There was the handshake with the guy holding a clipboard filled with names, then the handshake with the guy who opened the door, then the handshake with the woman who solicited coat checks, then the handshake with the woman who led patrons into a hallway where a gelled-haired man met them, offered a handshake and then led them to their respective tables.
The eager geniality shouldn't have come as a surprise to the men in the slim-fitting suits. This evening marked the Penthouse Club's grand opening, and the staff seemed determined to establish a memorable first impression.
Throughout the downstairs room, servers in black uniforms roamed, passing out bite-size appetizers and taking drink orders. Penthouse seemed to be going for a Vegas vibe, with $20-$100 lap dances, $300-$21,000 bottle service, $10 ATM fees, and cocktails named after porn stars (The Jenna Rose: 2 oz. Smirnoff Raspberry Vodka, citrus soda, cranberry juice, lemon twist, served over ice. $15.). Pink, purple, red, green, and blue lights flickered over leather chairs and glass tables.
Before the strippers took the stage, many of them worked the room, chatting with patrons. The girls donned pseudo-elegant dresses with a stripper twist, such as flowy gowns with slits that reached each hip, or necklines that dipped halfway to the navel.
One of them, a short brunette in a white-and-gold strapless top, took a seat beside a man in a gray blazer.
