…because these days, there is no champagne room. Strip clubs are going lowbrow, as they can’t sell the high-dollar entertainment. According to the Wall Street Journal, the recession is starting to hit folks where it hurts, in their pants (because that’s where their wallet is. What did you think I was talking about?):

For an industry often thought to be recession proof, the transition has been sobering. In order to adapt, many so-called gentlemen’s clubs are shedding their upscale trappings and catering to a thriftier clientele by offering less expensive drinks, waiving cover charges and refocusing their marketing. Since April, Rick’s has slashed spending on billboard marketing by two-thirds, and its payroll is down 4.2% this year.

At certain of their high-end clubs, Rick’s and VCG are considering closing the kitchens and scrapping other upscale offerings to go after a broader, more blue-collar market. In January, Rick’s converted its high-end club in Dallas to an all-nude, bring-your-own-beer venue under its XTC Cabaret banner, partly because of difficulties getting a liquor license. VCG may pare amenities at clubs in Denver, Minneapolis, Portland, Ore., and St. Louis.

At one club in Dallas, even the tried-and-true, believed-never-to-fail trick of marketing a “stimulus package” offering didn’t revive their limp revenue stream. As a bright spot, insiders say at least the girls are getting better looking. That’s to be expected when you have 9.x% unemployment – even at the lower end clubs, your hiring pool now likely includes more than the GED set. As pretty young things get laid off from real estate, law and banking, some are taking the stage to pay the bills – so ain’t it a shame nobody can afford to go see them?

Looking at Rick’s Cabaret (RICK)’s stock chart, you can see the industry might be stabilizing, but it’s gonna be bring-your-own beer for a while.