Bars & Breweries

What is Bottle Service?

Last updated on Jan 28, 2019
Michale LeRoy

Bottle service is a VIP experience that allows patrons to reserve a table and purchase bottles of alcohol for their group. Instead of waiting in line at the bar or constantly flagging down a server, bottle service provides a more exclusive and convenient way to enjoy a night out. By using bottle service, customers are essentially showing off their purchasing power and social standing, using it as a way to elevate their night out and be treated like a VIP. As a bar or nightclub owner, it’s important to capitalize on bar trends like bottle service to continually provide new and unique experiences to customers.

Use these links to learn more about the different aspects of club bottle service:

How to Start Bottle Service

Offering bottle service at your lounge or nightclub is an easy way to increase your profits. Guests are willing to pay a large fee in order to secure a seating area, which can be hard to come by in a crowded club. You’ll require two things to get bottle service started, seating areas and a bottle service staff.

Seating Areas

Night club seating with red velvet upholstery and mood lighting

The more inviting your seating areas are, the more likely you are to sell your bottle service. The idea is to create a space where guests feel like they are receiving preferred treatment. Check out some of these techniques to make your space attractive yet private.

  • Luxurious Upholstery - Use different upholstery in your private seating area than the rest of your club. Try bold, bright colors that attract attention and fabrics that are luxurious to touch.
  • Private Cabanas - Cabanas are the perfect way to create an illusion of privacy at a crowded pool bar.
  • Ropes and Stanchions - Sectioning off your space with ropes is an easy way to elevate its appeal and keep out nonpaying guests. Not only functional, ropes are iconic for representing exclusivity.
  • Install a Dais Platform - Raising the floor level with a dais gives your bottle service guests a great vantage point for checking out the action in the club. It also gives the rest of the club-goers a great view of your reserved seating so they may decide to reserve a table on their next visit.

Bottle Servers

Instead of pulling servers from your regular bar staff, take the time to train servers specifically for bottle service. Their primary task is to provide bottles of liquor, along with glasses and mixers, but they should also have a knack for hospitality. Experienced bottle servers know how to upsell throughout the evening and can increase your profits even more. It's also important to train your bottle servers to recognize the signs of intoxication so they can serve your guests responsibly.

Bottle Service Marketing

Red velvet ropes and gold stanchions

Now that you have your bottle service in place, how do you get people to buy it? It's important to market your bottle service so that your guests know it's available. Highlighting your services on your website and flyers is essential, but there are also some other tricks to getting your bottle service noticed.

Bottle Service Packages

You can attract attention by offering special bottle service packages for large groups like bachelor parties, bachelorette parties, and birthdays. Guests like to splurge when they celebrate these events so it's a perfect time to introduce your bottle service.

Special Events

Make sure to mention your bottle service when you promote DJ nights or band nights. Guests are more likely to purchase the service on these nights so they have a reserved seat. By placing your seating area closer to the stage or DJ booth, you can make the service even more enticing.

Offer Comps

Show appreciation for your regular bottle service guests by offering comps, or free bottles, when they purchase a set number of bottles. The cost to you is outweighed by the high markup on each bottle and the gesture helps to build customer loyalty.

VIP Treatment

Treat your bottle service guests with a higher level of hospitality than your regular guests. Allow them to skip the line, escort them to their table, and make them feel important. Anytime a guest in your club purchases bottle service, ring a bell or have the DJ play a certain song to bring attention to the transaction.

Bottle Service Benefits

For your customers, bottle service provides a reserved space where they can enjoy your nightclub without needing to fight the crowds or stand in line at the bar. But for club owners, there are other benefits.

High Markup

Depending on the location of your business, bottle service prices can be anywhere from $300 for a small club and up to $7,500 for a well-known club in a big city. You set the standard price for each bottle of liquor and you can also require that a minimum number of bottles are purchased. The markup for each bottle is extremely high, over a hundred times the cost in some cases.

Woman and a man laughing and drinking together

Guests Mix Their Own Drinks

Bottle service has an added bonus of freeing up your bartenders and cocktail servers because guests mix their own drinks. The bottle server provides the liquor, glassware, and mixers, but the guests serve themselves.

