Stop Hosting Events in Strip Clubs Without Compensating the Dancers
- Chanel Avory Secrets
- Apr 28
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 3
There’s a rising trend that’s deeply concerning: events being hosted in strip clubs during work hours — especially on high-traffic nights like Fridays and Saturdays — without acknowledging or compensating the workers whose labour sustains those spaces. As someone who has worked in plenty of clubs, I want to break down how strip clubs in Australia actually operate, how dancers earn money (or sometimes don’t), and why this practice is not only unethical — but actively harmful, especially for survival workers.
How Strip Clubs Work in Australia
Let’s start with the basics. Most strip clubs in Australia don’t pay dancers an hourly wage. Instead, dancers pay the club a house fee — a fixed cost just to be allowed to work. Think of it as rent. That fee gives access to the venue, security, stage time, amenities, and the possibility of making money through lap dances, VIP bookings, or tips on stage.
These house fees vary, but on busy nights can be as high as $150. So from the moment a dancer walks through the door, they're in "negative". That means that they have to hustle just to break even — and only then can they begin to earn an actual income. There’s no hourly rate. No paid break. No guaranteed pay-check.
The Labour Behind the "Glamour"
Working as a stripper involves more than people often realise. It’s not “easy money.” It’s physical labour (dancing in heels for hours), emotional labour (flirting, listening, reading the room), sales (pitching VIPs, upselling services), and performance (stage shows, floor work, etc.).
Most clubs also require dancers to commit to a minimum number of nights per week — and that includes busy weekend shifts.
So when people walk into the club “just to watch,” or when large events take up space without contributing to the ecosystem that dancers rely on to earn money — it doesn’t just “change the vibe.” It directly affects our pay.
Events During Work Hours: The Hidden Cost
Here’s where the issue really escalates.
When clubs host "outsider" events during work hours — comedy nights, corporate parties, film shoots, birthday gatherings — dancers are still expected to show up, pay their house fees, and be available on the floor. But during these events:
The atmosphere changes. Event attendees often don’t engage with the dancers, and in some cases, make them feel uncomfortable or invisible.
Key earning areas are blocked. Stages, VIP booths, and lap dance rooms may be closed or reserved for the event — taking away the tools dancers use to make a living.
There’s no compensation. Dancers are rarely paid for being side-lined during these events. They’re not given a cut of the event profits, nor are their house fees refunded.
Paying a house fee to rent a workspace that isn't fostering a proper work environment isn't worth it.
Essentially, their workspace is being rented out from under them — and they’re left to absorb the financial loss.
Why This Harms Survival Workers
Many people in the sex work industry are survival workers. This means they rely on each night’s income to pay rent, buy groceries, cover medical expenses, support children, and more. A single missed or disrupted shift — especially on a lucrative weekend night — can create a ripple effect of financial instability.
This isn’t just a side gig for most. It’s not “fun money.” It’s a legitimate job that pays the bills, just like everyone else.
Strip Clubs Are Workplaces, Not Theme Parks
There’s a persistent, harmful idea that strip clubs are playgrounds where people can come to gawk, take pictures, or throw parties without engaging in the actual ecosystem. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
A strip club is a workplace. The dancers are workers. We deserve the same respect and protections as anyone else working in any other venue.
If your event disrupts our work and takes up our space, you must compensate the dancers. Full stop.
How to Do Better?
If you’re planning to host an event in a strip club, here’s how to do it ethically:
Pay the dancers. If you’re taking up their time or space, they must be compensated — whether it’s through flat fees, tips, or profit-sharing.
Communicate clearly. Let the club and the dancers know what the event will entail, and ensure they have the option to opt in or out without penalty.
Respect the space. You are entering a workplace. Treat it as such.
Don’t assume entertainment is included. Dancers are not decoration. They are professionals, and if you want them to participate in your event, they should be booked and paid accordingly.
Finally
Hosting unpaid events in strip clubs during working hours is not a "neutral act". It reinforces harmful power dynamics, disrespects labour, and can put already-vulnerable workers at risk of financial instability. Strippers deserve better compensation, transparency, and dignity — just like anyone else doing a job.
If you want to be in strippers' space, respect the hustle and pay them.
