Bottle service

Bottle service is the sale of liquor by the bottle in lounges and nightclubs.

The purchase of bottle service typically includes a reserved table for the patron's party and mixers of the patron's choice. Bottle service can include the service of a VIP host, who will ensure that patrons have sufficient mixers and will often make drinks using the patrons' liquor bottle and mixers. The purchase of bottle service sometimes results in cover charge being waived for the purchaser's party, and often allows patrons to bypass entrance lines. The tip is also often included in the price.^{[citation needed]}

The cost of a bottle at such a lounge or club is usually extremely marked up—often by 2000% or more—and can account for a significant portion of an establishment's revenue.^[1]

History

Early forms of bottle service existed in World War II era Japan,^[2] where unfinished bottles would be stored. In its modern form, an early example was in 1988 at the Paris nightclub Les Bains Douches, bottle service was introduced to deal with an excess of customer demand.^[2] An early, inexpensive form of bottle service ($90, compared with $6 drinks) was established at the Tunnel in 1993 (by Jeffrey Jah and Mark Baker). The modern form of bottle service was pioneered in 1995 by Michael Ault at Spy Bar and in 1996, Chaos ($175 for a bottle of Stolichnaya vodka),^[2] with the express goal of creating a "barrier to entry", rather than of increasing liquor sales.^[1]

The concept later spread to other American cities, notably Miami and Las Vegas in the early 2000s.

Bottle Service and Technology

By 2012, bottle service was present in many urban clubs and lounges throughout the world. However, the channels of distribution through which tables were sold for bottle service had not changed since the very beginning. To book a table, a client needed to contact the venue directly, or contact a promoter. In 2013, the nightlife industry and bottle service booking process changed as it adopted technology. Venues began to track their VIP clients using venue management software, and drive table bookings through internal sales. Additionally, the first mobile App to book bottle service was developed by Tablelist. Many table bookers prefer to use mobile apps to avoid the hassle of contacting venues and promoters.

Criticism

The cost of bottle service and the central position provided to purchasers of bottle service has led some critics to complain that bottle service is turning night clubs into elitist dens.^[3] Preferential treatment for purchasers of bottle service may include stopping the regular dance music when an especially expensive bottle is purchased and, instead, playing a theme song.^[3]

See also

• Conspicuous consumption

References