Personalized Customer Experience

One of the main advantages of bottle service is the personalized attention and service that comes with it. When customers book bottle service, they are assigned a dedicated server who will take care of all their needs throughout the night. From pouring drinks to replenishing mixers, bottle service servers ensure groups have a seamless and enjoyable experience.

Reach New Markets

By offering bottle service, you not only increase your profit margins but also create a sense of exclusivity and status for your establishment. This can attract a whole new clientele and help you establish your venue as a destination for A-list guests.

Bottle Service Considerations

Closeup of the back of a security guard's uniform that reads

You can get bottle service started relatively quickly and easily, but there are a few things to take into account that will make the process more successful.

Reservations

Bottle service is typically booked in advance through a reservation management system. Installing a reservation system ensures that your reservations are organized and never double booked.

Pricing

Pricing varies greatly depending on your location and the popularity of your club. To set your pricing, look at the bottle service offered by other clubs in your area so that you can stay competitive. You can list your pricing on your website, or you can choose to reveal pricing when your customers call to book the service so that you can make adjustments based on availability and popular dates.

Security Measures

Because bottle service guests are serving themselves, it's a smart choice to install security personnel to look for signs of intoxication and put a stop to any rowdy behavior. Security has the added benefit of making your bottle service guests feel safe and protected.

Appearance and Aesthetic

Creating an upscale and inviting atmosphere is essential to attract guests who are seeking a premium experience. Consider adding trendy designs and decorative accents like fresh flowers, candles, or even custom bottle displays to add a touch of glamor to each table. By paying attention to every detail and creating an atmosphere that exudes elegance, you'll leave a lasting impression on your guests and keep them coming back for more.

Bottle Service FAQ

Below we answer some of the most common questions regarding bottle service:

How Much Is Bottle Service?

The price of bottle service can vary depending on the venue, the type of alcohol the customers choose, and the size of the group. It's not uncommon for bottle service packages to start at a few hundred dollars and go up from there. It's definitely a splurge, but for many, it's worth the investment for a memorable night out.

Closeup of a bottle of champagne in an ice bucket

How Many Bottles Do You Get with Bottle Service?

The number of bottles you receive can vary depending on the venue, the size of your group, and the type of alcohol you choose. Some venues offer bottle packages that include a variety of different liquors, allowing customers to sample a range of flavors throughout the night. Other venues may have a minimum bottle requirement, meaning customers need to purchase a certain number of bottles to secure a bottle service reservation.

Bottle Service vs Table Service

While bottle service is a premium service offered at nightclubs and upscale venues, table service is a more traditional approach to dining and drinking. It typically involves reserving a table at a restaurant or bar and ordering food and drinks from a menu. Table service is often preferred by those who want a more relaxed and casual atmosphere, where they can enjoy a meal or have a conversation without the loud music and crowded dance floors

Bottle service is not just a luxury reserved for high-end clubs and fancy parties. It can be a game-changer for any establishment looking to elevate their customer experience and increase revenue. By offering bottle service, you provide your customers with a personalized and exclusive experience that they won't soon forget, leaving them coming back for more.

The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. Please refer to our Content Policy for more details.
External Link

You are about to leave the security of WebstaurantStore.com.

We are not responsible for the privacy policy or any content, links or software, or any consequences from your access to or use of the technologies, websites, information and programs made available on this new site.

Do you want to proceed?

