Yesterday, this blog’s occasional Canadian correspondent, Anna Smith, mentioned working in a club called Le Strip in Toronto. Today she expands on that:
“I was afraid to ask for work there at first. It looked so sleazy.”
Le Strip no longer exists. It was my favourite place in the world to work. It called itself a ‘Private Gentleman’s Club’. Membership was $5 a year and the entrance fee was $10 or $8 for seniors. It was not a bar, but actually a theater.
I had been afraid to ask for work there at first. It looked so sleazy. There was a blurry television monitor on the street which displayed the vague outlines of whoever was on stage at the time and a flight of stairs, covered in worn red carpet.
The guys could arrive at noon and stay all day if they wanted, without being hustled to buy drinks.
We had a proper dressing room with lightbulbs around the mirrors. We used the lightbulbs to dry our panties on. The owner was never there, so the strippers essentially ran the place, assisted by two men who worked the door and the DJ booth.
Anna Smith in 1980s (or 1880s?)
We had total artistic freedom and were always finding ways to improve our shows. We would dare each other to do ridiculous things on stage. The place was like a second home to us. We could leave costumes there for weeks and they never got stolen and we were almost constantly laughing, exchanging stories about our adventures.
The customers – or ‘perverts’, as we fondly called them – kept asking “What are you girls always laughing about back there?”
It was a daily six hour party, interrupted only by the fact that every hour-and-a-half we’d have to run out on stage and take our clothes off. Then we’d dash down the steps back into the dressing room and demand of our friends, “What happened? What happened?” to find out what we’d missed.
It paid less than most of the clubs, but had advantages.
The other clubs booked us for one week at a time but, at Le Strip, it was a two week booking. It was downtown, close to the record stores, banks, law courts and other conveniences.
As it was not a bar, we were even allowed to rush our children through the back of the theater into the safety of the dressing room.
One time, an extremely elegant dancer named Zelda Scorch was on stage, sitting on a chair, playing with her bra straps. Her gaunt face had been scarred by acne, but it didn’t show because of the lighting. The audience was suddenly startled by the clear voice of a very young girl, who was being ushered through. She had shouted in astonishment: “Mommy! You’re Beautiful!”
We knew many of the the ‘perverts’ by name.
Anna Smith at peace in Vancouver this year
There was a pair of them who appeared every year with a trophy, like a sports trophy. It was for ‘The Stripper of the Year’.
They would find out who was the newest, shyest young dancer on the roster, have her name inscribed on it and present it to her. I never got one of those, but it was really fun to see happen. The dancer would return from stage in amazement, almost crying, and say: “Look! Look! I can’t believe it! I just got an award! I’m the Stripper of the Year!…”
When I returned to Canada, after an absence of six years, I stopped in at Le Strip, on the way to Vancouver. I thought everyone I knew would be gone, but the minute I stepped through the door I was surrounded by the girls, and the perverts turned round in their seats and called out: “Nurse Annie! Where have you been!”
One of the dancers, Maxine (real name Janet Feindel) wrote a play based on the dressing room conversations at Le Strip. It’s called A Particular Class of Women and it a very good play.
There is a promo for a 2013 production of A Particular Class of Woman on Vimeo.
If A Particular Class of Woman is being produced nearby I usually offer to help with the details. Things that normal people might not get. For example, the fact that we always brought a towel from home to put on our chairs, so as not to develop a rash from sitting bare-assed on vinyl.
Also, if somebody tries to produce the play without Janet’s permission I contact her immediately. She teaches theater now at a university on the east coast. I’m a copyright spy for her.
There was a real spy scandal associated with Le Strip. Not involving the dancers, but one of the DJs. It’s one of the most preposterous stories I’ve ever heard. It was very, very frightening, even though I wasn’t there when it happened. It involved among other things, a trip to Libya, Neo-Nazis in Toronto, the South African Embassy, the Brandenburg Gate and a leather jacket.
