Table dance

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Bartop dancing is encouraged at New York City's Hogs and Heifers, evidenced by the ever-expanding ceiling of brassieres hung by patrons.

Table dance, or bartop dancing, is typically an erotic dance performed at (or on) a patron's table, as opposed to on a stage. In some jurisdictions, a table dance may be an alternative to a lap dance, due to laws preventing exotic dancers from making contact with customers. For example, in Waterloo, Ontario, a table dance is performed on a small portable platform the dancer takes to patrons' tables.^[1]

Similar is the bartop dance, performed for the entertainment of those seated at the bar. The movie Coyote Ugly ushered in a fad of bartop dancing establishments. Set in New York City's bar of the same name, several establishments around the city (Coyote Ugly, Hogs and Heifers, Red Rock West Saloon, Doc Holliday's Saloon, to name four) actively encouraged inebriated females to jump on the bar and dance, contributing to an "Anything Goes" atmosphere. Hogs and Heifers encourages dancers to leave their brassiere hanging from the ceiling to commemorate their dance. Because it is often practiced by inebriated bar patrons, accidents are common, tables are sometimes destroyed, or a person can have their drink kicked off the bar. It is forbidden at many events and establishments.

Table dancing by patrons (both male and female) became more common in New York after enforcement of the city's cabaret licenses (which was required for dancing establishments) was relaxed around the time of the 2001 election of Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The Hilton sisters were reputed to be constant table dancers, but Nicky Hilton explained that they only dance on the banquettes. At another restaurant, Kim Cattrall, Candace Bushnell and Patricia Duff were seen table dancing together. Explanations ranged from fun to being seen.^[2]

Another form of table dance is practiced at traditional events like in Brazilian, European and Australian Carnivals or in German beer tents during Oktoberfest and other similar events. However this kind of table dance is not of an erotic nature. As this dance often leeds to accidents, especially if practised by drunken people or when tables collapse, it is on many events forbidden. However dancing on the chairs or benches may be still allowed. On some events people are faster ejected when they do tabledance as when they do a fight.

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