Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: what clubs/cities structure the fees in a somewhat fair way?

  1. #1
    Member snowflakebaby's Avatar
    Joined
    Sep 2004
    Location
    bay area
    Posts
    45
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts

    Default what clubs/cities structure the fees in a somewhat fair way?

    I have worked at numerous clubs where the fees (percentage wise) were insane. I have also worked places where similarly the customer had to pay so much to the damn house to even get in the vip that vip's were a difficult sell.
    For instance, many clubs in s. florida are set up where the guy must spend an amount equal to or more to what he is paying to the girl. (200/half hour + 300 for a bottle). I prefer to pay a percentage (on your honor) of say 10-15% + tip out to house mom, dj, and hosts that give you extra help (or a similar system). The worst places have low earning potential in comparison to house fees and/or $5/dance fees + house fees + tip out the vip "hosts" fees. You work your tail off to bring home less than half in these clubs. I also hate clubs that require bottles for half and hourly vip's. Those are really annoying. The house can ask for its fair share ($50 or a drink minimum in vip room) but no guy should have to spend $300+ on a stupid bottle for a half hour vip. So my question is : Who has words/thoughts on clubs that are fair and/or clubs that are unfair? (The best and worst of the biz)

    So far I think Scarletts (required to tip everyone in the building pretty much + pay per dance + sell stupid two for 1's 8 times per night + the guys have to buy a bottle to get in vip...this place takes way too much IMO), Solid Gold (host expect a big tip, girls only get $300/hr and customer has to buy into the vip rooms, and Spearmint Rhino Ft. Lauderdale (large house fees compared to earning potential + $5/dance fees and you have to do 2for1 all the time+ table dances are cheap ($10) .....imagine having to do 2 dances for $15) are the worst (of 25+ clubs I've worked in Vegas and S. Florida mostly)
    The best so far are Spearmint Rhino vegas(large earning potential compared to house fee, no bottle requirement for vip, table dances $20 not $10) and Crazy horse (same thing except instead of a flat house fee you pay 15% on your honor)
    A gorgeous hotel alternative in Vegas for dancers only!
    www.likeahomelasvegas.com

  2. #2
    242_fair
    Guest

    Default Re: what clubs/cities structure the fees in a somewhat fair way?

    It depends on what you think 'fair' means. I try to focus on what I can come home with at the end of the night.

    Some examples from clubs I've worked at:
    (all figures US$)

    Club #1 (in San Francisco):
    VIP room costed $500 for my time + a bottle (or tip the host $100+) to get the private room. I had to tip out 45%, so my net was $265/hr, and the customer actually paid $700 total for the hour all in all.

    House fee here was $80+, and tip the 'frill' workers: valet, house mom, makeup lady. Plus I had to tip the DJ $50 to keep me off stage so I could work the floor.

    This club reported every dime I made to the IRS so my after-tax net was more like $190/hr.

    Club #2 (in Toronto):
    VIP costs customer $240 for my time + $50 for the VIP room for an hour (you don't have to get a bottle). I tip out 10% (should be 20% on my honor but I cheat, bouncers hate me, haha), so I net $220, and the customer actually paid about $300 in total for the hour in all.

    House fee here is $40, this includes the dj's $5 to keep me off stage!

    This club does not record my nightly earnings and it's up to me to report for my taxes. I can get away with declaring around 30% of my total income, therefor my after tax net is around $200.per hr.

    So, which is better? The expensive club where I charge $500/hr, of the cheap club where I charge $240??

    Naturally, you would initially think that club #1 would me best, since my time cost the guy $500/hr. But $700 total for an hour is a hard sell, any my net was only $265! Wheras at club #2, the cost to the customer in total is only $300 for the hour, and I walk out with $220/hr.

    $220/hr does not sound like much but a) it's common to sell 3 or 4 hours per night since the cost is so low to the customer, b) customer stays multiple hours since the price is right, and c) people are more inclined to tip since the actual price is so low, and customers often toss me $100 extra as a tip (with some encouragment from my waitress buddies).

    When I'm working in a club that I feel is gouging the customer on fees and drinks minimums and cover charges and creditcard addons, I don't believe in the product I'm selling and it shows.

    At the end of the day, I am more likely to come home with $1000+ by working at the cheaper club, and that sounds fair to me ;-)
    Last edited by 242_fair; 05-07-2005 at 10:51 PM.

  3. #3
    Featured Member Lizette's Avatar
    Joined
    Oct 2004
    Location
    state and main
    Posts
    1,071
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 39 Times in 19 Posts

    Default Re: what clubs/cities structure the fees in a somewhat fair way?

    I like my club's system:

    10% to the DJ
    5% to the bar (I have no idea where this goes. The bartender?)
    $10 house fee

    I tip the bouncers and doormen because they earn $6/hour which is slave labor. I would feel bitter to see women get naked and get paid while I struggled to make ends meet with an unliveable wage.

