May 20th 16 Trip

[tank77]

Hi all

I've the unenviable role of trip organiser for my own bachelor party to Vegas (from UK) and am bringing with me 18 other lads for the trip, which makes this pretty much a logistical nightmare in terms of organising tables for the big day / night clubs. We're not looking to scrimp, everyones bringing between $4500 - $6000 each as they've been warned about cost in plenty of time.

The plan is to do 4 table service nights minimum (we arrive friday so Fri, sat, Tues, thurs), 2 pool parties (sat and sun) and then for the sunday night aim for XS nightswim prepaid and either organise something over there for the mon or weds, or just get prepay tickets (given i think numbers will end up being low).

Thanks to everyones posts and sticky's sort of know where to go, who to contact, when to do it (i.e. not now!), how much to tip hosts (thinking whatever we do $50 a man minimum) and i've used Discotech to get a feel for prices but i just wondered on what people thought we should do with nightclubs. With the big group big minimums are reachable but only if we all get around 1 table - i'm not sure that'd work so i'm preparing to book 2 lesser tables (together) to ensure we have enough room etc. HAs anyone else had to sort for such a large male group and what advice would you give?

Again night life wise, are there any lively non nightclub places to go on some of the other days? i've told them we may as well go to clubs but there is a big bar culture in the UK and just wanted to know if anyone knew anywhere there is a quality party that wasnt a club. I'm sure i know the answer but just checking!

Same goes for pool parties - thinking of doing 1 daybed so we have a base for our stuff which admits 10, get 9 prepay tickets and split the lot between the group. we're only really bothered about having somewhere to put our gear, have the odd sit down and not have to go the bar to get beers. Again just wondering what the general consensus is for that strategy.....

Any advice for handling such a large group is welcome. We'll at some point be doing the usual strip club / meals / gun range stuff so think thats covered. Thanks in advance!

[empire55]

19 people with $4500 - $6000 each (avg of $5,250) is almost a $100k budget. How many days are you staying (which days)? Is this budget strictly for partying or accommodations also?

Sounds like you'll be there a week or so before MDW so you may experience a tad bit of "Calm before the storm". But it'll still be off the hook as all pools will be open. One thing's for sure, you'll need more than one table per club as 19 is just too many dudes at a table. You may opt for a skybox (they're generally less expensive than main df tables) but you gotta book em early. When you opt to book 2 x tables, make sure to haggle with your host as you can bring the mins way lower. And I'd suggest you don't tell your host that you have 19 guys. Lock in the mins before you arrive. A little harmless lie like "12 guys" that happen to be 19 when you show up never hurt nobody. Just saying.

[DeX]

19 people with $4500 - $6000 each (avg of $5,250) is almost a $100k budget. How many days are you staying (which days)? Is this budget strictly for partying or accommodations also?

Sounds like you'll be there a week or so before MDW so you may experience a tad bit of "Calm before the storm". But it'll still be off the hook as all pools will be open. One thing's for sure, you'll need more than one table per club as 19 is just too many dudes at a table. You may opt for a skybox (they're generally less expensive than main df tables) but you gotta book em early. When you opt to book 2 x tables, make sure to haggle with your host as you can bring the mins way lower. And I'd suggest you don't tell your host that you have 19 guys. Lock in the mins before you arrive. A little harmless lie like "12 guys" that happen to be 19 when you show up never hurt nobody. Just saying.

I recommend not doing the last part unless you have multiple tables booked. 12 -> 19 is a big gap in nightlife especially when it comes to all guys

[tank77]

Thanks guys. I was sure we'd have to book 2 tables when we had the full crew out. We land friday and we're there for a week, so yes just missing MDW but i doubt it'll be dead. That budget is purely for partying, and i'll just be upfront when i book, and from what i've read assuming the handshake is healthy enough (host going to get $1k or best part of it from us each time) we can get decent mins and solid tables?

Itinerary so far is (Staying MGM)

Fri - XS
Sat AM EBC
Sat PM - Marquee
Sun AM Wet
Sun PM Nightswim (probably pre pay but depending how we go and get on with the hosts may try an on the day table booking if it makes sense)
Tues PM Omnia
Thurs PM Hak (unless you can recommend an EDM friendly alternative).

Mon & weds play by ear.

[tank77]

Budget wise, accomodation and flights already taken care of.

[empire55]

I recommend not doing the last part unless you have multiple tables booked. 12 -> 19 is a big gap in nightlife especially when it comes to all guys

Depends on your host and your relationship, really. But if you don't have a relationship, I find that if you throw out a big number, they'll factor in the chip-ins and give you a higher min. It makes NO difference for them whether it's 12 guys or 19 guys otherwise in 2 tables. Specially if you tip really well. This is not a "scam" or anything - just a general tip to keep the mins low.

