Aria limits free booze to bottom shelf
Was playing briefly at the Mirage bar by the lobby before a show recently. Friend ordered a drink and played for about 5 mins. Went to cashout and the bartender said he was going to charge her $11 for the drink if she didn't play longer.
Most of us "non-high limit" schmucks won't even mind, ha. Though recently I've been really enjoying top shelf stuff!
It's the business model of the 2000's... EVERY YEAR WE HAVE TO MAKE MORE. Companies have no clue that there's a market cap on EVERYTHING. There's only so many people in the world, so many people that you can 'convert' to having interest in your product, and only so much money that can possibly even have/make in order to use on your product.
Yet every year stockholders/execs get together and execs get fired if they didn't make more than the year prior. That leads to execs making STUPID decisions, such as cutting wages, firing employees, and in the casino world slashing comps, etc, etc... which in turn drives both their good employees AND customers AWAY, thus lowering their take for the next year and them getting fired only to have the cycle start all over with the new exec that wants to find ways to cut costs to keep his job.
Companies today (stockholders/execs/etc) are majorly just completely incompetent on how to actually run a company.
Quote: aceofspadeswow
http://www.vegastripping.com/news/blog/5735/pgp-aria-limits-comp-booze-offerings-to-well-brands/
Most people have mixed drinks and
can't tell the difference anyway. The
difference between Makers Mark and
Jim Beam is minimal. And who drinks
vodka straight up. It all tastes the same
when drowned in orange juice, Coke,
or cranberry juice. Smirnoff is a good
vodka, it won't matter.
Smirnoff and Beam aren't exactly well
brands either, those are usually call
brands. A typical well brand is usually
something you've never heard of.
Next they came for the bottom shelf, I didn't speak since I don't drink alcohol.
Next they came for the beer, I didn't speak since I don't drink beer.
Next they came for the COKE/PEPSI brands, but nobody spoke for me since there was nobody left!
But seriously, I better get coke or pepsi when I ask for one none of this Safeway Select shit.
SOURCE
Quote: RomesI'm sure "exceptions" are made for those in the high limit room, where you like to be =P.
The last time I was there, the bartenders/cocktail waitresses informed me that I could only get a drink while playing at a table. I used to wait and get a drink after I was done playing - unfortunately, the eye in the sky now watches and bartenders cannot give a player a drink before or after they play without being charged full price or with a comp called in from a host
Quote: MathExtremistBut if you're drinking Scotch, it really, really does matter.
I didn't mention Scotch because it's the
least ordered liquor in a bar. The three
heavy weights are vodka, bourbon, and
gin. Vodka is the leader because it mixes
with everything. I used to drink scotch,
Amaretto, and milk in a bucket glass.
A couple of those and you're on your way.
Quote: EvenBobI didn't mention Scotch because it's the
least ordered liquor in a bar. The three
heavy weights are vodka, bourbon, and
gin. Vodka is the leader because it mixes
with everything. I used to drink scotch,
Amaretto, and milk in a bucket glass.
A couple of those and you're on your way.
Gin is a Big 3 — I thought tequila before gin?
Quote: aceofspadesGin is a Big 3 — I thought tequila before gin?
I would have thought rum.
Quote: DRichI would have thought rum.
Ahhh yes good call
Quote: aceofspadesAhhh yes good call
Rum, tequila, they're in the well too. At the
end of the night you'll have twice as many
empty vodka bottles as any other variety.
What's in a White Russian, a Cosmpolitan,
a screwdriver, a dirty martini. Vodka.
That's because Scotch is one of the most expensive liquors. Nobody drinks Scotch to get drunk, except perhaps in the UK where it's not imported. Vodka mixes with everything, bourbon is strong and cheap (at least in the US), and gin is traditional. I don't drink much gin but I will have a Negroni on occasion. I prefer Boulevardiers if I'm going that direction.Quote: EvenBobI didn't mention Scotch because it's the
least ordered liquor in a bar. The three
heavy weights are vodka, bourbon, and
gin. Vodka is the leader because it mixes
with everything. I used to drink scotch,
Amaretto, and milk in a bucket glass.
A couple of those and you're on your way.
I've never had the Godson cocktail, and probably won't because I don't like creamy drinks. Too much "ughh, I shouldn't have had that" afterwards. Maybe I'll try a Godfather sometime, though. I think I have a small bottle of Disaronno somewhere.
