We\u2019re adding another entry to the growing list of places Lubbock left behind\u2014and this one might raise a few eyebrows, so stick with me.<\/p>\n
So far, \u201cPlaces We Miss\u201d has included staples like Chinese Kitchen and The Buffalo Beano Company. Now comes the question: does Player\u2019s Club belong in that same conversation?<\/p>\n
For those who weren\u2019t around, Player\u2019s was a topless bar\u2014there\u2019s no dancing around that. But it was also something more than what you might assume. Love it or hate it, Player\u2019s was undeniably iconic in its time.<\/p>\n
Why Player\u2019s Was Bigger Than Its Reputation<\/p>\n
Part of that legacy starts with the building itself at 3511 Avenue Q. Just driving past it felt like a quiet nod to rebellion. It stood right in the heart of one of the most conservative cities in the country, which only added to its mystique. It wasn\u2019t just a business\u2014it was a statement.<\/p>\n
And while most people associate Player\u2019s with \u201cgentlemen\u2019s entertainment,\u201d locals knew it also had one of the best kitchens and buffets in town. You could legitimately go there for lunch and walk away impressed\u2014good food, fast service, and, yes, a little extra scenery.<\/p>\n
Player’s Was Upscale, Unexpected, and Unapologetic<\/p>\n
Player\u2019s also ran as an upscale operation. This wasn\u2019t a roll-in-straight-from-the-jobsite kind of place. There was a dress code, and if you didn\u2019t look the part\u2014especially on a busy night\u2014you might not get in. That added a layer of exclusivity that set it apart from anything else in town.<\/p>\n
Over the years, it became a go-to stop for touring rock bands, especially back in the \u201980s when that scene and that lifestyle went hand in hand. Let\u2019s also say the club was always packed with in-town and out-of-town businessmen. We even hosted a few Super Bowl parties there, and it wasn\u2019t unusual to see some big names walk through those doors when they hit Lubbock.<\/p>\n