  4. #4
    God/dess
    Joined
    Sep 2002
    Posts
    8,031
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 143 Times in 42 Posts

    Default Re: what clubs/cities structure the fees in a somewhat fair way?

    Most Texas clubs have a flat house fee that maxes out around $50, then tips to employees, with no house cut from dances. However, many clubs don't have hourly VIP/champagne rooms there. The ones that do generally take a reasonable cut. But in Austin, there isn't one single club where you can sell a room. So that will affect your bottom line in the long run if you're adept at selling them. However, if you prefer to hustle dances on the floor you will come out ahead since even on a great night it's hard to be obligated for more than $100; your personal generosity dictates what you'll tip to your DJ, floorguys, bar, and management.

  5. #5
    Featured Member Amethyst's Avatar
    Joined
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    795
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 14 Times in 7 Posts

    Default Re: what clubs/cities structure the fees in a somewhat fair way?

    As far as I know, Texas does not play by the mandatory percentage rule (thank God, b/c everyone would be mad at my stingy ass). Typically, you pay your tip out and give as much tip as you'd like. Something interesting I'm starting to hear about is tipping managers - WTF??


  6. #6
    God/dess
    Joined
    Sep 2002
    Posts
    8,031
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 143 Times in 42 Posts

    Default Re: what clubs/cities structure the fees in a somewhat fair way?

    Some clubs won't allow you to tip the manager, but in most clubs in Austin you're expected to. I think it's kind of bs. I can see tipping a shift manager who maybe doesn't get paid a lot, but a GM is usually compensated well and shouldn't take tips. This is one thing I like about the little crappy clubs up here in the Midwest; the managers will refuse a tip if you try to give it to them, leaving only the bar and DJ to get tipped (you know, the people who actually do things for you).

  7. #7
    Featured Member Crow's Avatar
    Joined
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Down South
    Posts
    1,145
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 10 Times in 8 Posts
    My Mood
    Happy

    Default Re: what clubs/cities structure the fees in a somewhat fair way?

    Yeah, Tipping managers is sort of the common norm here. I've had my manager get my cash from an ungrateful custy when he didn't want to pay the full price of my dance, plus some other things. So, Yes, I would tip him.

    Miss R.

  8. #8
    Featured Member Amethyst's Avatar
    Joined
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    795
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 14 Times in 7 Posts

    Default Re: what clubs/cities structure the fees in a somewhat fair way?

    Quote Originally Posted by Crow
    Yeah, Tipping managers is sort of the common norm here. I've had my manager get my cash from an ungrateful custy when he didn't want to pay the full price of my dance, plus some other things. So, Yes, I would tip him.

    Miss R.
    Completely agree with tipping in that situation, but I've been hearing of managers who don't do anything for you (other than what they're already getting paid to do) and will sit by the door with their hands out (a la pimp style) expecting a $5-10.

    Susan, I was working at YR for awhile and had no idea that's what the managers were standing out there for. It took a new dancer asking me how much I tip managers before I even realized that's why they were standing at the door. And here I thought they just wanted to say goodnight & make sure we all got to our cars safely..


  9. #9
    Banned Katrine's Avatar
    Joined
    Nov 2003
    Posts
    13,855
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: what clubs/cities structure the fees in a somewhat fair way?

    Ladies, don't forget. The "managers" in Texas clubs are just bouncers in suits with a fancy name. So they should definately be tipped. Our GM never gets tips, but he also doesn't do jack shit except sit around at his table and talk to regulars.....

    "Have you ever been to American wedding? Where is the vodka, where's marinated herring?" - GB
    "And do the cats give a shit? No, they do not. Why? Because they're cats."-from The Onion

    Quote Originally Posted by Mia M
    If a cupcake was tossed at me... well, I'd only be upset if it missed my mouth

  10. #10
    Veteran Member Lovespell's Avatar
    Joined
    Apr 2005
    Posts
    248
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post

    Default Re: what clubs/cities structure the fees in a somewhat fair way?

    Our managers are like that. They don't do crap for us, hassle us, most are sleazy, and we are expected to tip them. But I'm not working at that club much longer. Minneapolis isn't that great, they take a huge percentage of your earnings.

    The new club I'm working at charges a 70-100 house fee, paid up front and that is it. You tip as you feel fit. They don't take a percentage of your dances. You keep what you earn.

Similar Threads

  1. Re: ? for dancers do you think stage fees are fair
    By Melonie in forum Stripping (was Stripping General)
    Replies: 28
    Last Post: 05-05-2006, 01:35 PM
  2. Replies: 32
    Last Post: 12-23-2005, 09:26 AM
  3. which clubs and cities have the most extras?
    By chair in forum Club Chat
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 11-14-2003, 12:33 AM
  4. Twin Cities clubs
    By SuzyRea in forum Club Chat
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 12-26-2002, 06:37 PM
  5. Quad Cities Clubs
    By Kate in forum Club Chat
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 12-09-2002, 07:37 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •