Real Luck Cafe - Pittsburgh

[Maxx00]

Hey guys,

Any intel on the Real Luck Cafe (“Lucky’s”) in Pittsburgh?  I’ve scoured the forum but can only find rather vague mentions. I know the have nude dancers on the second floor multiple days of the week and it sounds like they allow smoking. That’s about it.

Is it just a bar to watch naked guys and that’s it or can you get lap or private dances? What types of guys are dancing? What kind of crowd on a weekend? How late are they open?

Planning on making my first trip out there soon and just looking to find out what to expect so I can be prepared, like if I should bring wads of cash. 😁

Thanks for any info!

[+ azdr0710]

Please let us know how it goes. In particular, if the second-floor dancers are typically fully naked in the main area most of the time. I'd like to update the main thread on US clubs if necessary. Thanks. 

[pubic_assistance]

I went there once.  Pretty typical dive-bar scene, except that it's a gay bar.  Run-down, cheap beer, deep pours, and some cheap bar food choices. No "lap-dances" or public nudity/ sex etc.

The crowd is typical for Pittsburgh. Blue collar guys you'd not necessarily pick out as being gay. Dancers are just ok. ( But then haven't been recently ) so can't speak to who's there now.

My impression is that most of the young men who were dancing there in the past were available for hire. If you stick a $ 20 in their sneaker, that is the signal to see you afterwards to discuss.

Overall Pittsburgh isn't known for its gorgeous men. It's a working class town with working class guys. For me, the fun was always those guys who you'd never think in a million years were gay.

Lots of Bromosexuals. 😆

 

[pocono]

Love strippers so went there about 18 months ago on a Saturday night. Everyone smoked but us.

Total dive bar in an empty part of the city. Doesn’t look like much outside or in. 

The first floor looked like a typical dive bar, but interesting had a card table with windmill cookies???

After ordering a drink (very cheap) the bartender at the upstairs bar put his cigarette down, stood up and made us drinks. The gogo boys were all very slightly built twinks… not very interesting.

We left about 1/2 hour after we arrived. 
 

As he of the very few nude bars in America, Lucky’s has a great opportunity to corner the mid Atlantic. Frankly it was very disappointing. Maybe just a bad night. I’d love to hear other reviews.

 

 

[pubic_assistance]

47 minutes ago, pocono said:

Lucky’s has a great opportunity to corner the mid Atlantic. Frankly it was very disappointing.

Most everything in Pittsburgh is disappointing.

 

[msclwrsper]

I happen to be in Pittsburgh for business in April of this year and was able to go to Luckys on a Saturday night. I was pleasantly surprised at how crowded it was. I would agree with the sentiment that it is a normal crowd. But I would not hate on Pittsburgh so much! There were some attractive men there, who filled their shirts and jeans nicely. And then there were a lot of other regular Joe’s . And that’s OK. It can’t be a circuit party every Saturday night in every city in the United States!

As for the dancers, I would definitely agree that it was nothing to write special notes in my memoir. Some regular guys who are dancing nude on the bar to make a buck. And some appreciative customers making sure that we kept the nude male bar tradition alive in the US! There was an incredibly attractive, young man with a very nice body and handsome face who looked like he was hustling. He never got up on the bar, but he was certainly known by many of the patrons. I would’ve given him many dollars that night. Turns out, I went back for, a little while on Sunday evening and he was indeed a dancer. He was the only one that fit my tastes for both nights.  
 

But clearly all the dancers were appreciated by the clientele on both Saturday and Sunday evening. I was glad to see it! And I made sure that I spent my dollars in the bar as well so that the lucky tradition would continue! Would I have spent that money on those particular men in any bar in my hometown? Probably not. But I’m happy. to support the arts!

[Buff Daddy]

Philadelphia  to Pittsburgh on Amtrak . Very doable over a weekend. Now I have to check this place out. Good report Muscle 

 

[Maxx00]

So, quick update: Stopped by briefly on Friday night around 1:30am, knowing they close at 2am (if Yelp is to be believed). I was shocked how busy they were at that time! Took far too long to find street parking, especially with the way streets are set up in Pittsburgh.

