Vegas Nightclubs 101
Quote: 7outlineawaySomeone posted this tab to another message board. This has to be in Turkish lira or something.
When you start ordering $25,000 bottles of champagne the tab can be a bit expensive lol. I saw a high roller tab from Haze once that was a quarter of a million. A lot of times it's a whale and the casino is comping it.
When Blush opened up Antonio Esfandiari got in a war with Kobe Bryant over who could order more champagne. Antonio ordered the most bottles but only because Blush ran out. They both spent well into five figures. Kobe proved he was the bigger baller when he left shortly after without even drinking the champagne, just gave it away.
http://www.tmz.com/2007/09/06/poker-champs-rep-we-outballed-kobe/2
The ultimate display of conspicuous consumption -- to not even drink the product, just buy it so people can see you buying it. A Nebuchadnezzar of Veuve Cliquot on your table probably doesn't go unnoticed, even though you can get on retail for $4000. The Bud Light tab provides a good benchmark for their markups: $10 for a bottle than costs maybe $.75 retail, even less to the casino.Quote: JimMorrisonWhen Blush opened up Antonio Esfandiari got in a war with Kobe Bryant over who could order more champagne. Antonio ordered the most bottles but only because Blush ran out. They both spent well into five figures. Kobe proved he was the bigger baller when he left shortly after without even drinking the champagne, just gave it away.
Quote: teddysThe ultimate display of conspicuous consumption -- to not even drink the product, just buy it so people can see you buying it.
No, the ultimate display is to buy something very expensive you're not going to use, let a lot of people see you buying it, and then ruin it in some way. In this case the morons would buy bottle after bottle of expensive champagne and pour it down the drain, for instance.
I was thinking the same thing.Quote: 7outlineawaySomeone posted this tab to another message board. This has to be in Turkish lira or something.
Except $8 for Fiji water. and $10 for Heinekin and Bud Light seems about right - perhaps even cheap for an overpriced bar...
$9 for Red Bull.
But what's a Red Bull "SPLT" ? It's $50!
Why would anyone 1) pay that much money, 2) subject themselves to demeaning treatment just to be allowed in, only to spend the night or some time at a place that's the epitome of boredom?
Naturally I've never been to a Vegas club. But there are similar places all over. In the 80s they were called discos, bars, video bars, etc. but essentially they were the same thing: a palce for loud noise, "dancing," over-priced drinks and begging to be allowed in (the last didn't apply everywhere, btu it was common). And once inside I found myself bored out of my skull.
I know I'm eccentric, to put it mildly, and many things I regard as entertaining are seen differently by others. Therefore I'm willing to accept some people may find noise louder than a jet engine, dim spaces, price gouging, lack of meaningful communication, extensive begging and what passes for dancing as "fun." The question is: For the love of God, why?
Quote: NareedThe question is: For the love of God, why?
It's really simple actually, the cost/benefit to that individual makes going repeatedly to these clubs worth it.
Some people spend ten's of thousands of dollars on a fishing boat and spend endless days on the water trying to catch some fish. Other people spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a car where, while it's a great car, for the most part it's a status symbol. Other people choose to spend a few hundred to well into six figures, as shown above, to party for one night and feel special and impress all those around them.
Neither is right, neither is wrong, different strokes for different folks. Whether you understand the reasoning or not does not matter, it's as simple as the amount of entertainment and pleasure they derive from that night equals or exceeds the amount of money spent on said night. Enough said.
Quote: cellardoor
Some people spend ten's of thousands of dollars on a fishing boat and spend endless days on the water trying to catch some fish.
Some people spend tens of thousands of dollars on a fishing boat and spend more money winterizing and dewinterizing and repairing and insuring it, and use it once every two years. It makes their wife feel not one iota of guilt going to Vegas once or twice a year, because she wastes far less money. :D
Quote: cellardoorSome people spend ten's of thousands of dollars on a fishing boat and spend endless days on the water trying to catch some fish.