There is more on this subject in this 2021 blog…
SO IT GOES - John Fleming's blog 
lol i used to dance there many moons ago, best friend owned it for a while, club was an experience for sure
Hi Sherry I also worked at Le Strip when Ray was the owner I remember Jackie T , Lana. Silvie(French girl) my name was Lola, does anyone know how to Contact Ray/ social media…
Hi Lola, I remember you well, as I do Angelle and Jennifer. Was Danny (who lived with/took care of Don until he passed away) still DJ’ing when you danced there? He may know how to get a hold of Ray.
Hi Brock yes Danny was the Dj when I was at the club, but I don’t have any contact with anyone from the club, the reason I ask is because Jennifer and I did some photos for Ray and would love to see/have access to them, thanks
hi paola, this is Ray, I remember you as an extrememly professional and driven young lady, someone sent me a link to this blog. not sure if it is still active but
you can reach me at ocpik@yahoo.com
hope all is well
I confess! I worked Le Strip for a a short while. I was the fellow in the announce booth, that silver tongued lucky guy who hailed the arrival of Black Satin, Dolly De Milo, Bridgette, Varushka. Recalling Saturdays, there were regulars who formed a small que at Le Strips’ Yonge Street entrance. This Oriental gentleman, an older man, would be the very first to climb the steep set of stairs into the club. It offered comfortable theatre seating, Each performer took to the narrow, eye-level stage for their fifteen minute performance. Refreshments were never offered, My Mother declined any conversation during my Le Strip days, I never listed Le Strip in any job application, The late Doug Henning rehearsed his Royal Alex magic show at a rehearsal hall upstairs .
Hi Richard do you remember a girl name Starkiss
I was one of the children rushed through the theatre to the safety of the dressing room. I don’t remember much but this post brought back some good memories.
Months after I quit my announcer gig, my friend and I took our seats in the intimate theater like audience at Le Strip. The dancer interrupted her performance and shouted out her greeting directly to me, Though but an instant, it elevated me before my friend to incredible heights .
I witnessed a singularly raucous event at Le Strip just once during my short employment there, an after hours party. It was Varushka who tumbled off the narrow stage at this very crowded do. Everyone there kept all their clothes, Varushka was the daughter of a high school principal. The beautiful 19 year old became a stripper for any if the multiple reasons girls take on this type of work with her unique back round.
Norm the bouncer relentlessly reminded anyone of his Roy Orbison security days. I’m careening towards my 70th year looking back on my Le Strip days fifty years ago with a kind of fondness,
I worked at PWDD in St Catharines for 35 years. I attended Le Strip from day it opened in Jan 11, 1971 until it closed Aug 28, 1997 when it closed. After Sept 1 of this year you can reach me at 905-937-8777. I will take any call if anyone has any questions. Obviously I saw nurse Annie dance in the 80’s. I was the gentleman that gave out the trophy every year. I never gave trophy on stage, the trophies were always delivered by taxi and cashier at front would take it to the dressing room. The reason it may have been remembered as being on stage is because some of the dancers brought it out onto the stage. The trophies were purchased from a store in St Catharines. I gave trophies from 1971/72 til club closed. I also gave out 3 “Dancer of the Decade” trophies in that time. Trophies cost 250 to 320 dollars. Here is a list of trophies given out. Candy Kiss was 71-72, Candy was a great dancer. 72-73 was Roxanne, a rather shy and nervous dancer because her pubic hair was really long and I thought it “trophy worthy”. 73-74 was Dianne Da Ville, who had trimmed pubic hair. 74-75 went to Elaine Paris. She was nervous about going nude. Always danced to Elvis Presley songs. 75-76 was Lolita, first black dancer to get the trophy. Only about 20, 110 lbs and very nervous about dancing. 