Sahara Theatre 3

16025 Gale Avenue, Suite A-11, City of Industry
Exit 60 at Hacienda Blvd.
(626) 333-1982
Web site: http://www.sahara-theater.com/
Sun - Wed: 11am - 2am, Thr - Sat: 11am - 4am
Map
Closed: 2004
Last Review: 9/2002
Last visit: 9/2002

Update 2004:
This club is closed.  The following review is from 2002.

As you approach the club located in a strip mall, you will see a large Cathay Bank Plaza sign. Turn into the large parking lot and self park. At night, the other mall stores are closed so there is ample parking for the club. The outside looks a little fancier than your usual mini-mall strip club. This branch is obviously owned by same owner as the Sahara in Anaheim.

There is a mini lobby area including an adult book store to the left. There is a turnstile to the right where you pay your $10 cover charge at night on the weekends plus a drink after you enter. As you enter the club, the large square stage is in the center of the room. The bar and bathrooms are to the right, the DJ booth and dressing rooms are to the left of the bar. The lap dance area and the VIP room is on the far side of the club.

The stage is relatively high and has about as many flashing lights that could possibly be mounted above the stage. It's bright enough to see what you want but not so bright as to blind you if you sit on stage. The stage has 2 poles and comfortable chairs all around.

After you sit down, a waitress will get your $6 drink order. This is a place to make sure to keep a full drink next to you at all times. This is one of those clubs with tons of waitresses asking for the usual "Buy the lady a drink?" so if you sit next to a dancer, it's a good idea to be ready.  Each dancer must sell 8 drinks at $6 each or 4 large drinks.

Near the entrance, there is an area with bench seating that is slightly higher than the rest of the club.  This is a good spot to view the stage from far away if you don't want to be close. It's also a little more quiet than near the stage, if you want to chat with you favorite dancer.

The lap dances are done in an area on the opposite side from the entrance where there is a high wall that allows you to see the person only when they are standing.  Once the customer and dancer are sitting, you cannot see what they are doing. This area is divided like cubicles but are open to the floater and anybody walking past you to another booth. The laps are $20 for topless dances and $40 for nude. Most of the dancers pretty much assume you want to do the nude dances so make sure to square that before starting your dance or the dancer will just take everything off. Although, I'm not positive, I don't think the dancer is allowed to stand up on the couch.

One thing that I liked was that the DJ will announce over the mic what dance you are on, and when a new set of songs (during specials) was starting so it's less likely for miscounting of dances. He even says the name of the dancer and what song you are on.  I think all clubs should do something similar to reduce the problems with miscounting of songs. It should also be noted that from what I could tell, the songs were relatively long and not cut ridiculously short like some other clubs. But of course, when they do a 5 for 1 special, the songs are cut short as you might expect.

There is also a VIP room which is for 20 minutes and the dancer pretty much negotiates her own price.  However, the house apparently takes about $125 so most dancers were asking between $300 and $400. It's very clear that most of the dancers make their big bucks with the VIP and some push it very hard.  I'm sure the mileage is high there but the cost was too prohibitively high for my taste and I did not partake on this trip.

The dancers were generally friendly but expect the usual line of girls to ask for lap dances during the specials. Most were acceptable to attractive, with a few notable thick dancers mixed in for people who enjoy more large girls. If you like dancers with a really cute face and a fine butt, take a look at Vanessa.

Summary:
The bathroom (although very clean) was in need of repairs, as well as some of the couches, and loses some points. Overall, the club is at the standard level of the current LA clubs. I'm pretty used to the heavy push for lady's drinks, but if you are not used to it, you might get annoyed. All in all, a place to come to see nude dancers and get some expensive but high mileage dances.

Expert customer hint:
The high mileage dancers will take you to the lap booth near the opposite side of the DJ booth because it is around a corner and the floater cannot see as easily.

Club		Nice with a few problems.
Dancers		All types of dancers available.
Attitude		More friendly than average lap factory.
Nasty Factor		Probably much higher in the VIP room.