The clientele is mainly middle class and unable to support an upscale casino in the sea of mediocrity.
Quote: djatcThis is only the beginning. First they came for the top shelf, I didn't speak since I don't drink top shelf.
Next they came for the bottom shelf, I didn't speak since I don't drink alcohol.
Next they came for the beer, I didn't speak since I don't drink beer.
Next they came for the COKE/PEPSI brands, but nobody spoke for me since there was nobody left!
But seriously, I better get coke or pepsi when I ask for one none of this Safeway Select shit.
SOURCE
That was pretty funny. I would be annoyed if I saw RC cola as their option. Not sure if that is a nationwide company but the arena the Penguins play in only serves RC cola. Not only do I have to pay $8 for a drink, it's not even name brand.
Quote: GWAE
That was pretty funny. I would be annoyed if I saw RC cola as their option. Not sure if that is a nationwide company but the arena the Penguins play in only serves RC cola. Not only do I have to pay $8 for a drink, it's not even name brand.
I believe RC is national but not very popular. I know a few taverns in Las Vegas that have RC instead of Coke and Pepsi.
CZR has it right at some of their casinos offering total touch. You get drinks of better quality based on your tier level. Seems the right mix of rewarding Players you want to keep drinking.
Quote: Mission146What's wrong with RC?
Nothing if you like flat pop
Quote: GWAENothing if you like flat pop
It's not flat to me.
I drink too much sodas.
Quote: jjjooogggI read some on rc. I was expecting it to be from Canada because it stands for royal crown. Apparently, It is based in the USA since 1905.
I drink too much sodas.
Yeah, if they carbonate it enough it's pretty good. It was a special treat when I was little, and it's still reasonably popular in the Midwest in my experience. They actually made the best-tasting diet drink (called Diet-Rite) I ever had, but I think at that time it used saccharin, and when they changed the sweetener it went to hell, just like the others.
Quote: beachbumbabsThey actually made the best-tasting diet drink (called Diet-Rite)
Every Friday night in 1965-66, we had Mexican
TV dinners, a loaf of French bread, and a 6 pack
of Diet Rite. We loved Friday nights. In the 50's
and 60's, certain nights meant certain foods. It
gave us something to look forward to. Don't
knock family tradition.
Quote: Mission146I think it mixes well, don't drink it by itself very often.
Don't drink RC Cola without a Moon Pie
Quote: EvenBobEvery Friday night in 1965-66, we had Mexican
TV dinners, a loaf of French bread, and a 6 pack
of Diet Rite. We loved Friday nights. In the 50's
and 60's, certain nights meant certain foods. It
gave us something to look forward to. Don't
knock family tradition.
I only got to have Diet-Rite when I babysat for friends (weekly). My folks didn't keep soda in the house until my late teens, at least not for us to drink (bar mixers). Might be why I didn't have a cavity until I was 15. lol...yeah, I miss those family traditions.
Other liquors may not matter so much
Sitting around Aria and drinking Jameson was a true pleasure, now it's gone. I hope when we have an economic downturn, MGM pays for its war on gamblers. They can get away with this for some time, but I bet it'll come back to bite them eventually. Why not restrict it to higher cad tiers like CET? If I had a couple hundred on the table and your cocktail waitress refused to bring me Goose, that's going to piss me off.
Quote: ahiromuI'm surprised they don't get rid of bottled beer too, that's gotta be a killer.
Sitting around Aria and drinking Jameson was a true pleasure, now it's gone. I hope when we have an economic downturn, MGM pays for its war on gamblers. They can get away with this for some time, but I bet it'll come back to bite them eventually. Why not restrict it to higher cad tiers like CET? If I had a couple hundred on the table and your cocktail waitress refused to bring me Goose, that's going to piss me off.
I am not at the tables much, but I have never seen a waitress ask for cards at CET tables. Also money on the table and card status don't have a high collation for many reward programs. Now think of the logistics, where the waitress has to scan the table to figure out the exact amount of money you are betting to determine what level of comp booze you are allowed, plus the whole issue of discrimination will have a greater chance of rearing its ugly head. The safest and easiest way to implement this change, is to base the comp booze level on the table minimum.