76-77 went to April, black hair and very pretty. Also nervous but liked that job paid well. 77-78 was Linda, blonde hair and shy as well.78-79 was Valerie, she was originally from N.S. and Le Strip was her first club to dance in. The dancer of the decade trophy for the 70’s went to Collette Chante. In 80-81 the dancer was Joy and may have been a friend of Nurse Annie. About 5’3″ and Blonde. Nervous at the start too. 81-82 went to Morgana Rivera, a little more curvy than previous winners with a beautiful smile. 82-83 was Jacky, another black dancer. Also shy when she started. Her husband came to the club to watch her quite often. 83-84 went to Black Magic, who always dressed in black. Nervous at first but soon got very comfortable. 84-85 was Cody Barret aka Foxy Lady , she was an excellent dancer who had danced at club for several years. 85-86 was Morgana Rivera again, first time a dancer won twice. 86-87 was another “Dancer of the Decade” and went to Candice White. Black hair, about 120 lbs who was nervous. Had a mowhawk and even shaved her head. For 87-88 it was Andrea Royce, who looked like adult movie star Rhonda Jo Petty to me. 88-89 was a dancer named Red, brown hair sometimes dyed red. Truly stunning young women. 34 B and a fair amount of experience. When Red danced, every finger had a gold ring on them and a gold chain around her waist. Her belly button had a gold ring and she even had a gold clit piercing. 89-90 was a dancer named Jacky T, long time dancer. Stayed at Le Strip until it closed in 1997.Had breast implants and brown hair. 90-91 was a dancer named Rose, very petite and around 5’3″ and black hair. Shaved herself in a landing strip style. She was very nervous at first. 91-92 went to Mandy, very shy. First dancer I had noticed has pierced nipples. In fact, first poster Sherry was friends with Mandy I believe. My “dancer of the decade for the 90’s went to a dancer named Jacqueline Davis. Very skilled dancer. After that I started bringing trophy to a different club “Whiskey a go go” north of the city.
Nurse Annie mentioned the pervs who were there every week, even to this day in 2020, I am still friends with several of the dancers and my “fellow pervs” 🙂 If you want to contact any of them, give me a call. The original owner, Howard Devin, has passed away. He sold club in 1980 to a man named Don, he owned in until April 1, 1995. Don is available to talk to as well if anyone wants the point of view of a club owner. His # is 416-533-6192 . Ray Pope bought the club from Don. Ray and his wife both were ex dancers so knew more about what is like to be a dancer. In 1988 I had access to a video camera and with dancers permission and the OK of either Don or later Ray, was able to record quite a few of the dancers, who let me record them for free. These days I’m 73, still live in St Catharines but lost a leg to diabetes . My days there were an incredible time and I will never forget it. Your truly, the perv Brock Watts
Hi Brock…I’m hoping you can help me with my memories. During the mid to late 70s I had Records On Wheels store on Yonge Street and Dundas (west side of Yonge street, 3 doors north or Dundas). I use to go Le Strip mostly for afternoon lunch and day drinking …then back to my store. I thought that the girls also waited the tables but took their turn on the stage back then. Am I right…or is that a different Strip Club just south of the Hard Rock? I had two of the dancers come to my store to pose topless by two stationary bikes in front of my store while The RPM magazine took photos. We were promoting Queen’s album All That Jazz..which had a fold out poster inside of topless ladies riding bikes. “I want to ride your bicycle!” . I then had the girls walking topless inside my store. The place was PACKED…including lots of 13 to 14 year old boys acting like they were thumbing through the albums. Cops came in and we hustle the girls out the back. Was sooo much fun. I still have the picture from RPM magazine. Wish I could send it to you to see if you recognize the dancers.
George! How can one get copy of the RPM magazine photos you have, would it be possible to take a photo or a scan of it? Would love to work on archiving it on day 🙂
Hi Sophie…I have the image already scanned. I guess I can’t attach a pic to this blog/forum. So I guess you’ll have to give me an email I guess to send it to. BUT…if I do…will you please let me know if you know any of the ladies that are in the pic. I liked them both.
sophie@answersociety.org
thank you!!
