When you think of stripping history, you might imagine the burlesque clubs of the 1930s, the playful pinup girls from the 1950s, or the go-go dancers of the swinging 60s. But did you know that the history of stripping actually goes much, much further back than that?
Texas strip clubs are just one part of this sexy story because as it turns out, this all-American tradition has roots in a prehistoric past. If you’ve ever wondered about how stripping became the adults-only entertainment that we know and love today, we’re inviting you to come along on a journey to discover the origin of modern gentlemen’s clubs in Texas.
The Ancient Art of the Striptease
There’s no doubt that there’s plenty of Texas strip club history to cover, but first, let’s talk about something that most people don’t know: exotic dancers have been around just about as long as humans have.
The earliest evidence of stripping and exotic dancing has been found in Paleolithic cave paintings that are more than 20,000 years old. For thousands of years, sensual dancing has been a huge part of countless cultures around the world – and we can’t say we’re surprised. Odds are, you’re already well-aware that a nearly-nude woman with a penchant for pleasuring audiences is something to appreciate.
From the New Stone Age to the Greek and Roman empires, erotic dancers played an important part in entertainment, sacred ceremonies, and rituals. If you fast-forward to the Middle East in the fourteenth century, belly dancing became a highly popular form of sexual entertainment. Dancers remained fully-clothed but still managed to put on an incredibly provocative performance through their movements alone.
As you can see, the people of ancient times definitely weren’t as reserved as many people might think. In fact, we have them to thank for starting a practice that, over thousands of years, would blossom into the Texas bachelor parties, birthday celebrations, and memorable nights out that we enjoy today.
The Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries Keep the Flirty Fun Going
You’ve probably already guessed that stripping wasn’t about to go anywhere anytime soon, especially because it was such a big part of cultures around the globe. But what you might not have known – until now – is that your European history teacher probably left out the part about the exotic dancers in the king’s court.
Throughout the eighteenth century, erotic entertainment was considered a must for any high-class event. Virtually every celebration featured “ladies of the court,” who were hired to put on a sultry show for the event guests.
In the late 1800s, the earliest versions of strip clubs started to pop up in the form of burlesque houses. Britain was home to a variety of burlesque venues, and the sexy shows arrived in America in the late 1860s.
By the end of the 1800s, the playful performances became hotter than ever, as the striptease officially made its debut. Dancers would slowly seduce their audiences by removing layers of clothing until they were wearing nothing more than barely-there pasties and a G-string.
Not much later, the great state of Texas claimed its spot in strip club history: but that’s a story we’ll continue next time.
Baby Dolls Saloon: The Best in Texas Strip Clubs Past, Present, and Future
Now that you’ve explored a small slice of the history of stripping, don’t you think it’s time to do a little in-person discovery? At Baby Dolls Saloon, you can conduct plenty of real-life “research” on the topic of what it takes to be the best strip club in Texas.
Interested in reading up on the more recent history of strip clubs? We’re putting together part two of our deep dive into the fascinating story of stripping in Texas and around the world, so you can become a true expert on the topic.
But to truly experience the tantalizing temptation of topless entertainment at its finest – not to mention incredible Southern-style food, a well-stocked bar, and more – make your way to Baby Dolls Saloon. From our smoking hot strippers to the perfectly laid-back ambiance of our first-class club, you can count on an epic night (or day!) out that will go down in history.
Featured Image: Lorelyn Medina / Shutterstock