And I appreciate that you'll give a good handshake - but keep in mind that your min is usually agreed upon prior to meeting him. Unless you specify the handshake with him beforehand. That works too.

[empire55]

Thanks guys. I was sure we'd have to book 2 tables when we had the full crew out. We land friday and we're there for a week, so yes just missing MDW but i doubt it'll be dead. That budget is purely for partying, and i'll just be upfront when i book, and from what i've read assuming the handshake is healthy enough (host going to get $1k or best part of it from us each time) we can get decent mins and solid tables?

Itinerary so far is (Staying MGM)

Fri - XS
Sat AM EBC
Sat PM - Marquee
Sun AM Wet
Sun PM Nightswim (probably pre pay but depending how we go and get on with the hosts may try an on the day table booking if it makes sense)
Tues PM Omnia
Thurs PM Hak (unless you can recommend an EDM friendly alternative).

Mon & weds play by ear.

It's a bit early for itineraries in my opinion, because we don't know the line ups of many of the venues yet. The headliner is somewhat important because certain talents draw certain types of crowds. Just in general terms, I would suggest you go to Omnia on a Saturday because it's by far the nicest venue and usually off the hook on Saturdays. Just my opinion as I'm sure others may feel differently.

[DeX]

Depends on your host and your relationship, really. But if you don't have a relationship, I find that if you throw out a big number, they'll factor in the chip-ins and give you a higher min. It makes NO difference for them whether it's 12 guys or 19 guys otherwise in 2 tables. Specially if you tip really well. This is not a "scam" or anything - just a general tip to keep the mins low.

And I appreciate that you'll give a good handshake - but keep in mind that your min is usually agreed upon prior to meeting him. Unless you specify the handshake with him beforehand. That works too.

Yep this is all correct, hence why i said multiple tables

[kp3205]

Had 14 for mine and the plan looks great but there are going to be many factors that will come into play once you land. First off, be honest with your host as they are always willing to accommodate as long as it is reasonable.

Since you are coming from the UK and if you are beer drinkers, I am a huge fan of the Pub in Monte Carlo. Very easy location, a ton of beer selections. I enjoyed Aces&Ales out by Nellis Air Force base also, about a 20 min cab ride each way. If you guys like Whiskey I highly recommend the Whisky Attic. Cosmo's Chandelier bars were solid for one night also. These kept the party going w/o going all out 24/7 the 7 days we were there.

I understand going big and such but the constant back to back days and nights will catch up with some that will change the group dynamic. My best man had a hell of a time organizing but the one thing he insisted and enforced and I highly recommend is that you get the $$$$$....cash.... once you land or before you fly over. That will enable you to truly plan what can be done.

We had to take into account some of the guys liked to gamble and would pass on a club or a pool because of it. Or some got wasted at the previous event, pool or club and decided to sit one out as the belief was enough are going to the next one so they won't be missed. Everyone says they're all in until they get there and suddenly the mindset will change.

IMHO since you are dealing with an 8 hour time difference when you land in LV maybe take Friday to acclimate and go more low key, bars and such to start the big games on Saturday at a pool.

Enjoy and congrats.

[tank77]

Empire / Dex / KP thanks fellas - appreciate the advice massively. I'm a vet of organising many many Europe based trips, but with this being Vegas the pressure is on to deliver a seamless trip as far as the table service goes. Came in 09 and as a group we got it wrong regarding tipping, agreeing locations etc.

I doubt the full crew will be on each day / night but certainly for the weekend they will be, i'll be getting $ upfront so if someone drops out it doesn't affect any agreements too much.

[Cirilo Medina]

Hey I'll be there the weekend before, with about 10-12 peeps!

[AusVIP]

Cirilo... what dates? I am going to be there 15-20 may

[empire55]

By the way, on a whole other subject - I would never organize my own bachelor party. At the very least, have one of your mates be the "fall guy" that pretends like he organized it. People tend to do the stupidest shit in Vegas and it's never good to have your name associated with those things, right before your wedding.

Create that layer of separation from yourself and the events that will transpire. Leave room for deniability. I know your wife is probably cool and all, but you never know what will happen in Vegas. Sometimes it's even completely out of your control yet some stories can not be shaken off of relationships. Just a bro-tip & reminder to cover your tracks.

[tank77]

Yeah I hear you mate, and it's a fair shout and I'll take the fall guy option! But if I didn't organise, we'd be going nowhere as I'm sort of the group organiser for everything we do!

What dates Cirilo?

[Cirilo Medina]

It's looking like 13-16th, me, the Ol Ball n Chain, and a few of our friends. The womenfolk are going to see Janet Jackson, my birthday (15th), and a homegirls bday too. We've done big group trips to Vegas before, so I'm sure Olympic Gardens will be on the agenda (the women wanna see "Carlos" the living legend), and probably tables at a club. We'll have to try to catch up and have a shot (or 3) sometime during all the madness!