Hi George, Brock thinks he knows you. Did you hang out with Jim Patterson and Al Boddy? The club you mention is not Le Strip as Le Strip only had theater seating . South of Le Strip and then go east sounds like the club you are thinking of. Al we are not sure about but Jimmy is still alive.
Would love to ask you questions!
My mom had the Trophy my whole childhood hood. For many years she claimed it was for tap dancing…. And I wondered why I never saw her in tap shoes 😂
Brock Watts here again, some other dancers I remember were Yvonne Conners from Kitchener around ’73, Yvette in ’72, married to a laywer, had 2 kids and she got divorced. Nervous at the start . Angel Eyes, ’73 and she was very pretty. Unusual act because she told jokes as she stripped. Holly started at age 37 in 1985. 5″2″ and curvy , she danced to Al Green songs. Once on stage she wore purple high heels, leather outfit. In ’76 there was a dancer with stage name Shirley Carson, started around age 42, quite busty. I asked if I could get a table dance and she came out and said she had a problem , I asked what that was. She had taken a shower and was going to sweat a lot. I didn’t mind so we had the dance. One of the most memorable was Gwendolyn, 5’5″ and wore gloves , which not many dancers did. One of her talents was that she could juggle while dancing.
This begs the question: “Juggle what?”
LOL, think it was 3 balls.
There was a dancer named Teri London, born in Cardiff, Wales. She first dance at Victory Theatre in 1968-69 when topless was as nude as was allowed. About 5’6″ with brown hair. Took a year off in 70 but danced at Le Strip in 1971-72. Everything came off by that time. I remember her music well, third song was “are you ready for that” .In 1973 she went back to Victory theatre to win a contest to win a trip to dance in Las Vegas. She won, went to Vegas and I never saw her again.
There was a dancer named Lana she started in 1979 , first was at Zanzibar in 1977. She was about 5’10” and brown hair, in high heels she was 6’1″ > Natural breasts and didn’t shave. On her hips was a tattoo of green hearts. She could do a yoga move when laying on the stage and flutter her stomach like a belly dancer. She could do the splits as well. Some people hated her and some loved her. I was one who was a big fan. Another dancer named LeeAnn who I remember had a bend in her nose. Only danced about a year, had been a high school cheerleader. Some of the patrons remembered her from those days. Always in heels and a nightgown when she came out onto stage. Nervous at first due to recognition but got to be a pro. Probably left due to her being recognized from high school days.
Brock,
I used to go there al the time,
do recall a girl called Amber ( Christine) ?
Oh my God that’s when I work there Christina was working there Rockets Lemoore Gypsy Rider Cherry pink baby doll Lilith Strawberry Fields. I’m so happy I found this page I went by Mercedes
Hi Val, the dancer named Amber I remember was real name Kim and wore white shoes and a orange top, she was very pale with freckles. She owned a flower shop and got married to a Portuguese man. They honeymooned in Portugal. Jacky T used to help her at the flower shop. I remember her dancing to Tom Petty music as well.There was a customer named Doug that was a big fan of hers. I think she may have got divorced and I have lost touch with. Is this the same Amber/Christine that you remember or am I thinking of a different Amber?
I worked Le Strip one time , was more of a Starvin Marvin girl.. This comment is from a Sherry (dancer) are you Mississippy Sherry… I danced under the name Strawberry Cher.. hope you are well and everything is good for you ..
Why would any decent person promote this filth and reminisce about this slutty so-called job? Shame on you. You are pathetic.
Judge not less ye be judged take a chill pill.
Amelia you have to take a chill pill don’t be judging people I got my start there when I was 19 years old don’t be judging people. Best memories ever
Oh Amelia, keep your harmful judgement to yourself. You’re not gaining anything by hating people.
Amelia, “Slutty and promoting filth” “Shame on you”. Why are you here?
Why are you reading this blog if your sanctimonious self deems it pathetic? Those girls made more money than you and they were probably better looking than you and that’s what your problem is. They weren’t the one with the problem you are and they probably stole your husband’s attention because you’re too boring.
