For those familiar with our explorations of Las Vegas nightlife, you know The Gal and I appreciate quality adult entertainment. Back home in Phoenix, we maintain a similar discerning approach, seeking venues that offer a memorable experience while respecting our privacy. Recently, we ventured to Bourbon Street, located off Thomas and 32nd Street, prompted by a recommendation from another couple we met at the Palomino Club in Vegas. Given the Palomino’s high standards in our book, our expectations for Bourbon Street Phoenix were naturally set high.
As seasoned connoisseurs of adult entertainment, we instinctively compare new venues to the benchmark set by the Palomino Club, our “gold standard” for couples. This review of Bourbon Street Phoenix is framed through that lens.
Before our visit, I called Bourbon Street Phoenix to inquire about any available packages and peak hours. Impressively, they answered my call even outside of typical club hours (around 10:00 am). The woman who answered was both helpful and well-informed, explaining that while packages weren’t offered, VIP services were indeed available – details we’ll delve into later.
Location and Parking at Bourbon Street Phoenix
Bourbon Street Phoenix boasts convenient access, situated just off the 51 freeway in South Phoenix. Navigating to the club is straightforward; while Google Maps might suggest a side street entrance, both entry points are directly accessible from Thomas Road.
Admittedly, the surrounding area presents a somewhat gritty aesthetic, and the club’s exterior is unassuming, lacking any elaborate theming or branding. While outward appearances aren’t paramount – it’s the interior experience that truly matters – it’s hard not to draw comparisons to the visually striking presentation of Christie’s Cabaret, which we reviewed previously. Perhaps we’ve become accustomed to a certain level of visual flair.
Parking at Bourbon Street Phoenix is ample and complimentary. Arriving around 7 pm and departing near midnight, we encountered no safety concerns. The parking area was well-lit and felt secure, leaving both The Gal and I feeling comfortable throughout our visit.
Inside Bourbon Street Phoenix: Atmosphere and Ambiance
Stepping inside Bourbon Street Phoenix, the layout is familiar to anyone acquainted with adult clubs: a spacious floor area dominated by a central bar. One wall features a series of six televisions, strategically placed around the main stage, broadcasting sports and general TV programming. While some might appreciate this, we personally find such distractions detract from the dancers. We prefer clubs that curate an atmosphere enhancing the performers, perhaps with music videos or mood-setting visuals. Seating is primarily arranged to face the main stage.
The open floor plan accommodates roughly 30-40 tables, featuring the ubiquitous “strip club chairs” – a design seemingly universal across venues, yet not particularly couple-friendly. (A tip for club designers: consider a couples’ “loveseat” table option!). The bar area could comfortably accommodate 20-25 patrons. We observed dancers frequently congregating at the bar, a detail that would become clearer later.
Similar to Alaska Bush Co. in Phoenix, Bourbon Street Phoenix features a three-stage setup: a main, larger stage and two smaller “mini-stages” at opposite ends of the floor. Upon our arrival, only the main stage and “Stage 3” were active. Dancers rotate through the stages, progressing from the main stage to Stage 2 and finally Stage 3 with each song.
Bourbon Street Phoenix Main Stage
The main stage appears larger due to a mirrored backdrop. Stage 3 is visible to the right, and the bar is in the far right corner. Stage 2 is out of frame to the left. This image, likely older, predates the marble-look table lights.
The music selection was diverse, spanning pop, rock, and a touch of hip-hop, with songs from the 90s onward. While some might find this eclectic mix jarring, we appreciate musical variety.
One often-overlooked aspect in club reviews is restroom facilities. Bourbon Street Phoenix has no bathroom attendants. Intriguingly, the women’s restroom is located directly through the dancer’s dressing room. While this might appeal to bisexual women like The Gal, even she felt a slight sense of intrusion navigating this arrangement. The ladies’ room itself has three stalls, and both of us found the restrooms to be clean and well-maintained.
A final positive note before moving on: the announcer was commendably clear, making dancer names easily discernible. This might seem trivial, but at many clubs, announcements are muddled. Clear announcements are helpful if you wish to request a specific dancer for VIP time.
We’ll delve into the VIP offerings at Bourbon Street Phoenix in a dedicated section later in this review.
Staff and Drinks at Bourbon Street Phoenix
We value positive interactions with club staff. In our experience, courtesy and friendliness are generally reciprocated with enhanced customer service – a principle applicable across industries, not just adult entertainment.
Arriving around 7:30 pm, early for a strip club, as is our custom when exploring new venues, we paid a $10 cover charge each. The cashier could have been more welcoming, but the transaction was efficient.
As is typical, security personnel guide patrons from the entrance to their tables, often forming the initial impression of the establishment (after the cashier). At clubs like Christie’s and Palomino, security staff are consistently well-dressed and professional. While their primary role is maintaining order and addressing disruptive behavior, they also facilitate seating and oversee VIP areas.
