Columbus, OH

Continuing my entries on the “wilder” side of Columbus, this is what I know about the Exotic Pearl.

The Exotic Pearl is located on the far east side of Columbus on South Hamilton Rd. This is another of the former Weber clubs, so if you know where the Platinum Fox used to be, then you know exactly where I am talking about.

The name would suggest that you would find ladies of the exotic variety here. For example beautiful Asian girls or exotic African ladies. But nope, the girls here look pretty much the same as the girls at every other gentleman’s club in Columbus. And don’t expect to see too terribly many of them right now. Due to a recent management turnover, there aren’t anywhere near the number of girls working on any given night as a club this size should handle.

As for the interior, this is a well-kept club. The decor is very Vegas like and reminds me a little of Cheetah’s.

The service here really depends on who you get. Management has forced new and seasoned bartenders to utilize a new inventory control system. So expect your drinks to be poured exactly to standard. While it sounds good, it really makes everything take longer and means you won’t be getting particularly stiff drinks unless you request and pay for a double. As a result, if your drink isn’t as strong as you like, please take it out on management as the poor waitstaff is stuck with this system whether they like it or not.

The one shining star here is a tall blond bartender by the name of Marishka. When we were there, Marishka seemed to be answering everyone else’s questions, including a fellow who claimed to be management. Yet she still managed to get drinks out and carry on decent conversation with the customers in her area. If you go to the Exotic Pearl, be sure to ask where Marishka is working and try to sit in her section.

To get to the Exotic Pearl, take I 70 to the Hamilton Rd. exit. Turn south onto Hamilton Rd. The Exotic Pearl is about 1/2 mile up on the left, before the Wild Man’s Leather ‘N Lace Shopping Center.

I have looked and thus far cannot find a website for them.

There is plenty of free parking. Security does walk the lot several times a night, but I would suggest parking under a light, since this is not the safest part of town.