When, who and how much do you tip?

[Fran Booogie]

Sup folks,

I'm a noob to the whole bottle service thing in Vegas because I've never needed to do it or someone else always took care of it. With that said, I'm going to a bachelor party in May and I did some browsing on your site and I've seen a lot of useful information. Something did stand out that I wanted to ask a Vegas bottle service veteran about.

"$1200 min + 96 tax + 240 auto grat + 100 host tip + 50 security + 20 busboy = $1706"

So I came across this equation on one of the threads. I assumed that when doing bottle service, you were only charged the bottle + tax + auto grat. How does the host, security and busboy tip work?

I'm sorry if this may sound redundant or elementary but I would appreciate any information regarding this.

Thanks.

[ocam]

Security = stops people coming into your area; brings girls to you; pushes people out of your way so you can get to the bathroom/dance floor; look the other way if someone is drunk or on something
Busboy = brings you ice; mixers; brings additional glasses for biddies; clears empty glasses/bottles
Host = person who takes your booking; walks you in (if not tied up); has a say in which table you get; has the ability to reduce your minimum spend if your tip is generous; organises things so your night runs smoothly; checks in with you to see how you're going (i.e. ensures you get the "VIP" feeling/experience); is the person you can give feedback to if things aren't going right and then they will sort out the issue

If you don't tip these guys, then don't expect them to pay you attention over their other guests (e.g. mixers take a little longer to get to you; deal with the bathroom line yourself; enjoy table 999999999 in the back-right corner outside and across the road)

[Fran Booogie]

Ocam, thank you very much for that detailed explanation. So tipping security is done when we get seated? When would be the appropriate time to tip the host and busboy?

[ocam]

You are introduced to your security guard / busboy by the person that takes you to your table.

Often the person that takes you to your table is the host, but sometimes if they are caught up, someone else will take you.

Give the person who takes you to the table your host tip (which you should ideally have already told the host when booking your table, so that they can give you the best table / lowest min they can). In the palm while you handshake is the way to do it - but it's not a drug deal so no need to be uber sly about it.

Give your tips to security / busboy when introduced by your host. This way they already have $ from you and will help you from the start of your night. Think about it, why would they risk working hard for you with no reward? Of course, they will do their job - you just won't get the "additional" help they can provide.

P.S. I tend to tip everyone quite well (double what I posted above).

[Fran Booogie]

Again, I appreciate the information and I will definitely go by this word for word. Definitely valuable information, especially if you're looking to have a great night. Thanks for sharing your expertise.

[ocam]

Have a read through this for the complete story (updated with answers to your questions)

http://forums.jackcolton.com/showthr...678#post202678

[Hungover]

Give the person who takes you to the table your host tip (which you should ideally have already told the host when booking your table, so that they can give you the best table / lowest min they can). In the palm while you handshake is the way to do it - but it's not a drug deal so no need to be uber sly about it.

So you are saying when I set up the table texting with the host I should say "just an FYI I plan to tip you 200$". Or is there something else I should say? Never done that before any help would be great!

[ocam]

Give the person who takes you to the table your host tip (which you should ideally have already told the host when booking your table, so that they can give you the best table / lowest min they can). In the palm while you handshake is the way to do it - but it's not a drug deal so no need to be uber sly about it.

So you are saying when I set up the table texting with the host I should say "just an FYI I plan to tip you 200$". Or is there something else I should say? Never done that before any help would be great!

If you don't know what location you want:
I would say "Hi [host name]. I'm [your name] from the JC forums and got your details from there. I'd like to book a table at [club] on [day, date]. I've got a group of [x] people ([y] guys and [z] girls) including me. Our host tip for the night will be $[x]. Could you please let me know what minimum and location I could expect? Appreciate your help. Thanks [your name]"

If you know the location you want:
I would say "Hi [host name]. I'm [your name] from the JC forums and got your details from there. I'd like to book a table at [club] on [day, date]. I've got a group of [x] people ([y] guys and [z] girls) including me. Our host tip for the night will be $[x]. I was hoping to get [table number [x] / a table in [x] location]. Could you please let me know what minimum I could expect and whether this location would be possible based on my tip? Appreciate your help. Thanks [your name]"

If you are unable to get that location based on the tip, then ask whether $[greater tip amount] would get it.

Remember, hosts can't guarantee locations but will try their best (especially if they are a host recommended here) - so get there early before other people beat you to your preferred location.

EDIT: Also, this is just a suggestion. If you are budget conscious, then you'd ask about what the host could do for you with a budget of "$X all-inclusive, including a host tip of $Y".

[Good2Go]

Have any of you tried the "all-inclusive" budget when booking with a host? I was thinking of just giving a number and seeing what they can set up with them coming up with their own host tip. Main reason for this is to get a low minimum however they see fit.

[ocam]

Have any of you tried the "all-inclusive" budget when booking with a host? I was thinking of just giving a number and seeing what they can set up with them coming up with their own host tip. Main reason for this is to get a low minimum however they see fit.

The hosts on these forums are humble and won't calculate a tip for themselves. The tip is how the customer (you) show your gratitude (and also signal that you are after a better location or lower minimum). Also, if you ask a host for an "all-inclusive" price, it tends to be understood that the "all-inclusive price" won't include tips (which are at your discretion).

If you are tight on cash, then just adjust your tips accordingly and be honest about it: e.g. "what's the lowest minimum you can do, our total budget is $x, including a $y host tip". A $50 host tip won't blow your budget (and is deserved if the host can hook you up with a b1g1 or b2g1 deal).

Of course you want to get the best deal; but it's not the same as buying a car where you're trying to screw the dealer and get the lowest price you can.