The Past, Present, and Future of Strip Clubs
The strip club, also known as a gentlemen’s club, is a staple that has been around for decades. Exotic dancers, showgirls, and XXX shows have filled the adult content of our entertainment industries for as long as most of us can remember.
But where did this style of entertainment start? Is it still relevant today? And where is it going? These are the questions we’re here to answer. In this article, we’ll dive into the history of the strip club, how gentlemen’s clubs are today, and where this part of the industry is headed, such as this strip club in Brisbane City.
The History of the Gentlemen’s Club
Stripping and exotic dancing can be traced all the way back to the Stone Age. Cave paintings and statues dating thousands of years back have been discovered illustrating female nude dancing. So, this art form has technically been around as long as humans have walked the Earth.
Erotic dancing continued to move around the globe throughout the years in various forms. For example, the erotic dancers of 14th-century courts, priestesses in the height of the Greek and Roman empires, and finally, belly dancing in the Middle East.
Fast-Forward to the Late 19th Century
The 19th century was a big one for erotic dancing. This period is when burlesque dancers, XXX shows, and modern stripping really started to take center stage. This era was primarily shaped by the evolution of the burlesque show, where people began to realize with these XXX shows that sex sells. Burlesque shows typically involved a complete act, including music, singing, humor, and dancing. Women stripping nude was only a minor part of the show. As the years passed, these shows became more risque and focused more on the naked dancing aspect.
By the end of the 19th century, modern stripping was truly starting with the invention of the striptease, a more personal, sensual dance than the large shows of the past. The striptease also influenced other erotic dances, including the French Cancan that became a signature of the Vegas showgirls in the United States. Showgirls quickly became the next burlesque-style dancers and a hallmark of the industry.
Modern Strip Clubs
Modern strip clubs began to surface in the 1950s as bars and clubs began catering to this particular adult content. Thus, the strip club was born. These first strippers incorporated more elaborate, erotic costumes complete with feathers and sequins. Stripping began to surface in practically every major city in the United States and other countries worldwide, taking the spotlight of the sex industry at the time.
Today, the traditional gentlemen’s clubs are scarce, and modern clubs sometimes lack the class of a traditional gentlemen’s club. Modern adult entertainers sport tiny outfits that leave little to the imagination. Not to mention, most striptease shows only occur in VIP rooms. In addition, many clubs don’t even allow the dancers to undress on the floor. However, there are still plenty of clubs out there that are an intact example of a traditional gentlemen’s club.
The Future of Strip Clubs
Despite strip clubs slowly losing some of their customer bases, especially during the pandemic, these clubs are still on the rise with ever-changing technology. The next step in the gentlemen’s club is looking towards virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). These new experiences will not simply have a user put on their VR headset and watch someone dance, but rather create an immersive experience featuring the entirety of the club environment.
From Stone Age Paintings to High-Tech Headsets
Gentlemen’s clubs are still trendy, and with the addition of modern technology, they continue to bring in new fan bases. However, strip clubs have come a long way since their beginnings, and much more is in store for this style of adult entertainment!
