Another look at the dynamics of when Cubans take over a club
Lets look at what happens when one ethnicity takes over a club that was much more diverse in the past.
First, look at DG’s or any club that has always had one customer type in mind as it’s target. DG’s has always been a black club. They own it. They welcome any customer but you know who they are aiming for as soon as you walk in. Mostly black dancers with a few Hispanic and white girls. Music type, etc. But they continue to do well because they stay true to their roots.
Now, look at BDFW, as an example, but it could be a number of clubs. The very long history of the club has been aimed at White, Hispanic, and black customers. A diverse customer base. And the dancers reflected that. Anyone could go in there most days and find someone to his liking. And the Hispanics were either American or spoke fluent english.
Jump forward to 2023-24. BDFW reopens after a very nice remodel. The same diverse customer base return looking for the dancer mix of old. When the club reopened, management said they wanted to maintain a good mix of dancers.
At first, the only issue I had most of the time I went was who would I spend my money on. But as time has passed, Cubans have taken over the club. And the customer base has changed to reflect that. Now, I have two issues when I go in. How to keep the Cubans from bothering me and will there be anyone I want to spend my money on. Most of the old regulars that helped support a broad range of dancers have left. Because of that, when a black or white dancer does get hired, the customers who would support those dancers are few and far between. So they leave quickly. Management keeps hiring more Cubans because they show up, and admittedly, most of them are really hot. A shift can only support so many dancers so there is no room or way too much competition for the typical white or black dancer, no matter how hot she is.
From talking to some managers I have known for a long time, the average tab per customer has decreased. More customers offset that, but now the club is dependent on the Cubans and the customers they bring in.
Because the pimps of the Cubans have the resources to continue to buy their way into the clubs, this is happening to more and more clubs. Even now, if you want a broad choice of white, black, or Hispanic (not Cuban), it hard to find.
While The Lodge and Men’s Club have more diversity, they have issues of their own.
So even if you don’t really care right now about all the Cubans, you should. Before long, there will be two types of clubs to go to. Back or Cuban. And I see no way to stop it.