menu, from 11:30 a.m. until 2:00 a.m. I’ll admit, the first time it was suggested to me that we eat dinner in a strip club, I was a bit apprehensive. Certainly the only food offerings would be typical bar food - burgers, hot wings, and beer. And surely, it can’t be much more than palatable. I soon found that my misconceptions and apprehensions were unfounded.
The menu offerings ranged from appetizers and hot sandwiches, to steaks and pasta dishes. On a previous visit, I tried the Fettucine Alfredo, which, while far from spectacular, was well above-average. On our most recent visit, I opted for a simple Philly Cheese Steak (how could it be bad?), and we shared an order of the Spinach Artichoke Dip as an appetizer. Both of these offerings were very well prepared, and certainly rivaled many national chains in terms of quality and taste. The portions are large, and served on white china (with proper flatware and cloth napkins).
The dining area only accommodates about 30 people, and there are two tuxedoed-waiters there at your beck-and-call. Sort of. Surprisingly, considering how few people were dining there, the service was a tad slow, and it seemed to take excessively long for our food to arrive once we ordered it. However, our waiter was very attentive, and checked in with us frequently to refresh our drinks, clear the table, etc.
For the discriminating customer...
The Cheetah also offers a rather extensive wine list, as well as Champagne (however, be prepared to pay dearly for the latter). You may also choose from a selection of fine cigars in their humidor (and cigar smoking is allowed in the club). If the atmosphere on the floor is not to your liking, you may also opt for an Executive Room (for a $50 upcharge) or a VIP Room (not sure how much this costs, but considering typically only sports stars and celebrities do this, you can be assured it’s pricey!). Having a bachelor party? Take the gents to the club, and humiliate the groom-to-be with a little on-stage celebration, including a bevy of beauties, and a Cheetah Club t-shirt.
Dress Code!
While this is an upscale club, the dresscode here is pretty relaxed, prohibiting only ballcaps and torn jeans. However, on a Friday or Saturday evening, most people will be dressed as they would for any other night on the town. Gentlemen are typically in khakis or dresspants, with a collared shirt or sportcoat. Women tend to get even more dressed up, sporting an array of slinky ‘club’ dresses, as well as glittery tops and dressy trousers.
So will you make The Cheetah your next night out on the town?
Well, if you’re looking for something a little different, a little racy, and a lot of fun, then you should check it out. While at first I felt I would be intimidated when faced with a room full of naked women (not to mention cheering men!), I found that was not at all the case. In fact, I recall in college, a group of women I worked with would go there whenever one of them turned 40. They would put on their beaded evening gowns, rent a limo, and hit The Cheetah! Now obviously, if you’re offended by nudity or provocative dancing, then you might not enjoy an evening here. But if you’re just the least bit curious, and go in with an open mind, you’ll certainly have a great time.
On holiday weekends (particularly around Valentine’s Day) you’ll find a large percentage of couples in attendance, more so on Saturday nights than on Friday. But this is also a hot spot for the aforementioned Bachelor parties, and you will always find it popular with business travelers and conventioneers.
Final Notes
There is a $10 cover charge for men, and ladies (who are always welcome) get in free. However, when staying at any of the major hotels in Buckhead, you can easily obtain free passes. Also, please note that you must be 21 to get in, and IDs are always checked at the door.
ENJOY!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Cutie_pi
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~ Mrs. G ~ (Enjoying newlywed bliss)
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