Anyway, finally made it in at 1:45am and the place was packed, almost uncomfortably so. They showed no signs of shutting down for the night. Made my way to the stairs and the second floor was even more crowded, mostly men but a few women. There were, indeed, four completely naked guys dancing on this tiny square bar, pretty much one at each corner, all appearing to be in their early 20s. One with a partial sleeve tat was HOT, lean but muscular. Another with dark curly hair was extremely cute, twinkish but defined. The third was cute and standing at attention the whole time. He seemed to be really enjoying himself. The fourth was not what I would consider to have the body for this work, but more power to him.  There were a few more shirtless guys in the crowd but not sure if those were other dancers or just patrons getting in the mood.

As I mentioned, it was packed and difficult to move around or even find a place to stand where you wouldn’t be in the way of someone else trying to move. Couldn’t get anywhere near the bar. Oh, and smoking is definitely a thing at this place. Having had lung issues in the past, knew I would need to be careful. Can’t believe this still exists in 2024. The bar room was pretty small but across the hall was an even smaller room with a few standing tables. Wasn’t as crowded but that’s not what you come to see.

After about 10 minutes of feeling really uncomfortable in such a smoky, crowded place, and getting a good look at the dancers, I fought my way through the crowd and out the door. Never heard anything about a last call or any indication that they were closing soon. Maybe the closing time is dependent on the crowds. Found out the next day there was a pride parade the next day so that may have contributed to the crowds. Was going to go again Saturday but, with the crowds I experienced Friday so late and it lacking the potential of a more “personal” experience (and my hotel around 30 mins away) I decided to pass. I may stop by earlier on Sunday before I leave town Monday morning. I’ll update if anything different to share.

So, in short, too crowded, too smoky, mostly cute nude dancers. Glad I went, but nothing to make a special trip over. The experience I had at BJ’s a couple weeks ago may have spoiled me. 😁

[Buff Daddy]

Great report Maxx. Buffdaddy doesn't like the smoking situation 😒.  Yes you would  think 2024. I guess the local police are not enforcing the 2am closing time. I use to promote at a bar in Scranton PA. They had the clocks set 20 min ahead. One night the cops did come in like 10 min after 2am to make sure  no drinks were being served. I'm glad the place was busy. I still  wanna make a trip there. 

[+ azdr0710]

Thanks @Maxx00 for the excellent report. Good to hear the place is busy (and that it still qualifies for the "full nudity" list!)

Edited June 2, 2024 by azdr0710

[BSR]

On 6/2/2024 at 6:30 AM, Maxx00 said:

There were, indeed, four completely naked guys dancing on this tiny square bar, pretty much one at each corner, all appearing to be in their early 20s. One with a partial sleeve tat was HOT, lean but muscular. Another with dark curly hair was extremely cute, twinkish but defined. The third was cute and standing at attention the whole time. He seemed to be really enjoying himself.

Sounds fun, but your report of all the smoke really turns me off.  I absolutely HATE smoke:  makes me feel like I'm gonna cough up a lung, not to mention it makes my eyes water, your clothes reek, your hair (what's left of mine, at least).  UGH!

Oh wait, cute sexy guys full Monty?  One with his manhood pointing due north better than a compass??  Yuppers, just added Lucky's to my bucket list.

[jake1973]

anybody know if this is Lucky's or somewhere  else?

[Maxx00]

16 hours ago, jake1973 said:

anybody know if this is Lucky's or somewhere  else?

I don’t think this is Lucky’s.  From my limited experience, the guys are only nude while on the bar and not when hanging out with the customers. Plus, the bar itself doesn’t look like what I remember. Would love to know where this is, though!

