STRIPPERS HOPING TO CASH IN AT SUPER BOWL

The fact that the backdrop of Super Bowl XLIII features a bunch of naked ladies dancing should reinforce Tampa’s well-earned reputation as Florida’s Strip Club Central. According to the normally staid Associated Press, there are 43 strip clubs in the Tampa region with names such as Lip Stixx, Bliss Cabaret, Diamond Dolls, Bare Assets, the Wild Gentlemen’s Club, Mons Venus and 2001 Odyssey. Maxim ranks Tampa on its top 10 list of best U.S. party cities, primarily because of the high amount of places where lap dancing, pole dancing, etc. is celebrated. And the strippers and the clubs are hoping to cash in big-time at the Super Bowl this week. “Based on what we did last Super Bowl [2001], the numbers will quadruple during that weekend,” 2001 Odyssey general manager Nick Polefrone told the AP. According to the article, 2001 Odyssey and Mons Venus, which is ranked among the top strip clubs by a Web site called The Ultimate Strip Club List, are within walking distance from Raymond James Stadium. That’s where the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers will duke it out Sunday for NFL supremacy. Meanwhile, the strip clubs are competing just as hard off the field. “Tampa has a reputation for having the most strip clubs and the most girls who are a lot of fun,” said a 25-year-old stripper named Claudia who normally dances in Las Vegas and requested that the AP not disclose her last name for fear of causing “embarrassment” to her family. “It’s so crazy. Everybody is in such a party mood. It’s a whole new level of everything.” The Tampa Tribune is even listing all 43 strip clubs on its Web site, including cover charge and dress code details. Of course, the local tourism bureau is quick to point out there are other aspects to Tampa such as its beaches, the high-end Ybor City entertainment district and Tampa’s cigar-making tradition. Cue those Seinfeld clips of Kramer and the cigar rollers right about now.