Security at Bourbon Street Phoenix was adequate, but lacked the polished presence we’ve encountered elsewhere. We were shown to the floor and offered a choice of tables, but received no tour or additional information. The security personnel were efficient but curt, not overtly rude. Uniforms were not readily apparent, making it difficult to distinguish staff from patrons at times. We even observed individuals we believed to be security seated at customer tables.
While no incidents occurred during our visit, we were left wondering how security would manage potential altercations.
Our server, Taylor, promptly greeted us, and we opened a tab. Bourbon Street Phoenix, like many clubs, retains your credit card and ID for the duration of your visit.
Taylor provided excellent service. We are low-maintenance patrons, requiring no special requests or bill-breaking. While there were occasional periods of absence, she was consistently friendly and warmed up to us as the evening progressed. Generous tipping likely contributed to the positive dynamic.
A clever touch: upon being seated, a small glass with a napkin is placed atop the table light. This not only reserves the table but also displays the server’s name on the napkin. Unfortunately, ours was turned away from us, and we ended up asking Taylor her name directly. If you want to address your server by name, check the napkin.
Server staffing levels appeared appropriate, and all servers seemed attentive and friendly.
Our drink order included two fuzzy navels, two rum and Cokes (totaling four alcoholic beverages), three diet sodas, and several glasses of water, along with a slice of pizza – the only food option besides a vending machine that seemed out of order. It’s always surprising that clubs don’t offer more readily available “finger food” options like pretzels. Perhaps eating anything at a strip club is perceived as unseemly. The pizza was as expected (pepperoni and “meat lover’s” slices were offered; we chose pepperoni). Our total bill came to $69, which we considered reasonable. Drink quality was satisfactory; they achieved the desired effect of relaxation and enjoyment, preparing us to engage with the dancers.
Talent and Couple Friendliness at Bourbon Street Phoenix
We appreciate diversity in dancer talent. We enjoy a range of styles, body types, and sizes, and value the opportunity to converse with dancers and learn about their personalities.
The Gal, in particular, enjoys female dancers. 😀
While Bourbon Street Phoenix doesn’t boast the sheer volume of dancers found in Las Vegas clubs, we were generally pleased with the quantity and variety of performers.
Some online reviews of Bourbon Street Phoenix have criticized dancer diversity, specifically mentioning a lack of tattooed dancers (which The Gal finds appealing) and women of color.
Arriving around 7:30 pm, we counted 10-15 dancers in rotation. By midnight, this number had likely increased to 25-30.
Overall, we assessed the diversity and “quality” of dancers as “good.” Various ethnicities were represented, and body types ranged from petite to curvy, with both natural and enhanced breasts, varying heights (though stripper boots can be deceptive), and diverse hairstyles. There was a mix of “girl next door” types and more overtly sensual dancers (though perhaps not enough of the latter for The Gal’s preference).
We didn’t observe highly specialized “niche” styles, such as “Asian School Girl” or dancers with very distinct personas. Costumes were generally cute and alluring (The Gal admired Jeanette’s outfit), and short skirts are always a welcome sight.
The Gal and I are fans of impressive pole work, a key factor in our repeated visits to the Palomino. The main stage at Bourbon Street Phoenix is smaller, and perhaps a quarter of the dancers incorporated pole work into their routines (two or three showcased impressive skills, earning commensurate tips). Most performances leaned towards “sensual dance,” which isn’t inherently negative, just a different style. If you prioritize high-energy pole performances, Bourbon Street Phoenix might not be the ideal choice – at least not on the Friday night we visited.
Bourbon Street Phoenix had a relaxed, low-pressure atmosphere. We weren’t excessively approached by dancers; we weren’t actively turning dancers down.
We subtly signaled our interest to dancers who caught The Gal’s eye. Those who were comfortable dancing for women approached us later; those who weren’t, did not. We appreciated this unspoken understanding, as long as sufficient dancers are receptive to female attention, ensuring a good selection. This is where the sheer volume of dancers in Vegas clubs is advantageous. No one enjoys awkward interactions where interest isn’t mutual.
The dancers, on average, were “7s” and “8s” (compared to our Vegas experiences), with some outliers on both ends of the spectrum. We particularly noted Piper (the most heavily tattooed dancer we saw, and directly aligned with The Gal’s preferences), Sapphire (possessing classic beauty), Jeanette, and we spent a pleasant thirty minutes with the engaging Sahar, who made a strong impression on The Gal, engaging her in conversation onstage.
Sahar was personable, humorous, and had a spirited energy that The Gal found particularly attractive, in addition to her petite physique. Sahar was one of the few dancers who proactively approached us after The Gal expressed interest. We definitely plan to spend more time with her on future visits to Bourbon Street Phoenix.
However, only about half of the dancers we subtly indicated interest in actually approached us. This isn’t entirely surprising given our unique dynamic as a couple, with attention focused on The Gal. This places us in a different category. Not all dancers are comfortable with couples in general (a complex dynamic requiring respect and understanding), and even fewer are genuinely “into girls,” even if they will perform for them on request. Some may not be adept at directing their attention appropriately towards a female patron.