[jayjaycali]

Palm tree in the sunset in the background.  Upper right has some plate saying "Florida".  There's a Pennsylvania plate up top next to it but I think that's just decor.  Lower right bracelet looks like it's from Gates Hotel Key West, similar logo.  

I'd guess Florida, Key West at one of the clothing optional spots?  

Edited June 14, 2024 by jayjaycali

[+ KD74]

Looks like pool bar at Bourbon Street Pub, Key West

[Maxx00]

Yep, definitely not Lucky’s. Found picture of same guy poolside.  Does this look like the Bourbon Street Pub?

[zzed]

5 hours ago, Maxx00 said:

Yep, definitely not Lucky’s. Found picture of same guy poolside.  Does this look like the Bourbon Street Pub?

Yup... sure looks like it. Great place.

[Keenan]

On 6/2/2024 at 9:30 AM, Maxx00 said:

So, quick update: Stopped by briefly on Friday night around 1:30am, knowing they close at 2am (if Yelp is to be believed). I was shocked how busy they were at that time! Took far too long to find street parking, especially with the way streets are set up in Pittsburgh.

Anyway, finally made it in at 1:45am and the place was packed, almost uncomfortably so. They showed no signs of shutting down for the night. Made my way to the stairs and the second floor was even more crowded, mostly men but a few women. There were, indeed, four completely naked guys dancing on this tiny square bar, pretty much one at each corner, all appearing to be in their early 20s. One with a partial sleeve tat was HOT, lean but muscular. Another with dark curly hair was extremely cute, twinkish but defined. The third was cute and standing at attention the whole time. He seemed to be really enjoying himself. The fourth was not what I would consider to have the body for this work, but more power to him.  There were a few more shirtless guys in the crowd but not sure if those were other dancers or just patrons getting in the mood.

As I mentioned, it was packed and difficult to move around or even find a place to stand where you wouldn’t be in the way of someone else trying to move. Couldn’t get anywhere near the bar. Oh, and smoking is definitely a thing at this place. Having had lung issues in the past, knew I would need to be careful. Can’t believe this still exists in 2024. The bar room was pretty small but across the hall was an even smaller room with a few standing tables. Wasn’t as crowded but that’s not what you come to see.

After about 10 minutes of feeling really uncomfortable in such a smoky, crowded place, and getting a good look at the dancers, I fought my way through the crowd and out the door. Never heard anything about a last call or any indication that they were closing soon. Maybe the closing time is dependent on the crowds. Found out the next day there was a pride parade the next day so that may have contributed to the crowds. Was going to go again Saturday but, with the crowds I experienced Friday so late and it lacking the potential of a more “personal” experience (and my hotel around 30 mins away) I decided to pass. I may stop by earlier on Sunday before I leave town Monday morning. I’ll update if anything different to share.

So, in short, too crowded, too smoky, mostly cute nude dancers. Glad I went, but nothing to make a special trip over. The experience I had at BJ’s a couple weeks ago may have spoiled me. 😁

Thanks for this update.  Barring any changes I will be there dancing the evening of August 17th so I will report back with my perspective as a dancer there.

Keenan

[Maxx00]

On 7/12/2024 at 4:47 PM, Keenan said:

Thanks for this update.  Barring any changes I will be there dancing the evening of August 17th so I will report back with my perspective as a dancer there.

Keenan

Good luck! Looking forward to your report.

Realized I never posted an update after I stopped by on that Sunday so I’ll rectify that now.

Sunday, June 2nd, I arrived at 10:15pm and the downstairs bar was fairly quiet. Made my way upstairs to find a pretty deserted room with the bartender and around a half dozen customers, mostly by themselves, sitting at the bar or along the walls. No dancers in sight. Got a drink and sat along the wall while I waited to see what would happen. BTW, the drink price was pretty good, $6.50 for a Jack & Coke. Not a huge drink, but very reasonable.

