VIP bottle service - tipping the doorman?

[bachelor]

We go to Vegas every year during March Madness and and like to do VIP bottle service each year. We make table reservations through the club and have been told at each club something like "Your VIP table reservation gets you right to the front of the line and right in with no hassle." Well, every single year, we get to the club at 10:00 or 10:30, have to stand in a mob of people, fighting our way through the crowd until we get to the area where the hosts with clipboards are running up and down the line. Then, when we finally get the attention of the host, he checks we are on the list, but then walks away to check others on the list!!! We have to repeatedly try to get the attention of him/or another host and finally end up giving one $50 just to get in to sit at the reserved table (no, we are not idiots, we all dress well and are reasonably attractive).

Is there an easier way to do this (one would think paying $400 per bottle is enough)? Is every doorman looking for a handout? We have been VIP to Tryst, Light, Ice, and Rain. Is my experience described above typical treatment for out-of-towners going to popular clubs? Any input is appreciated.

[greenie]

First off, getting in faster is one of those little perks of working with a reliable VIP host that works external to the club. The best ones will arrive at the club before you and make sure the wheels are put in motion; they're recognized immediately by the staff, including the senior host, who understand that they're bringing in clients and thus want to get their party past the rope and through the door as fast as possible.

That said, to a large extent this is just part and parcel of having a table. Except for the ultra-ultra-VIPs, pretty much everyone has to do exactly what you describe. Ultimately it comes down to numbers; you simply can't get 10 tables all sat within 5-10 minutes of each other, so somebody's got to wait. For what it's worth, even people that have a weekly table often spend 5-10 minutes out front.

Most of what happens here is done because the club and hosts want to make sure that once you are led through the rope, not only are there no delays on the way to your table but that every first impression you have -- being led through the club, laying your eyes on your table -- is spectacular.

To make this happen, here's a small list of what happens at the door when a table party arrives. Some clubs will bring your whole party inside the rope, but not much farther, once you get 2-3 steps into the process.

1. Person with clipboard (or another host) marks you down, then radios your specific host. Who may be in the process of seating another party.

2. Your host greets you, confirms that your entire party is right behind you, everyone has IDs, and are ready to be walked in.

3. Your host needs to get your party "checked in" with the senior host. This often involves the senior host to sign off on whatever bottle agreement you made and/or the senior host marking down (or providing a voucher) the number of people in your party. Many clubs need to do this to keep track of the total number of table comps that get through the door each night.

4. Once your host has you entirely checked in, they get on the radio to make sure your table has been set up and is ready to be sat. Every club does different things to prepare the table, but it may involves minor re-arrangements to furnitire, moving the velvet rope, clearing out a few squatters, or simply the host making a final-final check for themselves that the table area is as perfect as can be.

5. Finally, if there are already 2 or more tables that are in the process of being walked in, IDs checked, etc, your host will often wait for them to be finished, especially because they don't want table groups getting mixed up on the way in.

The best hosts are those that manage their parts of the process well enough to speed you through. For example, a good host won't ask 5 of his tables to all show up at exactly the same time. It's also worth mentioning that there is often a bit of host seniority involved; if your host is brand new to the club, it will likely take longer for you to be sat.

Tipping in advance won't necessarily speed this process up, and I personally don't recommend it. After all, you're already giving the host a good tip (right?) once you're seated and settled in properly at a good table.

The best thing for you to do is be a good table customer. Keep in touch with your host after you make the reservation, and if you want to streamline the process of getting in then ask them in advance for the best time to arrive or what you can do to make sure your group is all set (e.g. have everyone get their IDs out ahead of time).

Finally, keep in mind that the front of the club is always going to be sheer chaos. Every single one of the hosts and door staff are having a dozen questions asked of them every minute, having their names called out by people they don't know, all while keeping an ear to the radio and trying to take care of everyone in the most professional manner possible.

Everything related to receiving good service is a reciprocal relationship between club and clubgoer, whether you're doing up a 10-bottle table or you're just trying to get through the door.

[leftymo]

Greenie, that was the most informative and articulate message I've ever read on club planet.

Major props and thank you for that information.

[bachelor]

I second that. Thank you for the response.

[greenie]

Glad to help! The more knowledgeable the clubber, the better the club...

[epope]

That's My BOY!! Greenie...Almost sounds like getting into Jet...Is that what you were thinking!! lololol...

[lvnvnightlife]

If you have a reservation you shouldn't have to wait more than 5 minutes, in a perfect world. Hopefully the clubs can do a better job at this in the future. On the other hand if you are a doorman, people are throwing cash at you all night.