That I understand. I don't care for it myself, but I can see the appeal.
Quote:Other people spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a car where, while it's a great car, for the most part it's a status symbol. Other people choose to spend a few hundred to well into six figures, as shown above, to party for one night and feel special and impress all those around them.
I don't understand that. I'd be far more impressed, in most case, by knowing how this person made the money to have such things.
But you miss my point: how can an activity that's so inherently boring be considered fun? I mean, the mere fact that a huge portion, if not a vast majority, of those attending a night club need to get buzzed, drunk or high tells you something, doesn't it?
Quote: Nareed
But you miss my point: how can an activity that's so inherently boring be considered fun? I mean, the mere fact that a huge portion, if not a vast majority, of those attending a night club need to get buzzed, drunk or high tells you something, doesn't it?
I really don't think I missed your point in the least. To the clubbers, what they are doing is fun. The ear splitting music, drinking, getting high, and hooking up with strangers, they consider that fun and not boring. A particular person may not like a few aspects of the club scene but the overall experience gives them pleasure and entertainment.
Did you know that there are national championships for the game Scrabble? I personally can not see how such a "inherently boring" game can be "considered fun" but I don't go around knocking those that participate in the activity because I know everyone has different ideas of fun, and who am I do say that one is better than the other.
How many times does this need to be explained to you? While you may not see the appeal that these clubs have, they are not marketed towards you, and there are plenty of those who do see the appeal. Let it be.
Quote: cellardoorTo the clubbers, what they are doing is fun. The ear splitting music, drinking, getting high, and hooking up with strangers, they consider that fun and not boring.
Let's try an example.
I don't like to play BJ I think it's too complicated and, in the end, you're just following a BS card. But I can see how it would be fun, because other games I do like are similar. So if someone likes BJ, I can see why. Likewise other games I do not enjoy, even slots which consist of nothing more than pushing a button over and over. I can understand the thrill of mkaing a bet, the anticipation in the gradual revelation of results, etc etc.
I could come up with a lot of other examples of things I don't like and other people do. Even showing off a car or some other expensive item is something I get, though I despise people who show off.
When it comes to clubs, I draw a complete blank. I see nothing I could ever remotely find in the least attractive or "fun."
Quote:How many times does this need to be explained to you?
Usually I need one explanation. When I see one I'll notice.
Quote: NareedOk, let's restate the question:
Why would anyone 1) pay that much money, 2) subject themselves to demeaning treatment just to be allowed in, only to spend the night or some time at a place that's the epitome of boredom?
Your question is obviously rhetorical by your usage of the word "boring". to answer the question one must first accept the questioner's axiom's, which they won't.
Secondly, someone dropping 400k probably won't have to do anything demeaning to get in.
So, I suggest you need to restate the question again so it's less loaded.
Quote: thecesspitYour question is obviously rhetorical by your usage of the word "boring".
Not really. I've experienced few things more boring than that.
Quote:Secondly, someone dropping 400k probably won't have to do anything demeaning to get in.
Maybe not. But paying that much money for what you get in return is demeaning in and of itself.
Quote:So, I suggest you need to restate the question again so it's less loaded.
I did. You should have seen what it looked like in my mind.
Quote: NareedNot really. I've experienced few things more boring than that.
No, it is rhetorical, as you've already decided that the activity is boring, and therefore you expect the answerer to accept that axiom. Your question is obviously loaded. We get you don't like clubs. Well done. You also don't like football. And you react to any debate about either subject in the same way. And it's not a way that's actually conducive to any discussion. You've made your mind up about the subject, so why ask anything more about it?
Quote:Maybe not. But paying that much money for what you get in return is demeaning in and of itself.
Maybe, maybe not. If Kobe Bryant enjoyed himself dropping 200k on champagne and would do it again, I'm not sure you can say he was demeaned in anyway. Seeing as the actor in this case is the one who is being demeaned (or not) not the observer.
