Behind the Curtain: Dressing Rooms at Strip Clubs

Every great performance starts in the dressing room. In the world of NYC exotic entertainment, these behind-the-scenes spaces are where dancers transform — from streetwear to stage-ready, from calm to commanding. Whether it’s a tiny corner in a downtown club or a lavish backstage suite with mirrors and lighting, the strip club dressing room is a sacred space performers call home between sets.

Dressing rooms vary wildly across NYC — some are elegant, with velvet benches and ambient lighting; others are no-frills setups behind curtains or makeshift partitions. Regardless of size, they all serve the same purpose: a place to breathe, change, and mentally prepare. Dancers keep makeup kits, heels, and extra outfits handy. The mirrors are dotted with notes, lip glosses, pasties, and the residue of dozens of routines.

The vibe is always personal. Some dancers stretch in silence, while others hype each other up with playlists and compliments. It’s part support group, part prep zone. For many, it’s also where new performers get advice from veterans or swap stories about wild nights and favorite songs.

These spaces also reflect a performer’s personality — and sometimes, the costumes tell more of the story than the show itself. Themes change constantly, from lingerie to cosplay to burlesque glam. Every dressing room corner carries a whisper of a theme night or a private client fantasy once fulfilled.

Curious what goes into themed shows? See our theme party experiences to discover how dressing rooms become launchpads for entire fantasy worlds.