Do Vegas BS rules apply outside of Vegas?

[Sidekicknicholas]

Not sure if this is the right area for this question, but figured it would get lots of views and quality answers here...

I just moved to Minneapolis not long ago and am planning a night out this weekend... I've only ever done bottle service in Vegas, and am curious if all the same "rules" apply....

* Tipping the same people (runners / host / security) as you would in Vegas, or is it less common outside of Vegas to do this?

* Vegas almost always has a B1G1 or B2G1 deal of some sort, or other "unpublished" deals.... do these generally exist at other clubs too?


Thanks everyone!

[ReasonableDoubt]

I'm in DC & from NY & have done BS in both and also in MIA, LV, ATL & LA; here's my perspective on it -

Tipping the same people (runners / host / security) as you would in Vegas, or is it less common outside of Vegas to do this?
I've tipped hosts & promoters, but not not the same as I would in LV. Maybe $50. Remember LV is largely a service tipped based city; others aren't.

Vegas almost always has a B1G1 or B2G1 deal of some sort, or other "unpublished" deals.... do these generally exist at other clubs too?
I've seen them other places, but it generally just means the base bottle prices are lower. For example, here at the W Hotel, they have a Rooftop lounge/bar that overlooks the National Mall. It's a HOT spot. On Thursdays they usually do $150 bottles of Crown Royal Black & Ciroc. Usual prices are ~$450 during the weekend.

One thing that IS very different, is the bottle to person ratio (1 bottle per ~3ppl) is something I've only seen in Vegas. Everywhere else you can buy a table with one bottle and have up to 8 people be apart of that one table.

[artedm]

ReasonableDoubt
Have you ever been to Echo Stage in DC? Is it any good?

[ReasonableDoubt]

ReasonableDoubt
Have you ever been to Echo Stage in DC? Is it any good?

I've been to it lots of times before it was re-branded "Echo Stage". It's not really a club/lounge, more so just a concert venue because the place is literally just a big ass empty warehouse. It's nothing to "write home" about. It's good if somebody you want to see is playing, but atmosphere, etc wise; NO.

[ccc]

Vegas bottles/person standards do apply in LA and San Diego, but you do have more wiggle room. Local hosts appreciate repeat business or people with connections just as much or more than Vegas hosts. Send them business even if you can't get a table together yourself, and they'll take care of you.

[exclusivo]

In ny, tipping giving the bouncer a handshake tip will get you in without a bottle lol....otherwise four guys to a bottle, usually 3-400.

[cowboy2024]

In Chicago you usually have to put a hold (1/2 the min) for a table on a busy night. They usually pre-assign your table so there's really no benefit to tipping. I had one host I used to work with that would always bring us a round or two of shots at some point during the night so I'd usually throw $50 - 100 his way.

I think a lot more "walk up" bottle service happens outside of Vegas...people hit up a club and meet some people then decide that buying a bottle or two sounds like a good idea.

[Universal]

In Chicago you usually have to put a hold (1/2 the min) for a table on a busy night. They usually pre-assign your table so there's really no benefit to tipping. I had one host I used to work with that would always bring us a round or two of shots at some point during the night so I'd usually throw $50 - 100 his way.

I think a lot more "walk up" bottle service happens outside of Vegas...people hit up a club and meet some people then decide that buying a bottle or two sounds like a good idea.

One thing I found interesting last time we were in Chicago is they seemed very conscious about not overselling the amount of alcohol that is safe for the number of people in your group. They had no problem putting my wife and I at a premium table at ROOF and all we had to do was buy a $150 bottle of Veuve. The doorman also refused my tip. Very different scene from Vegas but still enjoyable.

This is off the subject but we also had one of the best meals of our lives at Japonais. We had a table downstairs in the lounge area overlooking the water. DJ was great and it was probably the best looking crowd I've seen at one place in any city. Plus the food was great.

[ReasonableDoubt]

In Chicago you usually have to put a hold (1/2 the min) for a table on a busy night. They usually pre-assign your table so there's really no benefit to tipping. I had one host I used to work with that would always bring us a round or two of shots at some point during the night so I'd usually throw $50 - 100 his way.

I think a lot more "walk up" bottle service happens outside of Vegas...people hit up a club and meet some people then decide that buying a bottle or two sounds like a good idea.

+1 on this.

[cowboy2024]

This is off the subject but we also had one of the best meals of our lives at Japonais. We had a table downstairs in the lounge area overlooking the water. DJ was great and it was probably the best looking crowd I've seen at one place in any city. Plus the food was great.

Japonais is a solid place. I think about every other time I go there I see Vince Vaughn and / or Piven and Cusack.

[Sidekicknicholas]

Thanks for all the responses!

Minneapolis opened an "Insert Coins" (same as in Vegas) not to long ago and this Friday they have a a HUGE MarioKart 64 tournament... there is no way I would miss that. Since I will be busy doing that for a few hours or so I figured get a table / bottle(s) for those who want to come but aren't in the tourny.

I've emailed them for a bottle price list ... and go from there.

Thanks again

[donniejay]

Out here in the Bay Area, it's usually 5-6 people to a bottle.

As far as comps goes, the most I can usually do is throw in a free champagne bottle. Or offer a free champagne bottle and table on a Thurs/Friday night.

Ciroc is probably the most popular spirit right now, and we do it for as low as $150 on certain nights. Vegas would be closer to $450-$500 easy.

I wish I would get Vegas sized tips out here. haha

[Sidekicknicholas]

I emailed their "VIP" person and sounds like one bottle = 4/5 people, bottles start at $150 and go up to $280.

With the bottle you get the booth for the whole night, two LCD tvs, two video game consoles (old and new), any game(s) you could want...

I'll probably wait until the day before or night of, if they're looking a little empty maybe pitch them a B1G1 deal or see if they'll throw in some bubbly or something.

... pretty awesome to have bottles under $200.

[cowboy2024]

One minor detail you may want to confirm is bottle size. In Vegas the "standard" bottle is 1 liter. In some cities the "standard" bottle is 750 mL. Not a huge deal at lower prices, but something to keep in mind.

[iciice]

Insert Coins in MPLS isn't the same as Vegas. We went there one Friday night and it was may be 20% full.....don't know how long it's going to last. As for bottle service, I agree with a previous post - unless it's a brand new place, there's little need. Just go there and know that if you like the spot, you can get a bottle for normally under $150. Also, drink specials tend to be even better priced then getting your own bottle and w/few exceptions most places dedicate very little space to tables, so just not a strong need for BS even on Sat night. Upper midwest "financial conservatism" (i.e. lots of cheap bastards live here)