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Were any other regulars in attendance today?

All things considered, I'd say you handled it about as well as could be expected. As has been discussed a while ago in this thread, most dancers will take a subtle (or not so subtle) hint fairly promptly (it may require a bit of perseverance in some cases) and move on. Have rarely experienced this type of thing at Barb's, although I can recall a very few notable exceptions. Speaking of etiquette, I've certainly never heard a dancer refer to another girl in the club quite so harshly as you have quoted.

As odd as this may seem, to me there's just something especially nice about dropping in to one's favourite SC during the winter months. Something about walking through the weather, slowly making progress against a headwind or, on a still day, having one's hood up as big snowflakes descend through the air with night falling early or the near darkness of a really overcast day, trudging through streetside snowbanks or drifts and finally encountering the warm, cocoon-like ambience of the club, still dark of course but with a welcoming familiarity. Shrugging off one's winter coat and then setting it aside and preparing to scope out the day's (or evening's) scenario, acquiring a beverage and allowing oneself a temporary escape from the rigours of the season. Of course, many of the same sensations are present when visiting any time of the year, but in a strange way it seems there's a sense in which the cave-like interior is just that much more pleasant when reached after a walk, however long or brief, through the cold and snow of a typical local winter day or night. Hope to be able to experience this as the days shorten and the mercury falls.

Thanks for the intel, tpl. Haven't kept up with vacation plans in recent weeks - was only aware of the previous sojurn in the Netherlands. Really appreciate the info - I'll have a better idea of when to plan an outing.

Probably your best bet in this regard is the Playmate on Montreal Rd. PM me for details of my experience if you think this would be useful, dko66.

See my PM, canjockey.

Were any glimmers of blondeness observed?

Hoping for tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon.

Didn't realize this sort of thing occurred at the 'Fax. Was under the impression that it was typical practice in many clubs in Montreal, but was unaware that the vile custom had migrated from the Sixth Republic to Ottawa establishments. It's been some time since I've attended in the evenings and into the night in any case. Can usually stroll into Barb's and secure my fave table on most occasions. Still a bit surprised, as Kilt Boy's post suggests this was happening during the afternoon hours. Btw KB, kudos to you for an SC immersion of truly epic (11 hours!) duration.

Wow that's astonishing, at least to me. Don't think I've ever seen a 'Reserved' sign on a table at an SC in this town.

Thanks for the report, curmudgeon. Sounds like it was a fine Saturday afternoon at 340. (Quite a difference from the description of the atmosphere on a recent Saturday afternoon.) Now wish I'd stopped in early in the afternoon, but by the time I got finished dodging raindrops and construction sites in the downtown core just wasn't in the best shape and mood. Prefer to have the time to relax for a while and, if need be, wait patiently for an ATF.

Hoping to get in for a visit soon too. Almost stopped in this afternoon (9/17) but spent more time running around downtown (and getting drenched) than anticipated. In addition to the lovely Ariel, it's also fair to say that the gorgeous Jenny is seen by many as a "star attraction". Wondering if she has returned this week from a short vacation - certainly hope so!

After reading more reports in the 'Barb's' thread about things being quiet (especially on Saturday) I'm hoping that LYLA-ites will try to drop in to 340 for a drink and (maybe) some dances. Planning to get back soon, hoping that ATF Jenny will have returned from a short vacation. See you at Barb's!

Dropped by the 'Mate Thursday afternoon last week (9/1) and was a bit surprised to see so few dancers I recognized. Apart from Candy and perhaps one other lady, all seemed unfamiliar. Perhaps I'm just not enough of a regular to even know who the regulars are but whenever I'm in the club (in the afternoons) there seems to be a whole new cast of characters. On this day found a blonde with a very impressive rear view and a tall, inked dark-haired beauty quite eye catching. Don't believe I've ever seen either one in the past. No Adora, Delicious or Vegas. Perhaps I'm thinking of this club in the wrong way i.e. there are no regulars, but many posters in this thread seem to suggest otherwise. Guess I'll have to get in more often to figure things out.

Have a vague recollection of hearing about this place on Nicholas. At the time, it was said that many of the dancers were UofO students, but not sure how accurate that really was.

Fascinating bit of Ottawa nightlife history! When was this?

Again dropped into 340 on a Saturday afternoon (7/30). Found the place to be a bit busier than on recent visits, more the way I recall Saturday afternoons being in previous years. Seems that the dancers were taking three turns on stage instead of the usual two, at least this seemed to be the situation on my last two Saturday visits. The always lovely Jenny was in attendance (after a short vacation) and it is always so nice to encounter her after an absence. Noticed only a few other dancers from about 2:30 - 3:00. (Thought one of them might have been Ariel, but it's been a while since I've seen her so a little unsure - gorgeous brunette wearing a red bikini in any case.) Departed at about 3:45.