My bisexual wife prefers dances from women who genuinely enjoy dancing for women.
While I wouldn’t necessarily advertise Bourbon Street Phoenix as explicitly “couples-friendly,” there were at least five other couples present (more as the night progressed), and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. We’ll gain a better sense of the couple dynamic on subsequent visits to Bourbon Street Phoenix.
One noteworthy observation: Bourbon Street Phoenix seemingly discourages dancers from drinking on the floor. We often enjoy buying dancers drinks, but were informed that “dancer drinks” cost $25 and must be consumed at the bar, not on the floor. We found this policy unusual, but these are the nuanced details we aim to highlight in our reviews.
Unveiling the VIP Experience at Bourbon Street Phoenix
Initially, the VIP offerings at Bourbon Street Phoenix seemed somewhat opaque. At the Palomino, VIP pricing and service details are clearly displayed. One would expect servers to be well-versed in VIP options, and certainly the dancers themselves. However, inquiring about VIP at Bourbon Street felt like deciphering a hidden code.
Perhaps VIP rates and services fluctuate frequently here? Regardless, clarity was lacking until the “VIP Hostess,” Lisa, visited our table.
After inquiring with our server, Taylor, and a couple of dancers about VIP experiences, Taylor summoned Lisa, the VIP Hostess, to our table.
To save time and confusion, directly request your server to send Lisa (or the designated VIP staff member) to your table. Lisa provided detailed information and a tour of the VIP area, and we found her to be very helpful.
The VIP area is located to the left of the main floor and offers various levels of private interaction with dancers, ranging from lap dances to “entry-level VIP” rooms and the more exclusive “Champagne Rooms.”
Table dances are not offered at Bourbon Street Phoenix (Christie’s remains the only club we’ve encountered offering them). Lap dances are priced at $20 per song.
Lap dances take place in a semi-private area off the main floor. Each dancer and patron (or patrons) has a small partition for some separation, but the area isn’t particularly elaborate. We only briefly passed through this area and didn’t experience a lap dance on this visit (we will next time), but estimated capacity at around ten simultaneous lap dances. The arrangement for couples remains unclear.
We didn’t get a close look at the champagne rooms, nor ascertain their pricing, but believe they start in the four-figure range.
At the Palomino, smaller, private “horseshoe rooms” (named for their horseshoe-shaped couches) offer a comparable “entry-level VIP” experience, but at a slightly higher price point than Bourbon Street Phoenix. These Palomino rooms are fully curtained for complete privacy and allow dancers more freedom of movement, even with couples.
Bourbon Street Phoenix’s entry-level VIP rooms feature comfortable couches (accommodating both of us comfortably) with ample space for dancer movement and performance. These are private “rooms,” providing a truly secluded experience compared to lap dances. Dancers engaged in VIP room sessions are removed from the main stage rotation.
Entry-level VIP at Bourbon Street Phoenix starts at $400 for 30 minutes, including drinks and the dancer’s time (remember to tip the dancer separately; VIP services typically require dancers to “tip out” a portion). Sixty minutes is priced at $800, with subsequent hours decreasing to $500 per hour, as Lisa informed us.
Bourbon Street Phoenix could enhance their VIP experience by implementing fixed, clearly posted pricing and ensuring all server staff are well-versed in VIP offerings. Future VIP experiences should be more seamless.
Navigating ‘Mileage’ at Bourbon Street Phoenix
“Mileage,” referring to the degree of physical interaction permitted during dances, is a significant consideration at adult clubs.
Women patrons often experience greater latitude in touching than men. The Gal is mindful of this and often adjusts her touch based on the dancer’s body language, emphasizing respectful patronage, which, in our experience, fosters greater allowances in subsequent dances.
Vegas clubs generally permit more physical interaction – significantly more.
“Mileage” is influenced by various factors: local regulations, club policies, and ultimately, the individual dancer’s comfort level, which is paramount.
Navigating “mileage” requires sensitivity and respect.
We prioritize dancer comfort and always establish boundaries. This is prudent advice for all club patrons, regardless of gender.
Unfortunately, our limited interactions during this visit didn’t provide extensive opportunities to assess Bourbon Street Phoenix’s “mileage” policies. We had one VIP session with Sahar (who was fantastic – thank you!), but she danced for The Gal, not myself.
Upon our return to Bourbon Street Phoenix, we will experience more dances and update this review with further insights into “mileage.”
We’ll Be Going Back to Bourbon Street Phoenix!
Bourbon Street Phoenix is a suitable venue for couples. Perhaps with repeat visits, we’ll receive more personalized attention, as the “regulars” seemed to. We hope Sapphire, Piper, and Jeanette will grace us with their attention on our next visit as well.
The staff and dancers treated us well. The Gal enjoyed her experience immensely. The overall cost was reasonable.
Similar to the Palomino Club in Vegas, we anticipate returning to Bourbon Street Phoenix in the near future.
