Up and down the streets of Gotham, women are slip-sliding on poles Coyote Ugly-style, and we’re not talking about the well-paid “professionals.” When bars mix public stripper poles into their décor, even good girls suddenly feel the need to drop it like it’s hot. Of course, this is just meant as clean fun, so the clothes stay on (mostly). Kick up your heels at these fine establishments and say welcome to the cabaret! Just don’t tell Mom.
R Bar
218 Bowery (Spring & Broome Sts.)
Little Italy 212.334.0484
This rocker bar goes all-out with the Red Light District theme. Make your way to the back room and you’re treated to four brass poles on two stages. All of which makes this a popular place for private parties, so if you come on a weekend night, expect bachelorettes galore. It’s also where frat types too cheap for actual strip clubs come to ogle at the amateur “talent.”
105 Riv
105 Rivington St. (Essex & Ludlow Sts.)
Lower East Side 212.475.2600
This trendy, plush Euro hangout seems like an odd place to find a stripper pole, but somehow it completes the bar’s Studio 54 vibe without being cheesy. Only the best-dressed get past the tight rope at this club beneath the Hotel on Rivington, so if you saunter up to the pole, you better look fierce.
2 By 4
68 2nd Ave. (@ 4th St.)
East Village 212.254.5766
Now this dive knows where to put stripper poles—right on top of the bar. Get up there and twirl around to the ‘80s hair metal playing on the jukebox and you’ll earn yourself a few free shots. It doesn’t get more all-American than this.
Submercer
147 ½ Mercer St. (@ Prince St.)
SoHo 212.966.6060
Even the famous and wealthy like to get down and dirty, so it’s no surprise that beneath the posh Mercer Hotel, a red room with a red stripper pole beckons those lucky enough to get in. Since reopening this spring after a five-year hiatus, this is
the rec room for the city’s it-crowd—and with all of the drugs ingested here, we can only imagine how the pole plays into the scene.
Plan B
339 E. 10th St. (Aves. A & B)
East Village 212.353.2303
It’s not the coolest bar—maybe that’s why it’s not called Plan A—but this straight-up dance parlor has an elevated pole next to the DJ booth. And since it gets pretty packed, you might want to put on a show just to get away from all of the sweaty, grinding bodies on the dance floor.
Revolver
210 Rivington St. (Pitt & Ridge Sts.)
Lower East Side 212.505.7625
This rock-themed bar on the outskirts of the LES gives you something to revolve around with its go-go pole affixed to the end of the bar. Since the DJs here like to keep the music blaring at obscene decibels, there’s no point in coming here for a conversation—so swing around that pole to keep yourself—and the crowd—entertained.
Did you know you can learn the art of erotic pole dancing in the form of an aerobic sport? We asked Anna Grundstrom, an instructor at
New York Pole Dancing, for some tips on bringing out the inner pole twirler in all of us.
Q: What's the best (non-stripper) outfit to wear pole dancing?
A: You need skin to climb. So a pair of shorts and a tank top works great. Barefoot or heels doesn’t matter. Heels give your legs great shape, just know how to walk in them. To practice, we tell our students to wear heels at home while they’re cleaning their apartment.
Q: What are your favorite songs to pole dance to?
A: Right now I’m into “Stripper Pole” by Pitbull, “The Unforgiven” by Metallica, and “Conceited” by Remy Ma.
Q: Do you have any advice for "virgins" on the pole?
A: Take your time. The audience is mesmerized by the most simple of moves if you allow it. Be fearless, be confident, and have fun!
~ Selena Ricks
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