That reminds me an awful lot about one of Missions articles on how the VP machines will determine when you can have a drink. After so long they'll spit you out a drink ticket. I think that model sounds more efficient, but in the end is just another penny pinching ploy to try to shave as much cost as possible to yet again try to up profits... and in the end it will just deter more and more customers from even coming, costing profits and more exec jobs to start the cycle all over again.Quote: DRichThis will not be popular but I think they will eventually require a player card for free drinks and that they will be debited from your account in some manner. If a persons "drink account" goes negative they will then charge you. The "drink account" balance will increase as you gamble.
My goodness people are stupid. I don't understand how the people that run these companies function and make it through the day.
Quote: ahiromuI'm surprised they don't get rid of bottled beer too, that's gotta be a killer.
Bottled beer? You sure?
In the UK you can buy 12 corona from a supermarket for £12
The casinos must be able to get them for $1 or less, if they just paid the waitress a real wage and kept the $1 tip they would be just fine. They seem to think that punishing the players is the correct strategy, yet the waitresses at Aria must be walking out the door with $150,000 a year each!
10 drinks on a tray, 8 trays an hour, 8 hour shift, 5 days a week, 48 weeks of the year = $153,600 and there must be days where they exceed this. The poker room waitresses do not stop. That doesnt even allow for food tips, or people who tip more than $1.
I think this has been asked before, but aren't comped drinks for gamblers +EV for the house? Doesn't the extra revenue from buzzed (or worse) patrons offset the cost of the liquor?Quote: RomesMy goodness people are stupid. I don't understand how the people that run these companies function and make it through the day.
Quote: JoemanI think this has been asked before, but aren't comped drinks for gamblers +EV for the house? Doesn't the extra revenue from buzzed (or worse) patrons offset the cost of the liquor?
Sad to say, I've made my worst gambling decisions (and the best for the house, naturally) when I forgot to control how much I drank. I do much better now, but a lot of people never get that lesson. I would say providing drinks--even once a bit more expensive than the well brands--is a huge positive for the house.
Bean counters? They just count beans.
That would certainly loosen them up and cause them to throw caution to the winds while gambling.
I initially thought it would never happen due to potential liability concerns, but it hasn't stopped them from doling out liquor.
Quote: JoemanI think this has been asked before, but aren't comped drinks for gamblers +EV for the house? Doesn't the extra revenue from buzzed (or worse) patrons offset the cost of the liquor?
Yeah, but drinks patrons pay for are even more +EV for the house. The issue is you have a lot of people in Vegas casinos that don't have a problem paying $20 for 2 well drinks. Going out of your way to comp that person is not in the casinos best interest.
The thing that worries me is if casinos start following Steve Wynn's route of not comping drinks at the bar for video poker play. So far that doesn't seem to have happened, but this ticket experiment at the Mirage has me worried.
I agree that this is the case for many folks. The thing is, I see people who normally don't drink much, but because "it's free," they'll have a few at the casino. I also think that some of those who might pay $20 for 2 drinks might have 4 instead, if they were free.Quote: sabreYeah, but drinks patrons pay for are even more +EV for the house. The issue is you have a lot of people in Vegas casinos that don't have a problem paying $20 for 2 well drinks. Going out of your way to comp that person is not in the casinos best interest
For me personally, it's kind of the same. In the mid-west casinos, I'm happy to get my own free sodas and not drink. But in Vegas or MS, if you'll bring me a free CC & Diet Coke, I'm happy to drink it!
Quote: MrVHere's a thought: would it be legal to allow casinos to have an an in-house doctor whose duties include prescribing / supplying pain killers such as oxy or percocet to players?
That would certainly loosen them up and cause them to throw caution to the winds while gambling.
I initially thought it would never happen due to potential liability concerns, but it hasn't stopped them from doling out liquor.
MODS - I accidentally flagged this instead of trying to quote it originally - please disregard the flag
Caesars Palace did this to Mr. Watanabe - and he sued
http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB125996714714577317
Quote: aceofspadesCaesars Palace did this to Mr. Watanabe - and he sued
That case was resolved by confidential settlement, so there's no precedent to look at.
Given the way society is loosening restrictions on drugs, e.g. MMJ / recreational marijuana, I can foresee a scenario where the great state of Nevada might pass a statute or regulation which allows casinos to either allow on site doctors or LPNs to prescribe and dispense, or dispense if the patron has a valid prescription.