Right on Cindy give it right back to her my memories are quite fond in the dressing room hanging with the girls in the 80s when I first started dancing at 19 LOL
i was a dj at le strip lates 70’s then went on to operate the zanzibar from 1980 to 1990 jillys from 1990 to 95 then the sundowner from 95 to 2004.
I wonder if you were working there when I started back in the 1980s I was 19 years old went by the stage named Mercedes and primarily danced to rough trade David Bowie, Hendrix. Worked with people like Cherry pink, baby doll, Lilith, Rocket’s Lemoore, Gypsy Rider, Christina. That’s when done on the place.
Hi Mercedes, do you remember Cody Barret ? She used to dance at Le Strip in the 80’s too. And do you remember Don Cullen, who used to own the club? His nephew Jim dj’ed there as well as a guy named Danny. One of the DJ’s named Ron I think used to play his own music between songs. I have been posting for Brock for a couple of years (as he was in a home by then and couldn’t type) and he for sure knew you, as did my friend Bruce as they went to the club since it first opened in the early 70’s right until it closed in 1997. Both Don and Brock passed away in the last year. I didn’t start until 1989 when I moved to Toronto but to this day, Le Strip was far and away my favorite club.
I remember Jim now oh my God It’s All Coming Back to Me oh I’m so happy you reached out.
Actually now that my memory is working LOL I also remember I had a thing going on with a chick downstairs at Sunrise Records her name was Carol I will never forget Carol LOL as well as one of the girls I was working with.
I just found out recently that a dancer who went by stage name of Candy Kiss passed away from a heart attack not that long ago. She danced at Le Strip from ’71 to ’78.
sorry to hear about Brock, he was a nice fellow. his friend and c0-regular Bruce, was also a very interesting character. i think he used to come in from the Barrie area, big supporter of the girls.
Again, sorry to hear of Brock’s passing…
Ray
Anyone remember GoldFingers in Rexdale? An east Indian man named Sandy used to run it around 1995. Females Dancers upstairs. Male Dancers Downstairs. Chippendale’s I believe. Beside Albion mall. Any information would be grateful. He was a great boss to dance for and gave me a chance when I needed one.
There were clubs that I remember that used to have the boy/girl thing in that general area…the Foxxes Den further up in Brampton and the Pleasure Dome/ Beyond the Dome (males) in Rexdale
Hi Wendy…curious what your stage name was when used to dance?
Just found out that Don Cullen, who used to own Le Strip for quite a few years, just passed away this weekend. He had a ton of friends and will be missed greatly.
There is a celebration of Don’s life tomorrow, Sunday January 15, 2023 from 2pm-5pm at the Fraternal Order of Eagles, 17 Elm St. Toronto.
I got my start with Don I was 19 fresh and green LOL I remembered Don was worried to give me a job because I was a lesbian LOL. I remember getting busted for indecent theatrical performance, and Don was by my side. The judge ended up throwing it out of court. Dodged a bullet there LOL
Back in 1984 there was a dancer named Audrey who used wear a yellow bikini and used to be a bodybuilder with impressive muscles. Another dancer, named Lee Ann who was a cheerleader, she also danced in the Don Cullen era as well.
Wow… as a teeneger I was introduced o Le Strip during one of our March breaks… First time seeing these burlesque type shows. Needless to say whenever I was downtown I would make sure I would spend a few hours sitting in those theatre seats with dollar bills in my hands to give to my favorite lady of the day as she danced on stage… Fantastic memories… I miss the Old Yonge street strip..
Would anyone in this thread be interested in participating in a podcast produced by a Sex work and erotic labour organization out of Edmonton to speak about your experience in strip clubs in the 1980’s?
