A clip joint or fleshpot is an establishment, usually a strip club or night club (often claiming to offer adult entertainment or bottle service) in which customers are tricked into paying far above market prices for low-grade goods or services—or sometimes, nothing—in return. Typically, clip joints suggest the possibility of sex, charge inflated prices for watered-down alcoholic drinks, and then throw out customers when they become unwilling or unable to spend more money. The products and services offered may be legal, allowing the establishment to maintain the scam with little fear of punishment from law enforcement, since its victims cannot report the venue without admitting that they broke the law. Even in situations where no law was broken, victims may be too embarrassed to seek legal recourse. In the United States, clip joints were widespread during the national Prohibition of alcohol from 1920 to 1933, and the practice later became outlawed. For instance, the New York State Liquor Authority imposes penalties against any licensed premises permitting such conduct. Clip joints still operate openly in some areas of the world, such as Shanghai, Las Vegas, Soho and Kabukichō, where they prey on visiting tourists. Description A typical scenario involves a beautiful woman (typically either a local or claiming to be) who approaches the "mark", typically a young adult male tourist, and recommends a "favorite local" bar or club. Alternatively, a clip joint employee waits near a legitimate club, and invites passing pedestrians into a VIP area of the clip joint. The potential customers are led to believe that the person works for the nearby club, though they may not explicitly say so. The man is usually seated at a table and joined by a "hostess", who may or may not order drinks. Whether or not any "services" are performed or drinks are ordered has little bearing on the outlandish bill received at the end of the night. Bills are commonly hundreds of, if not over a thousand, dollars, listing items like a "hostess fee" or "service charge" that were not originally mentioned to the customer. The arrival of the bill typically corresponds with the arrival of a few large bouncers to ensure payment, sometimes leading the victim to an ATM to retrieve the money. The beautiful woman who originally lured the mark to the location often makes an excuse and leaves prior to the arrival of the bill. If confronted, the