Role reversal as men get their kit off for charity at strip bar

IT'S a dramatic role reversal for regulars at a city centre strip bar.

Male staff and customers are used to watching women performing at the Western Bar in West Port.

But now they have been persuaded to take to the stage and do the "full monty" themselves to raise money for the Royal Hospital for Sick Children.

Around 12 men, including doorkeepers, bar staff and customers, have been learning routines from the female lap dancers. They will be dressing up in costumes, including a French maid and a fireman, for the special show tomorrow night.

Manager Diana Currie said they hoped to encourage women to come along and help raise around £3000 for the charity.

As well as charging £2 on the door and holding a raffle, the bar staff have also offered to donate their wages for the night.

Ms Currie said: "Instead of the girls going up, the regulars will be going up and doing it for charity. They've been very enthusiastic about taking part, although I think they have been getting a little bit nervous near the time.

"They have been putting a lot of effort into practice and watching the girls do it.

"People tend to look down on strip bars and think they're a bit sleazy, but I hope this will make them see us in a different light. We always do something each year to raise money for the Sick Kids. All the other shops and businesses in West Port have been very supportive of us. There's a really good community atmosphere here."

Ruari Campbell, 36, one of the door supervisors, has agreed to take part dressed as a French maid.

He said: "To be honest I'm getting a bit scared now. It's certainly not something I've ever done before. It sounded like a great idea when it was other guys doing it, but then I got talked into it as well.

"The girls have been great and have been taking us up on stage and teaching us how to lap dance. We'll be doing the full monty.

"I think everyone will be doing their own individual style. We've got one guy dressed up as a fireman, and another will be doing the Time Warp from the Rocky Horror Show."

Many of the female performers will still be wearing their costumes, and will be selling kisses on the night to raise money. There will also be a raffle and many of the shops on West Port have donated prizes.

Ms Currie said: "All the staff have been very generous in donating their time. It should be a really fun night, and we hope lots of men and women will come along and help raise money for a good cause."

The event takes place from 7pm onwards.