Quote:I did. You should have seen what it looked like in my mind.
You did a very poor job of it then.
Is it normal that there's a tip AND a service charge of 20%?
It looks like there's $100,000 for the booze, then 20% service, 20% tip plus taxes after both the 20%'s are charged. Is that how it works? I can understand someone paying $600 for table rental and a bottle of JD, and tipping the server. But I'd have though the $600 price tag would include the 'service'....
Quote: progrockerThe tip is just listed twice for some reason. If you add up the booze only then it equals the subtotal.
Ah yes, indeed. Cheers... I thought that was some big old gouge going on there...
Quote: Nareed
Usually I need one explanation. When I see one I'll notice.
It seems like you are waiting for someone to describe some aspect of the club life that you would enjoy, and then have an epiphany and reverse course on your opinion.
That isn't going to happen! You have expressed your disinterest with every part of the experience, we all get that. Stop trolling this board with your personal opinions on the subject, when this thread was started as an informational thread for those curious about the Vegas club scene.
I know you hate it when other members trolled your informational threads in the past, I think Jim deserves the same respect as you want other members to show you when you post about topics with differing viewpoints.
Not supposed to, but here's a way around it even low-rollers can take advantage of: Charge it to your room. Then, any comp money goes towards the full charge.Quote: AyecarumbaWhen the casino is comping the club tab for a whale, do they include a gratuity?
Nareed -
I think you're being obstinate and/or pig headed.
Obviously, those people that are willing to shell out all that money DO enjoy it. And, because of long-established laws of business, i.e. "supply and demand", and "prices reflect what the market will bear", it's an acceptable business model.
I agree that if you don't enjoy it, you'd find it boring. Frankly, I can't understand why people pay those prices either. But they ARE paying.
I'm not sure that that's correct. I've stayed at MGM and Harrahs properties and they've been very clear in explaining that gratuities are NOT comped, even when charged to the room. I don't know about anyone else's experience but I've had to fight about this a couple of times and I finally just gave up and tipped separately out of my pocket.Quote: DJTeddyBearNot supposed to, but here's a way around it even low-rollers can take advantage of: Charge it to your room. Then, any comp money goes towards the full charge.
She's never had a problem doing that at Showboat, Mohegan Sun or Forwoods.
Quote: TheNightflyI don't know about anyone else's experience but I've had to fight about this a couple of times and I finally just gave up and tipped separately out of my pocket.
I don't have any experience with Harrah's or MGM properties but the only place I usually have a decent comp dollar balance (Potawatomi in Milwaukee) I can pay gratuity with my comp dollars. Every time I go there I eat at the sports bar and has never cost me one cent in real money.
Quote: thecesspitAh yes, indeed. Cheers... I thought that was some big old gouge going on there...
Yeah that confused me when I looked at it also.
With the 20% tip the waitress doesn't get all of it. Obviously in this case we're talking a ridiculous amount of money. Regardless of the bill, the 20% goes in part to the porter who clears the table, keeps the ice fresh, mixers filled, etc. Part goes to bartending staff. The bulk of it is chopped up among the waitresses in that section. So your waitress isn't taking the entire thing home. Same thing if you tip at the bar, it goes into the pool and is chopped up with all the bartenders. Kinda sucks when one is better than the rest but I understand the necessity of it.
Quote: TheNightflyI'm not sure that that's correct. I've stayed at MGM and Harrahs properties and they've been very clear in explaining that gratuities are NOT comped, even when charged to the room. I don't know about anyone else's experience but I've had to fight about this a couple of times and I finally just gave up and tipped separately out of my pocket.
High rollers are in a different category altogether. I know a guy who has been given luxury cars just to get him in the door. I would assume if a whale is getting everything comped that would include gratuity.
Quote: cellardoorI know you hate it when other members trolled your informational threads in the past, I think Jim deserves the same respect as you want other members to show you when you post about topics with differing viewpoints.
