Tampa’s Florida Thunder offers an evening of entertainment straight out of “Magic Mike”

You may have seen him acting in movies like “Dear John,” “The Vow” and “22 Jump Street,” but before Channing Tatum was on screen, he was on stage dancing under his stage name, Chan Crawford, at the Florida Thunder Male Revue Strip Club in Tampa.

Tatum was discovered by a talent agent at one of the club’s shows, said the Florida Thunder team. After scoring roles in movies like “Step Up” and “She’s the Man,” Tatum went on to play the lead role in 2012′s “Magic Mike.” The movie, which was filmed around the St. Petersburg area, was based loosely on Tatum’s experiences working at Florida Thunder.

Making its debut in 1998, Florida Thunder isn’t just the place where Tatum got his start, but a fixture in the Tampa Bay area, known for its Las Vegas-quality male strip show, which incorporates professional, choreographed routines and a variety of realistic costumes.

“We are the longest continuously going male revue show in Tampa,” said the Florida Thunder team. “We’re different in that we’re an actual show, not just a strip place.”

The professionally choreographed and interactive shows at Florida Thunder have been designed with ladies in mind and often involve audience participation. Typical shows run for about two hours and include a variety of routines and dance entertainment to keep attendees engaged.

Scenes from the “Magic Mike” movie closely mirror what someone can expect at a Florida Thunder live show, said the club’s team, with different male dancers having their own skits, acts and costumes while entertaining. Think of policeman uniforms, actual firefighter suits, ivory tuxedos for James Bond and funny things such as a pizza delivery boy “interrupting” the show.

In the group revue, each dancer gets to have his own time in the spotlight, with performers entertaining the crowd for about eight to 12 minutes each, so “it’s not just a solo guy coming out to strip, but it’s an involvement.”

Did we mention that the movie “Magic Mike” was inspired by Florida Thunder? For an experience straight out of the movie, the audience can also get in on the fun with the club’s interactive “Magic Mike” onstage experience, where one attendee (often a bride-to-be or birthday girl) is chosen to join in the performance on center stage.

All types of celebrations can be recognized with an entertaining evening at Florida Thunder, with the business hosting everything from graduation get-togethers to divorce parties. It’s the perfect place to throw your next girls’ night out, bachelorette or birthday party or other friend-filled event where you and your girls get to let your hair down.

Ready to celebrate? You’ll find a memorable evening straight out of “Magic Mike” at Tampa’s Florida Thunder. Shows typically run from 8-10 p.m. To learn more, visit Florida Thunder online. The club posts authentic photos of its venue and models on its website to give attendees an idea of what to expect on their special night out.