At around 10:20pm, three dancers came out in all their glory. Pretty sure two of them I saw on Friday, the hot tatted guy and the twink. Happy to see both. The third was nothing to write home about. A few more customers started showing up shortly after. The tatted guy seemed to be a bit standoffish but the other two liked to engage with the customers. I chatted with the twink a bit and he seemed pretty friendly, but I didn’t inquire as to how friendly. 😉

Anyway, with an early morning flight the next day, I headed out around 11pm. No idea if they do any kind of private dances and never saw any other dancers.  Probably around a dozen customers when I left.  

Glad I want back and saw a more relaxed evening. If I ever make it back to Pittsburgh, I would certainly stop by again, as long as it’s not too crowded!

[Keenan]

Hey guys, if you are in the Pittsburgh area or plan to come through I'll be dancing at Lucky's this Saturday evening.  If you are there and see me let me know.  I'll post and update next week on my experience.

Keenan

[Keenan]

As promised I said I would give an update as I was supposed to dance at Lucky's this evening.  Well this isn't the update I wanted to give.  I drove out to Pittsburgh from Baltimore today and was arriving in the area around 7pm.  This past week I had confirmed with the manager and he said to be there by 9:30pm this evening.  Around 6:45pm I get a text from him saying that the water main outside broke and that the basement of Lucky's was flooded and as a precaution the fire department shut off the power.  He said unfortunately Lucky's would be closed this evening and on facebook there is a posting that Lucky's is closed this evening as confirmed and tomorrow.  I don't know the extent of the damage, the manager said Lucky's could be closed for a few weeks.  What I do know is Lucky's is on shakey ground.  The current owner of Lucky's is apparently is in poor health with cancer.  As I was told she has a daughter who would inherit Lucky's but would most likely sell.  Hopefully that doesn't happen anytime soon as Lucky's as far as I know is the last bar of it's kind on the east coast, with the closing of Secrets during the pandemic that leaves us with Lucky's as the only operating gay strip club that doesn't run as an event. 

With all of that said I'm keeping positive and hoping that Lucky's can be reopened within a few weeks.  I asked the manager to pencil me in for October 19th and assuming all goes well my hope is to travel out there once every other month to dance.  Until that time I am going to start working on seeing if we can bring nude dancers back here to Baltimore.  I know management at the Gentlemans Gold Club here in Baltimore.  Yes I know the history hasn't been the greatest starting with the Back Door Lounge back in 2011 but that was just one event that failed and was primarily run by management at the Gold Club.  My hope within the next few weeks is to bring an event there on the smaller side of the club which would be an "Atlantis Reunion".  Honestly now we probably aren't getting any of the past Atlantis dancers for this event but the idea is we are going to try to provide something (at least for a few hours) what hasn't been available in the Baltimore/DC area since before the pandemic.  If the event is successful hopefully it will continue but only time will tell.  While a date is still to be set and details worked out there will be no cover for this event.  Yes drink prices aren't the cheapest but the hope is we can get 100+ people out to enjoy nude male dancers in Baltimore.  When I have more details I will post, I will say I am working with one of the past owners of Secrets who recently moved to Baltimore to hopefully make this a reality.  Also let me say this, while there might be muscular dancers and twinks we will have all body types to appeal to everyone who comes, that means there will also be bear dancers and your boy next door type.  No one that comes will feel uncomfortable which is the goal.  

I guess with everything else I'll take the time to mention that no, I'm not the perfect body type that you'd think of when you see a dancer but I am proud of who I am and what I've accomplished.  I've held the titles World Cub 2023 and Mr. Mayhem Leather Bear 2022.  I have advocated for those with disabilities seen and unseen designing a pocket flag with the help of Wolfstryker Leather.  I setup Disability Accessible to allow event organizers to survey their attendees on accessibility needs.  I have held roundtable discussions on disabilities in the kink community virtually, at OKC Kink Weekend and at World Bear Weekend.  I have competed at Maryland Leather in 2019, I have competed at MAL in 2020 and I competed at IML in 2023 beyond the two titles I won at BBM and WBW.  I am now taking Disability Accessible to the next level setting up a 501 (c) 3 which will have funds available to event organizers to help with accessibility needs such as wheel chair ramps, interpreters and more.  The 501 (c) 3 will also provide education on how to make events accessible to those with disabilities.  I am also going to be producing the Mid Atlantic Bear, Cub and Pet competition to be held second weekend of September 2025; open to anyone from NJ, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, DC and Virginia.  In my community last year I was presented with the Leatherperson of the Year award and a service award from another local group.  That is just the beginning.