You'll notice Jim has not complained. And the use of troll in this context is inapropriate. But I'll take it to another thread.
Quote:BIG NIGHT AT TRYST
A 16 percent gratuity rarely raises eyebrows in Las Vegas, the exception being when a high roller is involved.
That was the case, apparently, on May 5 at Tryst nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas when a reveler bought 29 bottles of Champagne, including five bottles at $25,000 each, 16 bottles of Dom Perignon at $850 each, some vodka, 31 bottles of Fiji water, and two Bud Lights at $10 each.
The last charge on the tab was a regular can of Red Bull at $9.
The bill came to $189,375.98. The tip: $29,581.20.
After an image of the receipt showed up on the Internet, comments on the website suggested it was photoshopped.
A Wynn insider said it's not the first colossal receipt at Tryst, and a free-spending Brit a year ago added a $30,000 tip, on top of the automatic 20 percent gratuity, for a total tab of $182,000 at Haze nightclub at Aria in CityCenter.
A big spender named Don Johnson, not the actor, has reportedly spent almost $2 million locally on megachampagne parties.
Casinos sometimes hesitate to comp tips or excessive tips but its not surprising that the Evil Empire's policy is the least generous one.
Quote: JimMorrison
With the 20% tip the waitress doesn't get all of it. Obviously in this case we're talking a ridiculous amount of money. Regardless of the bill, the 20% goes in part to the porter who clears the table, keeps the ice fresh, mixers filled, etc. Part goes to bartending staff. The bulk of it is chopped up among the waitresses in that section. So your waitress isn't taking the entire thing home. Same thing if you tip at the bar, it goes into the pool and is chopped up with all the bartenders. Kinda sucks when one is better than the rest but I understand the necessity of it.
It makes it fair in that when there is a huge tip the waitress who is sleeping with the FOH manager doesn't always get these customers. Though I think my "internal tip tax" idea for dealers coluld apply to waitresses. Keep 50%, other 50% goes into the tip-pool and is chopped among the entire staff. Bartenders, OTOH, are more like a "craps crew" with a few working the entire bar. They do need to be tipped as a team.
That is how it would work if I ran the world. I would set it up like that right after I eliminated 6:5 BJ and forced the guy who thought of it to find a craps table where he could bet on a hard 5 (after I took away his shoes!)
Quote: FleaStiffAt Rehab the waitress had to pay a minimum tip into the tip pool even if the customer stiffed her completely. Also a certain percentage of the tip was mandated for sharing anyway no matter how generous or ungenerous the tip was. Some people tip heavily some do not. The money is rarely solely the property of the person receiving the tip.
How does a customer stiff the waitress when you pay for the bottles upfront with either cash or an approved credit card? Auto grat is always included. I doubt a waitress ever had to pay in money she wasn't given. If this came from the reality show then I think that's probably just creative TV to make it interesting.
Perhaps, but it did seem that Rehab ran tabs and had people pay before leaving. It could indeed be pure hype to make the show more interesting. The producers of the show want ratings, not truth.Quote: JimMorrisonIf this came from the reality show then I think that's probably just creative TV to make it interesting.
Quote: gofaster87If you're known at a club or the host can vouch for you then there's no problem running a tab. They're not going to let some average joe of the street order bottles of crystal and run up a $50k bill without showing the ability to pay for it first. Ive had tabs but they were either small or we knew the host.
They're going to want a credit card for a tab. I'm friends with the president of one company and the owner of another and never have run a tab without putting a valid card down first. I prefer to pay in cash though so there is no surprise at the end of the night.
Quote: WizardQuote: rxwineI have nothing to contribute to this thread, except this
I didn't know anybody still used "stones" as a basis of weight measurement.
Us lot in UK do... I still think in stones for weight of a person to gauge how light/heavy someone is...
Quote: cellardoorIt seems like you are waiting for someone to describe some aspect of the club life that you would enjoy, and then have an epiphany and reverse course on your opinion.
