In the glare of reality: New York night clubs pictured when the the lights go up lose their glamor to an altogether grubbier scene

A new series of stark and poignant photographs taken inside a pair of New York City strip clubs show a different, bleaker side of Big Apple's pleasure houses with the lights shining on. 
Photographer Christopher Sturman was given access to a pair of clubs, the now-defunct Privilege and Rick's Cabaret, where he took pictures of the grubby interiors illuminated by lights.
Night clubs, catering halls and theaters all look somehow sadder and grungier by day, but it is especially true for bawdy establishments that thrive on men's sensual fantasies and women’s broken dreams. 

Unflinching look: Photographer Christopher Sturman was given access to a pair of clubs, the now-defunct Privilege and Rick's Cabaret

50 shads of pink: Bawdy establishments that are thrive on men's sensual fantasies appear much sadder and grittier under the glare of lights

Depressing atmosphere: The hazy, yellow- and pink-lit photos show lonely rooms that exude sadness and hopelessness

Bacchanal: Sturman spotted this old framed article showing the dilapidated strip club in its heyday

At night, with the lights turned down low except for a spotlight illuminating the half-naked exotic dancers cavorting on stage for dollar bills, male patrons believe that all their carnal dreams can come true.
But Sturman’s unforgiving photographs show that when lights are on, yesterday's enticing pleasure palace filled with beautiful female forms and rivers of champagne is actually a dingy room with besmirched carpets and beat-up, saggy furniture in need of reupholstering.

Haze: Struman's images of empty strip joints are filled with an aurora of loneliness and sadness

Forlorn: The brass pole looks forgotten without half-naked women writhing around it for the audience's pleasure

Sturman's lense does not pull any punches, staring head on at the grit and getting into every peeling nook and cranny to reveal the sad and filthy essence of gentlemen’s clubs.
The images depict empty, stiletto-scratched stages with the ubiquitous brass pole in the middle - but this time without a topless woman writhing around it for the audience’s pleasure.

What a difference: Sturman’s unforgiving photographs show that when lights are on, yesterday's enticing pleasure palace is actually nothing more than a dingy room

Wear and tear: The carpets are threadbare and stained, while the furniture looks hopelessly outdated and sagging

Final fantasy: In Struman's images, the world of male carnal desires had vanished under the glare of lamps

The hazy, yellow- and pink-lit photos show lonely rooms crammed with outdated chairs, small round tables, and soled, worn velveteen seating areas.
In Struman's series, the world of male carnal caprices had dissipated under the harsh glare of lamps that throw a spotlight on all the flaws.