When will and won't clubs charge cover?

[msuns]

I've been to Vegas two times in the past year and am still confused about cover charges at clubs. I think club websites will always say that there are cover charges, but my experiences at the actual clubs differ. Last spring I went to Pure and XS (having put my friends and I on the guestlist earlier) and no one (not even the guys) had to pay any cover, but then when I went to Marquee last Fall, there were only 3/7 of my group on the guest list, so the other 4 had the pay cover. But even then, the girl at the payment stand was kind enough to just charge the girls, making it cheaper overall.

I would think that it's a guest list kind of thing, but I've had friends who went to Marquee, all of whom were on the guest list, but all still had to pay cover.

Is there some sort of rule to follow to not pay cover, or is it always random and a kind of luck thing?

[Drew]

I've been to Vegas two times in the past year and am still confused about cover charges at clubs. I think club websites will always say that there are cover charges, but my experiences at the actual clubs differ. Last spring I went to Pure and XS (having put my friends and I on the guestlist earlier) and no one (not even the guys) had to pay any cover, but then when I went to Marquee last Fall, there were only 3/7 of my group on the guest list, so the other 4 had the pay cover. But even then, the girl at the payment stand was kind enough to just charge the girls, making it cheaper overall.

I would think that it's a guest list kind of thing, but I've had friends who went to Marquee, all of whom were on the guest list, but all still had to pay cover.

Is there some sort of rule to follow to not pay cover, or is it always random and a kind of luck thing?

Depends. Guys almost always pay cover at a big club in some form either directly through a cover or through a handshake with the host. If you're on a hosts guestlist, that may waive cover, but if the hosts walks you in, you'd pay by tipping him. Girls on a guestlist almost never pay cover. Alot of times it's up to the host/doormen and your relationship with them as well.

[T Dot]

As you point out: It all depends.

Bottle Service = Should not pay cover.

Everything else just depends on how you got on the "guestlist", who put you on it and what is happening that night at the club.

Girls rarely pay cover, if they contact the host before they arrive and the host lets them in.

Guys usually pay cover, even if you contact the host prior to arriving and ask to be put on their guestlist. Though, when you contact the host you should ask if you have to pay cover or not, while insinuating that you will take care of him and you will usually get your answer. If you grease the host sufficiently, you may not have to pay cover.

Examples:

1 night at PURE on a Saturday, we had pre-arranged bottle service. When we arrived at the club around 10, the bottle service line was just as long as the regular line, and the only reason we didnt wait in the mass confusion was because we tipped the doorman (guy with the clip board) $300 to let us in and give us a table in the Red Room. There were 12 of us, 6 guys 6 girls. Though, I should point out, we didn't use the direct host contact provided on JC.com (this night was before I knew about jackcolton.com). Use direct hosts and don't waste your time.

Another Saturday night at PURE... 12 of us for a bachelor party, someone else in our group arranged that night... used a "VIP" company and they actually did a good job.. we paid $150 each, the guy met us at 11:30 outside the club and walked us right in, no cover, had 5 bottles and the table right beside the dancefloor in white room in the ropped off section.

[dnix]

Only guarantee is if you have a table. If you dont have a table, you never know.