I'm waiting for someone to explain something about the appeal of night clubs, loud parties, etc that makes sense. I know I hate those things, I know why, and I wouldn't change my view on them for all the money on Earth.
Quote: gofaster87This is so laughable. I have insulted no one. I do have some of the same views as Singer but Ive never met the guy and have had very brief interactions on the internet with him.
I apologize for having confused you with Jerry/Rob. I'm sorry I did.
You could try dialing down your aggresive tone, however, to prevent further missunderstandings. As I said earlier, I'm not looking for a fight here.
Quote: NareedI will take this up in another thread, but I wanted to reply to this message first:
I'm waiting for someone to explain something about the appeal of night clubs, loud parties, etc that makes sense. I know I hate those things, I know why, and I wouldn't change my view on them for all the money on Earth.
I agree, I don't find the atmosphere and noise appealing in night clubs. But, it's where the women are. They get their admission and drinks for free for the most part and the guys throw away money and deal with the night club atmosphere to be where the girls are. Playing volleyball on the beach or sipping drinks around the pool with some beautiful women would be preferrable IMO.
Quote: NareedI'm waiting for someone to explain something about the appeal of night clubs, loud parties, etc that makes sense. I know I hate those things, I know why, and I wouldn't change my view on them for all the money on Earth.
Why is making sense a requirement? I was never a club-scene person myself, but there's obviously a demand or there would be no supply. If your question is "why did that demand develop", well I'm sure there's an interesting history there. I don't know it myself, but I could speculate. For one, the nightclub is one of the few places in present society which allows and encourages behavior that is often frowned upon elsewhere: dancing. And I don't mean the sort of dancing with official, discrete moves (e.g. square) or well-known technique (ballroom, etc), but the sort where the participants move freely and enter a trance-like state. Such dance is a ritualistic part of several cultures, including in South America and Africa, but not particularly in the U.S. or Europe. Perhaps the current nightclub culture is a way to recapture that ritualistic behavior?
Also, I offer an analogy from first-hand experience. I'm not a big fan of dive bars, especially smoky ones, but I do like playing blues and especially in a jam session setting. When I lived in Las Vegas, the only place to play a blues jam (that I found) was at the Sand Dollar on Spring Mountain. Last I heard, a new owner turned it into a rock-n-roll bar with bikini-clad waitresses, but that's off-topic. Point is, I'd go there to play in spite of the smoky/dive-bar scene because I liked the blues more than I disliked the smoke. I would submit that the patrons of many nightclubs are similar, in that they like the dancing, crowds, and loud music more than they dislike whichever factors (if any) they find undesirable.
Quote: MathExtremistWhy is making sense a requirement?
Long standing frustration and anger with places loaded with loud music, to be very brief about it
But as I said, I'll take the matter up on another thread.
Quote: NareedI'm waiting for someone to explain something about the appeal of night clubs, loud parties, etc that makes sense. I know I hate those things, I know why, and I wouldn't change my view on them for all the money on Earth.
I'm sure there must be a term for it, but I think some people experience the same kind of group euphoria at night clubs that other people get at a hot craps table, sporting event, or a "spirit filled" church.
When I was in Panama I went to a nightclub (they call them "discos" there) and it was genuinely fun. I enjoyed the music better than what they play here and the crowd was really dancing -- well. One could really feel the mood of the place. I don't feel that kind of connection in the Vegas clubs, but maybe others do.
Although commonly associated with being in the vicinity of people under the influence of drugs, the term is "Contact high".Quote: WizardI'm sure there must be a term for it...
Quote: WizardI think some people experience the same kind of group euphoria at night clubs that other people get at a hot craps table, sporting event, or a "spirit filled" church.
I feel like this is worthy of exploration, and there must be gray area. Maybe we could set up a scatter plot with the Y axis running from nightclubs to sports, and the x axis running from Church to casinos. Then we can discover who the 100% club people are, who the spirit-church closet-clubbers are, etc.
