my vegas clubbing experience 4/28 n 4/29

[presto]

Tipping a host means you get a "desireable" location. Obviously if you dont care about being right in the middle of the part and want a chill spot, then this is a moot point. So in your case, since you had a low traffic area that most "partiers" would rather not be (id say hallway is 2nd to the lounge in terms of worst tables there), that is why you not tipping the host wasnt important. Now for someone like me and my friends, who enjoy seeing the DJ and dancefloor from our table, location is crucial. The host will also constantly check up on you and your group if you take care of them.. texting to see how the night is going.. texting the next morning.. things like that. and if you didnt have a good time, theres a good chance they will remedy that and go the extra mile to ensure your next trip or night will be amazing. So for someone like me, MY tip to the host DOES something.

Tipping the security means he brings you girls, he walks your guest to the bathroom and back, he is more lenient on what can go on at your table, he kicks people out of your table that either dont belong there or you rather not have around anymore. But like you said, you brought your SOs, so again, moot point. Low traffic area, so you didnt have to worry about stragglers coming by to try and "hang around." Having tables in high traffic areas, I've had plenty of times where girls would randomly try to stop by and see whats up.. *bottle rat alert*.. one wave to the security and the girls are on their way. Had a time where a drunk dude came to our table and wouldnt leave.. again, wave the security over, and the guy was "moved." Girls need to go to the bathroom? Yep, wave the security for the escort. A few times I had buddies that were trashed and doing stupid things or passing out.. and security called me over and just said "ask em to be coo man".. sure thing! So for someone like me, MY tip to the security DID something.

Tipping the runner means he works twice as hard for you. Not sure whether or not your table was taken care of in terms of ice, cups, etc. since you didnt go into detail but for us, we go through those things like butter. And every time I've had a table, ice bucket was ALWAYS filled.. even when it was like 3/4's full, the runner will change it out. The cups seemed to never end, nor did the mixers ever run dry. These things were constantly and instantly full at all times throughout the night until we left. Many times when theres a head liner, ill ask the runner to go grab me some swag.. glowsticks, glasses, etc. for my group, which is always nice and fun to have. So for someone like me, MY tip to the runner DID something (notice a trend?)

This is all dependent on the type of night you want to have. if you dont care about where you sit and have gfs/wives with you, meaning you want to be left alone, then i can see where tipping might not make sense. but if you want to go "all out vegas style" so to speak, meet all kinds of people, and just feel like fuckin VIPs in the club, then tipping DOES make a big difference. And i think the latter is what alot of us prefer to have in terms of nightlife.. thus it sometimes seems like everyone preaches the requirement of going big with bottles or else it'll suck. but if you look closer, many times people will recommend presale tix or something that is budget-friendly too, so theres definitely a balance

edit: Who was the host you used that was "highly recommended" on here..? how long in advance did you contact them before your trip? text? email?

[Jhaulotte]

Also Presto, and I am sure you have experienced this, I have had hosts buy random shots for my table throughout the night and bring over extra liquor from tables where it went unused. All things above and beyond what was expected.

[MangoPort]

Happy to mind your business on the table - and not looking for anything above and beyond from security? No prob, don't tip security.

On the flipside, many of the posters here are vegas regulars, who have built up relationships with hosts, the people who can help take a 'good' night and turn it into a 'great' night.


Personally, I always use hosts and for me its as much as anything about insurance - making sure the night goes smoothly,


Bit different with the runner though. Tipping the runner doesn't make the ice melt any slower, but those poor bastards work their backsides off and the pay sucks, so I always look after the runner. Figure its good karma.

It's the "good night" vs. "great night" that I don't quite understand. If it's to get a better table location that makes some sense (like a bribe to be seated above what you're paying for) but everything else seems silly.

You didn't need tip a host because a host did not provide a service for you. I don't know where you got the fear that no tip to the host, security or runner would make them ruin your night. That makes no sense.

I'm fairly certain a host on this board (I feel bad if I've named the wrong person but I can try and find the quote) that said everything about your night is determined between the time you meet your host and the time they walk you to your table, and a host can ruin your night if they are not happy.

Actually, I will go ahead and find the quote.

Also, Runners get 20% of the 20% tipped to waitresses. I've heard they pull in around $80-$100k. That's not shit pay, that's pretty fantastic. Granted they work VERY hard, but they are paid extraordinarily well, just like Waitresses.
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2011/02...ays-night.html

[MangoPort]

Here is the quote, taken without proper context:

Yes, you tip upfront. Think about it... there are 2 things in your way of having the night of your life at a Las Vegas nightclub... a little velvet rope, and a VIP host who controls that rope as well as where you will be sitting. From the moment that rope opens to the time your host walks over to the podium to get your slip is the time where all of the decisions are made on where you're going to be sitting... now wouldn't you want that host to walk over to that podium a happy person? If your host walks over to the podium with nothing in hand(or something worked out before you get to the club), the guy thats running the room (who you want to make happy the most) isn't going to care whether or not your table is a garbage can, flipped over, and a table cloth put on it next to the bathroom. Make your host happy. Its a small price to pay for the epic night you're about to have.