So why am I on here as a provider and why do I want to dance.  It's for me, I've always wanted the opportunity to dance, I auditioned back in 2004 at Atlantis, then I was too shy (go figure).  I auditioned at Secrets when they first opened and was told I didn't fit their look.  I auditioned at Secrets a second time for their bear night, this time I was told I wasn't bearish enough.  I guess what I am trying to say is there is a body type for everyone, when and if (hopefully) the event happens which hopefully will eventually lead to a new gay strip club in the Baltimore/DC area dancers will be of all body types to appeal to all.  

I'll keep everyone updated on the event and when Lucky's reopens I will post here when I will be dancing there.  Hopefully everyone will come out and support both.  Right now any money I can raise from being a provider or from dancing (sexwork in general) will be going to support both World Bear Weekend which is $67k in debt and the 501 (c) 3 I am starting.  If you want to donate to either one I have placed links below.

World Bear Weekend Fundraiser
Disability Accessible Fundraiser

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Keenan

 

[Keenan]

Update....Apparently Lucky's got their waterline fixed and they were opened yesterday.

Keenan

[Keenan]

So take 2, after the failed attempt this past Saturday after Lucky's closed unexpectedly for flooding assuming all things go as planned I should be dancing there on Saturday September 21st and then on October 19th.  As promised before I will report back on my perspective as a dancer there.  Hope that some of you can come out and support.

Keenan

[Keenan]

As promised here is my review as a dancer as Lucky's.  I got there just a little before 9:30pm.  Manager who books the dancers requests dancers there by 9:30pm as they open up the second floor at 10pm and that's when dancers need to be on the bar dancing.  While there were a lot of rules for dancers it was actually pretty laid back and some of the rules I think are more there as they need to mention them.  Beyond that there were six of us dancing last night, no limit to how many dancers can be on the bar but throughout the night they require a minimum of two dancers on the bar at all times.  This means that if a break is to be taken and there are only two dancers on the bar need to wait until someone returns.  No limit to how many breaks or how long though of course the more time spent on the bar the more potential to make more tips.  Also as far as taking a break, dancers must go upstairs as dancers aren't allowed to mingle with customers while on break.  Dancers also are technically only allowed to spend one song with a customer when on the bar, though I think some dancers push that.   Dancers work for tips only.  Beyond myself who traveled four hours from Baltimore, there was another dancer that made a two hour travel to dance there last night.  The night started out slow but picked up towards the middle of the evening.  Most of the dancers were in their mid-late 20s or early 30s with the exception of myself and one other dancer but as I learned last night having a variety of dancers makes sure there is something to appeal to all.  As I found there were some customers there who were really generous with their tips whenever I made my way around to them.  With an older in general my overall feel was that having a mix of older and younger and different body types really helped customers feel more comfortable.  Definitely not like Secrets was where the dancers were all muscular or twink.  In fact on October 19th they are supposed to be having their bear night which they have every so often.  Overall a great night, I enjoyed my time dancing there and assuming all goes well should be back potentially as early as late October or mid-November and at least on a monthly basis.  Unless it's a special event they do close at 2am just to clarify an earlier post above.  Also yes they do allow smoking and it's cash only.  If anyone has any questions please let me know.

Keenan

[+ azdr0710]

@Keenan   Is full nudity still allowed or typical on the bar?  I want to keep the 'clubs with full nudity ' list current. Thanks for the report