Brothels are business establishments where patrons may engage in sexual activities with prostitutes. Brothels are known under a variety of names, including bordello, cathouse, knocking shop, whorehouse, strumpet house, sporting house, house of ill repute, house of prostitution and bawdy house. In places where prostitution or the operation of brothels is illegal, establishments such as massage parlors, bars or strip clubs may offer sexual services to patrons.

The size and style of brothels vary considerably, as do the range of sexual services available.

Laws regulating brothels vary considerably. These laws vary between countries as well as within countries, and have varied over time. In some jurisdictions, brothels are legal and regulated, while in others they are illegal. However, even in jurisdictions which regulate brothels, there are brothels which operate outside the officially approved system.

Prostitution and the operation of brothels are illegal in many countries, though known illegal brothels may be tolerated. Brothels are illegal in the United States, except in rural Nevada. In many countries where brothels are officially illegal, the laws are ignored; brothels in such countries may be tolerated and regulated by authorities. Such situations exist in many parts of the world, but the region most often associated with these policies is Asia—a notable example being Thailand. Such brothels often operate (thinly) disguised as legitimate business, such as massage parlors, saunas or spas.

Dennis Hof (born October 14, 1946) is an American pimp, entrepreneur, and restaurateur. He is best known as the former, owning two brothels in Nevada. His brothels are in Moundhouse, Nevada, a few minutes outside Carson City, less than an hour by car from Reno, Nevada. He also owns a nightclub restaurant, NV50, across the street from the Moonlite Bunny Ranch.

In Cathouse: The Musical, Hof reveals that he only dates prostitutes. "I don't date civilians (non-working girls)." The documentary series has shown his several relationships with employees, most notably adult film star Sunset Thomas.

Hof started by purchasing and remodeling The Moonlite BunnyRanch, founded in 1955; he also purchased another brothel, formerly Kitty's, and renamed it The BunnyRanch Two. In contrast to other Nevada brothel owners, members of the Nevada Brothel Owners' Association, who prefer to keep a low profile^{[citation needed]}, Hof, despite Nevada laws which ban brothel advertising, maintains a high profile to create publicity for his brothels^{[citation needed]}.

Air Force Amy (born Donice Armstrong) is a legal prostitute in Nevada, pornographic actress, and adult model, considered the top earner of all time in Nevada's legalized brothel business, and known as the star of the HBO television documentary series Cathouse: The Series. MSNBC has called her "a living legend in the world of sex."

Three months prior to being discharged from the United States Air Force in 1990, Air Force Amy applied to the nearby Chicken Ranch brothel in Nevada, and worked continuously as a legal and licensed prostitute in the most notable and famous legal brothels of Nevada until her retirement in 2012. She has worked at the Chicken Ranch, the Mustang Ranch (from 1994 to 1997), the Sagebrush Ranch, the Old Bridge Ranch, the Cherry Patch Ranch, Sheri's Ranch, the Kit Kat Guest Ranch, and the Moonlite Bunny Ranch since 2000. As a legal Nevada prostitute, she worked as an independent contractor who turned in half of her money made at the brothel to the house. She earned US$10,000 to $50,000 a month. Amy often reminisced about her Air Force career, and persuaded her employer to offer a Military Appreciation Night: a special promotion for free sex to soldiers.. In January 2012, Air Force Amy announced her retirement from prostitution via her website.

Susanne Aartun Sundfør (born 19 March 1986, Haugesund, Norway) is a Norwegian singer-songwriter. She is the granddaughter of language researcher Kjell Aartun. She currently resides in Oslo.

During summer 2005, she supported Tom McRae. In 2006, she rose to national fame performing under the by:Larm branch festival in Tromsø, followed by high acclaim and enthusiastic critiques in Norwegian media. She appeared with Madrugada during their spring 2006 tour as a stand-in for Ane Brun. In November 2006, she performed on the God Morgen Norge! Show on National TV 2. She has also supported Marit Larsen and Minor Majority. Susanne Sundfør has also studied English and Art at the University of Bergen.

During winter 2006-2007, Sundfør's single "Walls" topped every Norwegian radio and iTunes lists. Being the most anticipated and, eventually, the most acclaimed performance during by:Larm 2007, Susanne established herself in national media, now backed by a full band (guitar, bass, drums). Her iTunes-exclusive debut single Walls was released on 29 November 2006. Eventually it was also released in CD format. Her first album was released on her birthday 19 March 2007. She is associated with record producer and musician Geir Luedy and Your Favourite Music.