Now, I honestly don't think the host is truly saying you're f-ked if you don't tip, but for someone that hasn't read everything in context this is a pretty intimidating statement, and that's what noooob was worried about.

There are stories that if you don't tip you'll be asked to leave your table when you finish your alcohol, or kicked out at 1am etc.

[BrianF]

If giving a few key people a few hundred dollars ensures that me and my group are going to be well taken care of without any hassles during the night I consider that the best bet in Vegas. The last thing I need when I'm having a good time is a problem coming in and fucking my night up.

[Chuck]

Also Presto, and I am sure you have experienced this, I have had hosts buy random shots for my table throughout the night and bring over extra liquor from tables where it went unused. All things above and beyond what was expected.

My group was given two rounds of "shots" by our host. These were three gulp shots in rocks glasses by the way. The first were Patron, what's a double Patron cost in a club? Second round were Lemon Drops as I recall, and again they were FULL rocks glasses. Those two rounds alone were at least $100 in free drinks from the host. I was also offered a no minimum table @ Tao Beach with comped lunch the next day. Between my prime table location, free drinks, and free offers for the next day I'd say $400 tip went a very long way. No doubt you can have a good time at a less then prime location and not tipping much, but the perks of "going big" are awesome. Thanks to Noob for starting this thread. Its provided some good discussion and done nicely to clarify different approaches to BS in Vegas.

[dnix]

Ive never heard of anyone being kicked off their table for not tipping the host. The bank is the only club I can think of that gets reports of asking people to leave if they don't buy more bottles. Buts its just extortion for sales, not tips.

Why would anyone take advise from a host on tipping?? I don't ask my waitress how much to tip her. Don't get it.

Lastly, you should brush up on the forum, because 99% of the members would have advised to buy per-sale tix for XS, NOT grease. Then take the money you saved on cover, throw the Tao host a little tip and commit to 2 bottle since you bought them anyway, and get a much better table. You didn't not get the full benifits of the money you spent. Kind of takes away from the point of your post IMO.

[nooob]

man why you folks gotta go on here and get all negative and tell me im contradicting my self, that i need to read the forum over. i didn't bash this forum, i already said that this forum has geat info. if you can tip great, if you want something special done money talks, ie great table location n girls being walked over to your table n shit. i was just giving my perspective as someone who does want to enjoy the vegas club but can't afford to shell out shit loads of money for prime tables n shit. Everyones experience is going to be a little bit different. I know how to read, I know what I read, and majority( notice i said majority not all) of the posts here all lean towards BS, and that one needs a great table to have a good time. even now. ppl on this thread are saying shit like i sat in the hallway Im a loser.

and FYI our glasses never ran out, our ice and chasers were always full.

I swear you folks must be throwing out all these tipping suggestions because yall must work in the industry or something. welps what ever. I'm done with this forum. Peace Out.

[BrianF]

man why you folks gotta go on here and get all negative and tell me im contradicting my self, that i need to read the forum over. i didn't bash this forum, i already said that this forum has geat info. if you can tip great, if you want something special done money talks, ie great table location n girls being walked over to your table n shit. i was just giving my perspective as someone who does want to enjoy the vegas club but can't afford to shell out shit loads of money for prime tables n shit. Everyones experience is going to be a little bit different. I know how to read, I know what I read, and majority( notice i said majority not all) of the posts here all lean towards BS, and that one needs a great table to have a good time. even now. ppl on this thread are saying shit like i sat in the hallway Im a loser.

and FYI our glasses never ran out, our ice and chasers were always full.

I swear you folks must be throwing out all these tipping suggestions because yall must work in the industry or something. welps what ever. I'm done with this forum. Peace Out.

Settle down man, it's just a forum having said that nobody called you an idiot. Several people thanked you for post and perspective on the subject. I haven't been a registered used long but I've found all the different opinions invaluable in planning my next trip and this thread is no different. There are quite a few Vegas vets that love to live the big time life and there are just as many weekend warriors that just go to have a good time. Nobody was attacking you on a personal level. But if you insist on leaving before ya go can you tell us the name of the host that ignored you?

[Dynasty]

Who do I tip for reading such an entertaining thread at work? Great thread and information.....

And that tom brokaw character has to be the funniest dude on JC

[BigPimp]

Here is the quote, taken without proper context:

Yes, you tip upfront. Think about it... there are 2 things in your way of having the night of your life at a Las Vegas nightclub... a little velvet rope, and a VIP host who controls that rope as well as where you will be sitting. From the moment that rope opens to the time your host walks over to the podium to get your slip is the time where all of the decisions are made on where you're going to be sitting... now wouldn't you want that host to walk over to that podium a happy person? If your host walks over to the podium with nothing in hand(or something worked out before you get to the club), the guy thats running the room (who you want to make happy the most) isn't going to care whether or not your table is a garbage can, flipped over, and a table cloth put on it next to the bathroom. Make your host happy. Its a small price to pay for the epic night you're about to have.