Oh my God back in the day I got my start there I miss it so much many great memories many great girls. I remember Cherry pink love that little girl literally LOL, Lilith, Jasmine and her trick she would show us backstage LOL, strawberry Fields, Simone, Rockets Lemoore, Gypsy Rider, baby doll, Christina , black magic , Ginger, Moe, so many others can’t remember LOL. Oh how I’d love to get in touch with baby doll and Cherry pink 🖤 Mercedes
Oh my God back in the day I got my start there I miss it so much many great memories many great girls. I remember Cherry pink love that little girl literally LOL, Lilith, Jasmine and her trick she would show us backstage LOL, strawberry Fields, Simone, Rockets Lemoore, Gypsy Rider, baby doll, Christina , black magic , Ginger, Moe, so many others can’t remember LOL. Oh how I’d love to get in touch with baby doll and Cherry pink 🖤 Mercedes I remember I was only 19 years old from a small City being a lesbian and a stripper back then was no easy task trust me. I remember the girls would wonder how do you know what to do if you’re a lesbian LOL
That sounds awesome no shame in my game I was 19 living my life kicking ass having a great time so many great memories in the change room with the girls.
Hello! A while ago me and my friend came across this article, and we were very moved by the camaraderie and nostalgia embodied by the article and the comments beneath it. We were in fact so moved that in October we went to the former premises of Les Strip to pay tribute. The premises are currently a Stag Shop and a hot pot Chinese restaurant (where my friend was very bewildered and annoyed at my confusion of how hot pot restaurants work). It was a very memorable experience, and we were both glad to have done it. We talk about Le Strip often, and it holds an outsized place in our lives for two people born after it closed its doors.
I was wondering if anyone who worked at and/or patronized Le Strip would be willing to talk to the two of us about their memories of the place. It would mean a lot to the both of us. 🙂
I worked as a doorman/ cashier/DJ at Le Strip from 1983-1994 and I am curious why a business that “closed before you were born” holds so much interest for you and your friend?
Hello! I can see why you were a little thrown off, so let me try and explain as best I can.
It was February 26, 2023. Me and my friend were sitting at my dining room table and we were having a discussion about strip clubs. At some point we decided to look up what people who had actually worked at strip clubs had to say, and we stumbled upon the various articles on this blog about Le Strip. I don’t know what we had been expecting, but it definitely wasn’t what we found. It seemed that for everyone who worked there, Le Strip was not just an avenue to earn money but something deeper, richer, purer. There was something quite so human in the way the people who worked and patronized Le Strip talked about and remembered it.
In my life, I have often been accused of being a sentimentalist (and I am all but certain my friend could tell you the same). In this case, that definitely applied. We were both very moved by what we read, and it was that force of emotion that compelled us to visit the former premises of Le Strip and for me to ask if anyone who worked/patronized there would be willing to share some of their memories with us. I hope that clears things up! 🙂
Hi Sherri…I worked as doorman/cashier/DJ at Le Strip from 1982-94.
I was hired by my ex-girlfriend (who danced under the stage name “Black Magic”) as a result of a chance meeting with she and her boyfriend (soon to become husband) outside of McDonald’s in the summer of 1982.
At the time she and her boyfriend had a management agreement with Don Cullen where they would handle the day to day running of the club and she would appear once a month to perform there. At the time she was one of the highest paid strippers in Canada and could command a weekly fee anywhere in Canada that was hard to believe.
I can attest that the “spy story” you mentioned was indeed true and involved one of Le Strip’s DJ’s named Grant Bristow.
Grant became a vital undercover CI for CSIS during a lengthy investigation into the neo-Nazi/extremist far right in the mid-80’s/mid-90’s as a result of a meeting between he and Heritage Front member Max French which occurred at Le Strip.
Grant’s undercover role was exposed by Toronto Sun reporter Bill Dunphy in the mid-90’s and the rest, as they say, was history.
There is a lot more to the backstory that I won’t get into here but I have been giving some thought to writing a memoir about in the future.
Did you also,know that that largest counterfeit money scheme in Canadian history also had its genesis at Le Strip (both in conception and later discovery by authorities)?
But that’s a story for another time.
Cheers!😊
I also worked there under the name Starkiss, Also had 2 friends that worked there Brandy & Barbie but loss touch with them over the years.