A long shot, certainly, but then again who would have dreamed states would allow and tax marijuana sales?
The law must evolve as society evolves, and there are millions of folks taking pain meds, so the demand is there.
For many it is a better buzz than booze, in addition to its medicinal benefits.
Having them available at a casino would be mutually beneficial.
But no, I don't see it happening anytime soon.
Quote: MrVThat case was resolved by confidential settlement, so there's no precedent to look at.
Given the way society is loosening restrictions on drugs, e.g. MMJ / recreational marijuana, I can foresee a scenario where the great state of Nevada might pass a statute or regulation which allows casinos to either allow on site doctors of LPNs to prescribe and dispense, or dispense if the patron has a valid prescription.
A long shot, certainly, but then again who would have dreamed states would allow and tax marijuana sales?
The law must evolve as society evolves, and there are millions of folks taking pain meds, so the demand is there.
For many it is a better buzz than booze, in addition to its medicinal benefits.
Having them available at a casino would be mutually beneficial.
But no, I don't see it happening anytime soon.
I can't see it happening. The liability would be horrendous. The majority of pain meds interact badly with the (free) alcohol also dispensed by the casino. The mix will turn into piles of dead patrons in the bathrooms.
On the other hand, there sure are a lot of Walgreen's and CVS's popping up on the Strip. It would be very easy for these storefronts to open 24 hr. "urgent care clinics". Many of them already dispense flu shots.
Quote: KentryI went to a bar in a Casino and they told me that Coke and Rum is $8. Are they kidding me? I can buy a small bottle of rum at a liquor store for about $2.68 and a 20 ounce of Coke at a gas station for $1.06, for less than half of what the Casino bar charges.
I smell a side business :)
I just had a Blood & Sand for the first time this weekend in NYC. Very good. It's hard to find Cherry Heering, let alone blood orange juice.Quote: MathExtremistBut if you're drinking Scotch, it really, really does matter. I think I've had Macallan 12 at Aria before (comped while playing $25 craps). What's their "well" Scotch now? And Scotch isn't a typical base liquor for mixing because "peaty" doesn't go well with a lot of things the way "sweet" or "spicy" do. Blood and Sand, anyone?
I also had a cocktail made with Famous Grouse Black (a "peaty" Scotch) that was possibly the best cocktail I have ever had. So you can mix a great cocktail with Islay-type Scotch. (I wouldn't try to mix it myself, though).
What was the cocktail made with Black Grouse? That's a solid bottle if you're into peat and probably a better value than Johnnie Black. I've heard Black Bottle is another good blend in that price range but I can't get it where I live. And if you're looking for a non-peaty value blend, try Monkey Shoulder.Quote: teddysI just had a Blood & Sand for the first time this weekend in NYC. Very good. It's hard to find Cherry Heering, let alone blood orange juice.
I also had a cocktail made with Famous Grouse Black (a "peaty" Scotch) that was possibly the best cocktail I have ever had. So you can mix a great cocktail with Islay-type Scotch. (I wouldn't try to mix it myself, though).
That might be true, but if you're at a casino bar, how long does it take you to get to a liquor store and then a gas station and back to the casino bar? If your time isn't worth the $4.26 you'd save, you're probably better off not going to casinos at all.Quote: KentryI went to a bar in a Casino and they told me that Coke and Rum is $8. Are they kidding me? I can buy a small bottle of rum at a liquor store for about $2.68 and a 20 ounce of Coke at a gas station for $1.06, for less than half of what the Casino bar charges.
FWIW, the cocktails at the Bourbon Room (Venetian) and Vista (Caesars) are $18.
"Catholic Guilt": Black Grouse Blended Whisky, Ginger, Lemon, Fig and Orange Bitters, Fernet Branca Float. $14, The Highlands, NYC. Good luck trying to make that one.Quote: MathExtremistWhat was the cocktail made with Black Grouse?
The whole high-end craft cocktail thing I thought was coastal and pretentious, but it is rather fun.
Whisky and ginger ale is good though. I do have some orange bitters so I might try that next time I'm not drinking it straight. If you want pretentious and fun, go to the secret bar in downtown Las Vegas and have a smoked Old Fashioned. They make the drink, stick it under a glass dome, pump in some smoke from freshly burning wood (your choice, naturally) and then after a few minutes the dome is completely full of smoke.