Related Resources

  • How to Set Drink Prices In Your Bar or Restaurant

    Setting bar drink prices can be a challenging part of managing a bar. Customers may be deterred by overly high prices, but the business will struggle to thrive if prices are too low. Factors such as rent and overhead costs need to be factored in when determining pricing, along with industry standards that can guide you in setting the right prices for your establishment. Use our guide to calculate drink prices at your bar to encourage purchases and maintain a steady profit. How to Price Cocktails Pricing cocktails and other drinks requires a few simple equations. When considering how many different types and brands of liquors are used, follow these steps to help you estimate the price of the drinks at your establishment. Liquor cost calculation: Bottle Price / Ounces in Bottle = Liquor Cost per Ounce Pour and beverage cost calculation: Cost to Make the Drink / Price You Sell It for = Pour Cost. Industry-standard pour costs range between 20% to 25%, but adjust the percentage to match your business. Drink price calculation: Liquor Cost / Pour Cost in Decimals = Drink Price Add garnish prices: Some bars calculate the cost of each ingredient and price them accordingly, while others set a flat rate and add it to the cocktail price. Calculate shrinkage variance: Most bars will add an additional fee of approximately 20% to cover the cost of lost products due to expiration or damage. Round total price to the nearest quarter: To make the calculated price more visually appealing, round to the nearest quarter to create a cleaner drink menu. Evaluate and adjust: The prices you come to may not always be the most cost-effective price for your demographic. You can use a profit and loss statement to make adjustments and track the impact it has on your clientele to find the best menu pricing for your establishment to be profitable. Drink Cost Calculation Example We walk through the pricing breakdown of a basic drink to provide a visual of the calculation above. In this example, a 25-ounce liquor bottle costs $22. Liquor cost: $22 purchase cost / 25 oz. per bottle = $0.88 per ounce Pour cost: We’ll use 20%, or 0.2, as a standard. Drink cost: $0.88 liquor cost / .2 pour cost = $4.40 Garnish cost: We’ll use a flat rate of $0.50. Therefore, $4.40 + $0.50 = $4.90 Shrinkage cost: We use the shrinkage rate of 20%, or 0.2. Therefore, $4.90 drink total x .2 shrinkage = $0.98 shrinkage cost. Final calculation: $4.90 drink total + $0.98 shrinkage cost = $5.88 new drink total Round to the quarter: The final drink price is $6.00. Drink Pricing Tips Experienced professionals use several tricks to help them accurately determine drink prices, specifically regarding recipe and pour costs. While most locations will set the pour cost at 20% to 25%, others will use 22% for wine, 20% for beer, and 14% for liquor. You can adjust the percentage to what works best for your establishment. Since most drinks do not consist of just one type of liquor or ingredient, price out your ingredients the same way you calculated the liquor cost and add them all together. Multiply the liquor cost according to how many ounces of that particular liquor you used in the cocktail. Then, use that recipe total instead of the liquor cost during the drink cost step. How to Price Liquor Liquor pricing is determined by a four-tier organizational system that allows you to adjust your pour cost according to the liquor quality. Organizing your bottle brands into these four categories can provide a quick reference system when setting drink prices. Well: These brands earn their name because they sit in the well behind the bar. Well drinks are made with the cheapest liquors in your establishment and traditionally mixed with multiple liquors and drink mixes. They will have the highest pour cost, set at approximately 30%. Call: These brands are the most popular in your establishment and are usually located directly behind the bartender. Customers can generally call them by name when asking for a drink. They will have a pour cost set at approximately 25%. Premium: These brands will usually be located on the lowest shelf behind the bar and will be the highest quality certain brands have to offer. They will have a pour cost set at approximately 20%. Super-premium: These brands are considered top-shelf bottles and will be the liquors with the highest quality in your establishment. They are generally liquors that have been aged and distilled. They will have the lowest pour cost, set at approximately 15%. Creating Standard Recipes Establishing standard recipes for each drink is important to ensure consistency and quality. If each bartender makes cocktails differently, your customers receive different types of margaritas and your effort to price the beverage is essentially useless. When standardizing recipes it's also important to stress the necessity of avoiding over-pouring to your bartenders. Over-pouring costs bars thousands of dollars annually, but you can help prevent that by adding measured pourers behind the bar. Factors That Impact Drink Prices Drink prices are impacted by factors besides their ingredients, such as your location and competition. Demographic Setting drink prices goes beyond calculations. Consider your location’s demographic to set prices your customers will accept. Consider the age, gender, occupation, and income of the people in your surrounding neighborhood. If your bar is in a bustling city with higher rent rates, customers may accept and expect higher-priced drinks. However, if you’re in a rural town or near a college community where the population has lower available income, higher-priced drinks won’t sell very well. Evaluate how your customers respond to your drink prices by tracking your bar sales and adjusting your prices accordingly. Checking Out the Competition Knowing your competition's pricing and promotions is vital to your success. If your drinks are priced significantly higher than the bar around the corner, you might slowly lose business and see financial effects. Vice versa, bar drink prices that are too low won't cover the costs of staff, rent, and electricity. Many bars choose a technique in which they try to meet the prices of their competition or beat them if possible. However, not all bars are the same. If your bar or restaurant features an upscale ambiance, customers will expect your drinks to be the same price as the casual dining bar around the corner. Your atmosphere will also impact the discount of your happy hour drinks if you choose to have a happy hour. A sports bar serving a happy hour may see a 30% pour cost, while an upper-class martini bar keeps its beverage cost at 18%. Determining your pricing will be influenced by factors such as the cost of alcohol, market competition, target customer base, and desired profits. Proper calculation of drink prices is a cornerstone of your establishment's success. Strive to strike a balance and set reasonable prices for your food and drink menus to keep happy customers returning.

