I'm very excited here in Portland at the Dolphin II because they seem to be in the process of creating a "real" VIP room for us -- something that doesn't really exist in Portland yet. It is my devout hope that they'll give us the opportunity to have hourly rates/higher dance prices in there in order to make us more money rather than just using it as a hangout for good customers with no monetary benefit to the dancers like the "VIP" areas in Austin . . .
So I am curious to hear the input of dancers and customers alike about what you think good VIP policies are. Here are some of my thoughts:
-- a (relatively) low entry price to get them back there in the first place -- ie, instead of automatically charging, say, a $100 fee for the club plus the dancer's rates, something like what the CH2 in Philly does, where you can get back there for a $20 drink minimum plus the 3-for-$100 dances
-- separate areas for those who are hanging out and those who are buying dances. If you're a club VIP, you have a seating area to hang out and drink, but this isn't in the couch dance area
-- the opportunity to buy by the dance or by time. Our regular dance price is $20/song; perhaps back there it could be $30. In addition we could break it down by the half hour and hour.
It is a much nicer area than the main couch dance part of the club and it will have its own bar. I think it'll be really nice to have but I want good policies in place and dammit, I'm giving my input if they want it or not. Another thing I hope they bear in mind is that we are in Portland, OR, not Vegas or NY and we can't charge the same prices here. However, we can charge enough to make it worthwhile for us to sell it. Without a doubt.
Oh, also, do you find it's easier to sell when the guy pays a room fee and then you, or when he has a flat rate and the club takes a cut of the total?



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I have always disliked the way so many clubs try to gouge their good spenders. Uh, duh! if you give them a little break for being good customers, they will appreciate and be more likely to spend more.

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