Don't know anything about her previously being at Tease (although she seemed to be familiar with the 'Mate) but your description sounds quite a bit like the Maddy who was at Barb's on Friday afternoon (7/22).

Dropped in to 340 fairly early (for me anyway) Friday (7/22) and found things to be moderately busy at about 12:15. A little after 12:30 witnessed a daytime 'showcase', a first for me as I usually get in closer to 1:30 or 2:00 on weekdays. Did not recognize very many dancers although Serena looked somewhat familiar - may have seen her a while ago, but not really sure. Before and after the 'showcase', saw Harley, Maya, Serena and Maddy onstage. Noticed Lina looking very lovely and curvy as she walked around the club. One convenient aspect of the 'showcase' is that one can figure out fairly quickly which dancers are in for the afternoon - was a bit surprised to recognize so few. Things quieted down considerably as the lunch crowd drifted out, but there seemed to be at least some CR traffic between 1:00 and 1:30. Didn't stay around much longer as no ATFs were in attendance. As usual, was hoping for a Jenny sighting but it was not to be on this occasion. Since Friday afternoon has typically been a good time to find Jenny in, I'm wondering if she's been away on vacation recently or just decided to take the day off. If possible, might drop in tomorrow afternoon - have had more luck finding Jenny in on Saturdays lately, but I guess it's difficult to generalize and, as someone once posted, "Saturdays are always a mystery". Any info re Jenny sightings or intel re her schedule always appreciated. Hope that regular readers of this thread will continue to report on the Barb's experience. P.S. : Stopped by briefly on Sat. (7/23) afternoon and saw Tianna and Sasha onstage between about 2:15 - 2:45 - Juicy was about to go on when I departed a bit before 3:00. During this brief visit, these were the only 3 dancers observed.

This seems to be a reasonable anticipation of the probable course of future events. Agree that it's a good idea to make the best of whatever time is left. Trying not to be too pessimistic, but a possible concern at this stage (at least in my mind) is that turnover at the businesses in the building (the others as well as Barb's) deteriorates to such a degree that the business owners become susceptible to a lease buyout offer from the "new" landlord i.e. Claridge. Not too familiar with the ins and outs of commercial leasing here so perhaps this is an unlikely outcome, but if Claridge wants to "clear the building" I wonder if it is a possibility.

An interesting observation, pagypie. I have to say that even when I've found Barb's to be most quiet in the past (usually on a Monday or Saturday afternoon), I don't think I can recall an occasion when there was only a single dancer. My last (June) visit was on a Saturday afternoon and while it was fairly subdued, I think I noticed at least four ladies in the very short time I was there. Perhaps I'm guilty of reading some recent posts as indicating a chicken-little/sky-is-falling type of situation and I sincerely hope that there are a couple more years on the lease and Barb's is around for a while longer. Guess I just get a bit antsy about the future of 340 what with the discussion of the LRT construction, the development deal for the site and the seemingly serious (50%) drop off in turnover in recent weeks. Will try to remain optimistic for continued Jenny sightings. I do fear, however, that whatever the causes may be, an extended slowdown could have the effect of hastening the (apparently) inevitable.

It's kind of sad to read these reports. The last time I was in (it was a Saturday) things were a bit quiet but nothing like the way it has been described in the previous few posts. This has me wondering if the lease is about to run out and the end may be imminent. I was hoping (perhaps optimistically and foolishly) for Barb's to be around for the remainder of 2016. Or maybe things are just really, really slow (but the comment about Jenny and only one other lady is more than a bit disconcerting). Really would be interested to know what the immediate future holds, if there is anyone with knowledge of lease status, management/owners plans etc. Suppose one should try to drop in soon, in case it will shortly be too late. Pains me to think this. Certainly would like to attend at or near the end and would make a special effort to be there to see Jenny's last turn on stage.

Thanks for the intel, tpl.

Really wondering what this is about as well. Any staff/insiders or anyone with knowledge about this?

As reported in the Ottawa Citizen and confirmed by recent visitors, business is down about 50% at Barb's in Ottawa recently, largely as a result of the LRT construction creating difficult access due to the disruption of Queen St. traffic. Hope that all Ottawa 'devotees' will make an effort to support our friends at Barb's. On a recent (6/11), short Saturday afternoon visit, things seemed very slow and this is a pity, I think. Perhaps the situation is better in the evenings.