  • Bar Open and Closing Checklist

    Whether you already run a successful bar or you're opening a new business, a bar opening and closing checklist is one of the best ways to make sure your bar, nightclub, or pub is clean, organized, and ready for the next day. These bar checklists include the bar opening procedures and bartender closing duties that your staff needs to complete at the beginning of the day and before leaving each night, such as cleaning, restocking, storing, organizing, and locking up. We created a comprehensive bar opening checklist, along with a bar closing checklist that you can use to keep your bar organized and secure. Use the following buttons to download our printable PDFs: Printable Bar Opening Checklist PDF Printable Bar Closing Checklist PDF Learn more about each bar checklist step by clicking the links below: Do a Preliminary Building Check Polish and Sanitize Surfaces Take Inventory of Beverages Set Up the Room Prep and Refill the Condiment Bar Refill the Ice Bin Empty Out and Lock Up Count the Money Store Perishables Organize and Date Clean Everything Refill Disposables Bar Opening and Closing Video To learn how to keep your bar looking spotless with effective opening and closing procedures, check out the video below: <iframe scrolling="no" width="392" height="226" src="/v/?num=16470&amp;width=600&amp;height=500&amp;embed=1" frameborder="0"></iframe> Bar Opening Checklist Before you can open your doors each day, there are a few bar opening procedures your staff should follow before turning on the open sign. To ensure that you're ready for customers, follow these six steps for opening a bar for the day: 1. Do a Preliminary Building Check When your staff first arrives, they should do a quick scan of the property inside and out to make sure everything looks in order. Clear any debris the might have collected overnight outside your building, on the sidewalks, in the doorways, or on the windows Once inside, check for odors, trash, spills, or items out of place Decide if the floors need to be vacuumed Empty and reset pest traps 2. Polish and Sanitize Surfaces To make a good impression on your customers, you'll want to make sure your bar is sparkling clean, from the counters to the glasses. Wipe down countertops with a sanitizing solution Wipe down stool seats and tabletops to clear away any dust that may have collected overnight Polish the glassware that was air drying from the previous night Polish any silverware you plan to use during the day, including barware Dust any alcohol bottles on display Clean faucets and taps with sanitizer 3. Take Inventory of Beverages Once you make sure everything in your bar looks in order and presentable, it's time to ensure that your beverage stock is ready for day's service. Count your bottle inventory to ensure nothing was stolen overnight Check the levels of your wine, liquor, and mixer bottles; take note of what stock needs to be ordered Stock your back bar cooler Check your keg levels; take note of which ones may 'kick' next and prepare a backup to replace during the shift Test the taps and clear the drain lines by pouring out a little beer from each keg 4. Set Up the Room After you've completed your inventory check, set up your space so it is ready to host customers. Set up the tables and chairs Set up your service bartending supplies you'll need for your shift Set out clean bar towels Prepare the cash drawer for service Roll the flatware into clean napkins 5. Prep and Refill the Condiment Bar With your station set up, it's time to prep your condiments and garnishes for the drinks on your menu. Wash and cut the fruit for the day Refill bar garnishes, including rimming salt and sugar, olives, and cherries Squeeze fresh citrus juice to pair with drinks 6. Refill the Ice Bin Ice is considered food in the foodservice industry, so your ice must be as fresh as your other drink ingredients. Empty out the underbar ice bin Melt any ice build-up with hot water Wipe out the bin Stock the bin with fresh ice Bar Closing Checklist There are six bar closing procedures your bar employees need to complete to close your bar at the end of the day. These steps can be carried out in different orders, depending on your flow, but we'd suggest leaving cleaning and mopping the floors for the end to prevent your employees from making any potential additional messes while closing. 