Now, I honestly don't think the host is truly saying you're f-ked if you don't tip, but for someone that hasn't read everything in context this is a pretty intimidating statement, and that's what noooob was worried about.

There are stories that if you don't tip you'll be asked to leave your table when you finish your alcohol, or kicked out at 1am etc.

Anthony's post is - on its face, no need for context or implication - talking about table location. That's all Anthony's post talks about. The OP sat in the hallway, one of the worst table locations at Tao. The OP said there were plenty of tables open in the Opium room, yet the OP was seated in the hallway. Anthony's post appears to be supported by the OP's experience.

[dnix]

First off, Ive never had a table over a 2 bottle min, which you just spent on your table, so WE are no different budget wise. None of us live in Vegas, so working the industry would be rather difficult.

All Im saying is IMHO, you werent as smart with your money as you could of been, so when you give the impression your knocking people for throwing money around, its a little contradicting. Everyone is obviously going to have their own opinion on tipping, thats why the tipping thread is the most pointless thread on the forum. Everyone has a different perspective on the value of their money.

In the end, as long as your happy with your night, thats all that matters. But expecting everyone to agree with it on a public forum is absurd. If you didnt want opinions on it, you shouldnt of started the thread.

[Chuck]

Happy to mind your business on the table - and not looking for anything above and beyond from security? No prob, don't tip security.

On the flipside, many of the posters here are vegas regulars, who have built up relationships with hosts, the people who can help take a 'good' night and turn it into a 'great' night.


Personally, I always use hosts and for me its as much as anything about insurance - making sure the night goes smoothly,


Bit different with the runner though. Tipping the runner doesn't make the ice melt any slower, but those poor bastards work their backsides off and the pay sucks, so I always look after the runner. Figure its good karma.

It's the "good night" vs. "great night" that I don't quite understand. If it's to get a better table location that makes some sense (like a bribe to be seated above what you're paying for) but everything else seems silly.

You didn't need tip a host because a host did not provide a service for you. I don't know where you got the fear that no tip to the host, security or runner would make them ruin your night. That makes no sense.

I'm fairly certain a host on this board (I feel bad if I've named the wrong person but I can try and find the quote) that said everything about your night is determined between the time you meet your host and the time they walk you to your table, and a host can ruin your night if they are not happy.

Actually, I will go ahead and find the quote.

Also, Runners get 20% of the 20% tipped to waitresses. I've heard they pull in around $80-$100k. That's not shit pay, that's pretty fantastic. Granted they work VERY hard, but they are paid extraordinarily well, just like Waitresses.
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2011/02...ays-night.html

That's a good article...I will tip my next runner even more now.
btw...I crunched the numbers on that $80-100k figure and while theoretically possible, it's not likely. That would only be doable if they worked 5 days a week, every week, and worked on (3) $2,000+ minimum spend tables EVERY night and got tipped extra. Maybe there's a couple ALLSTAR RUNNERS in Vegas that are assigned only dance floor tables every night that could pull that...but I'm sure they are rare at best.

[MangoPort]

That's a good article...I will tip my next runner even more now.
btw...I crunched the numbers on that $80-100k figure and while theoretically possible, it's not likely. That would only be doable if they worked 5 days a week, every week, and worked on (3) $2,000+ minimum spend tables EVERY night and got tipped extra. Maybe there's a couple ALLSTAR RUNNERS in Vegas that are assigned only dance floor tables every night that could pull that...but I'm sure they are rare at best.

The $80k-$100k figure is from somewhere else, and unfortunately I cannot provide a link for it. I've also heard valet guys make $110k, but again I realize without a source this seems hearsay. I do tip my runner, always, I was just saying the pay is not shit by a long shot.

[Jhaulotte]

Also Presto, and I am sure you have experienced this, I have had hosts buy random shots for my table throughout the night and bring over extra liquor from tables where it went unused. All things above and beyond what was expected.

My group was given two rounds of "shots" by our host. These were three gulp shots in rocks glasses by the way. The first were Patron, what's a double Patron cost in a club? Second round were Lemon Drops as I recall, and again they were FULL rocks glasses. Those two rounds alone were at least $100 in free drinks from the host. I was also offered a no minimum table @ Tao Beach with comped lunch the next day. Between my prime table location, free drinks, and free offers for the next day I'd say $400 tip went a very long way. No doubt you can have a good time at a less then prime location and not tipping much, but the perks of "going big" are awesome. Thanks to Noob for starting this thread. Its provided some good discussion and done nicely to clarify different approaches to BS in Vegas.

Those shots are always a great way to kick off the night. Its awesome to have a host that wants to get the party started for his/her guests.