World's Only Drive-Thru Strip Club (Closed)

Congruity, Pennsylvania

The drive-thru window at the Climax Gentleman's Club offers the novelty of a drive-thru tree with the I'll-do-it-in-my-car convenience of a drive-thru McDonald's. A special gravel driveway leads to a cinder block carport at the back of the building, where patrons can watch the indoor activity from their vehicles, though a diamond-shaped window. A "pay here" booth takes credit cards, and displays an autographed photo of Fred "The Honzman" Honsburger, a right-wing radio talk show host on Pittsburgh's KDKA. Current rates are $20 a minute for two or more people; $10 a minute for solo customers. If there's someone in front of you, you just have to wait in your car.

We passed through too early to test out the window (the club was officially closed, though we stepped aside so a customer buying a "private dance" could enter). The club owner, Nick Climax agreed to speak by phone.

"We're the first one in world history," says Climax of his drive-thru. It was built in the spring of 2000, and remains the only one that he knows of. The media pounced on the story at the time, and Nick proudly reels off his list of conquests: Jay Leno, Howard Stern, Penthouse, Esquire. The drive-thru became a question in the 20th anniversary edition of Trivial Pursuit. "More people listened to my radio interview in Australia in 2000 than listened to the Olympics," Nick tells us. " I turned down the cover of Time magazine on October 2, 2000; I didn't want my picture taken."

Thinking about the frustration of a line at the drive-thru, we ask Nick, "Is there a best time to come?" He replies, misinterpreting the question, "Any time we're open is good."