I have to point out that I'm the proverbial virgin when it comes to these kinds of places. So I can't say that I can deem Polekatz in Bridgeview to be any better or worse than other such establishments. I can only talk about how I was made to feel as a customer while I was here. Which was, on the whole, pretty good.
I initially came in early one day for the express purpose of wanting to go someplace different for dinner. The establishment looked clean and fine, and the staff was friendly and welcoming. The roast beef sandwich I had was fine, if expensive, but I anticipated that. I enjoyed the entertainment once it started, although I have to say it's a rare woman who can make a face mask look sexy, and most of the opening acts were having difficulty pulling it off. Being new to strip clubs, I wasn't sure what was acceptable behavior was i.e. how to ask to see if I could watch a girl dance much closer. But it was a slow night and the talent made a point of coming to me.
I found myself the object of attention for an extremely attractive Columbian girl calling herself Paulina. She practically draped herself over me as she told me how nice it would be for her to give me a private show. Now, I do realize that she probably says that to all the guys. These ladies make their living by allowing introverted guys like me to indulge in the fantasy that we can be attractive to women to the point that they want to sit naked in our laps. I make a point of saying that cynical view going in, so it can be appreciated how effective Paulina was that she was able to sell it anyway. First in the "lapdance room" and then in the champagne room. I wound up spending a great deal more than I had intended to for dinner that night, but I have to say I didn't really come out with any regrets. Pretty much the opposite, I should say, since curiosity compelled me to return a few weeks later on a Saturday night to see what the place would be like when it wasn't a slow night.
After my first hour, I was beginning to think I had made a mistake. Not only were there more customers, but the night was evidently devoted to a viewing party of some high-profile MMA fights that nights. No girls came up to talk to me at my table, and wandering around made me feel like I looked stupid. But, just so I could feel like I made an effort before quitting, I asked an employee if he could give a newbie some pointers. That employee was one Tommy Mosier, who very cordially arranged for me to meet the stunning manager Jay Jay Jones, who first took the time to sit with me and explain some of the club's entertainment options, then introduced me to the lovely dancer Devine, who I probably would have never approached myself. So that's three members of the staff (five, counting Paulina from my previous visit and the waitress that served me both nights) that made a nervous, uncomfortable customer feel welcomed enough that I will be returning. (For making the customer feel he is special, the VIP business cards are a nice touch.)
So, I've listed a lot of pros. Any cons? As I said, I can't outright call it the best club in town because I have no basis for comparison. It's a good drive away from anywhere and takes a GPS to find. It's pricy, there's no two ways about that. I can't help but wonder if the same entertainment isn't more affordable elsewhere. The efforts to "upsell" to the even more exclusive private lounges, while understandable, are a bit daunting given the prices being asked. The VIP section says they require you to open a $100 minimum bar tab, which is not only very steep given I don't drink much, but raises concerns about fraud and identity theft that has occurred in bars that impose such requirements. And I do think they have a bit of a racket going on in that they don't allow you to park your own car.
But overall, I stand by my five-star rating. They enabled a lonely bookworm to enjoy some lovely company and feel welcomed for an evening. That's what I wanted them to do, and they did it well. read more