1. Empty Out and Lock Up For the first step of your bar closing checklist, check your restaurant for any remaining customers. Locking up should be the first step because you want to make sure everyone is out before you start cleaning and counting the money. Ensuring every patron is out of the bar at the end of the night keeps your customers safe and protects your staff and business. Ensure the dining area is clear of customers Check the restrooms for any lingering guests Check that the kitchen is empty Check accessible closets to ensure no one is hidden in them Lock up patio furniture Lock the entrances; set any alarms before leaving for the night Turn off televisions, radios, LED signs, and additional lights 2. Count the Money Once you've locked up, you can begin counting the money and cleaning up for the night. Along with counting the money, you'll also need to distribute the night's tips. You should have an established tipping system, such as working on an individual basis, daily pools, or other ideas that distribute the money fairly. Distributing tip pool Balancing cash registers Securing money in safes 3. Store Perishables Storing and refrigerating perishables is an important way to save money at your bar. Every drink or ingredient that you save overnight is money going toward profits. Store fruits and garnishes in plastic bags or containers to prolong their freshness Refrigerate any pre-made mixed drinks such as sangria or punch Refrigerate cocktail ingredients such as soda and juice Lock up expensive beers and liquor bottles Put bar snacks back in the pantry 4. Organize and Date Organizing your bar and kitchen is an important task, and it ensures that opening will run smoothly on the following day. Additionally, dating your food and alcohol lets you know when it was opened and if it's still good to use. Practicing proper dating and organization is essential for passing health inspections.. Date newly opened bottles of wine and liquor Clean menus and recycle old ones Label all of the fresh ingredient containers 5. Clean Everything Cleanliness is one of the prime indicators of a professional and well-managed bar space, and whether it's dust on the shelf, rings on the countertop, or a napkin that didn't make it to the trash, unclean appearances can speak volumes about your business, particularly to health inspectors. Cleaning is probably the most labor-intensive part of the closing checklist, but if your staff all works together, it can go quickly. Here is a short list of important cleaning tasks that need to be completed every night: Wipe down countertops Wipe down the soda gun Clean out soda gun holsters Remove clogs from floor drains Wipe down your speed rails Clean the outside of liquor bottles if any product has spilled Load the dishwasher and clean glassware with bar glass cleaners Drain off dirty dishwater and scrub down your sink Wash other smallwares like muddlers, jiggers, and stirrers Wipe down beer taps and thoroughly clean them once a month Sweep the floors in the front- and back-of-house, then mop Clean out blenders Clean the bathrooms thoroughly Leave all of your glassware, smallwares, and equipment out to air dry, ensuring they're clean for the following day 6. Refill Disposables Refilling disposables behind the bar can help save time when opening the following day and keep your bartenders quick on the draw during service. Any single-use product should be stocked for the next day, no matter how inconsequential it may seem. Here is a list of a few bar disposables that need to be refilled every day: Toothpicks Drink Umbrellas Stirrers Straws Napkins A bar opening and closing checklist is imperative to maintaining the sanitation, organization, and streamlined operation of your business. Having written bar opening duties ensures your staff has constant access to the established protocol while a bar closing duties list can make closing up go smoothly every time. Whether you're training new hires or providing a refresher for seasoned veterans, bar checklists are great tools for making your bar more efficient.

  • Bartending School Vs. Experience

    For any bar owner, the difference between success and failure often depends on the skill of their bartenders. Having well-trained, professional bartenders on your staff is essential for any kind of establishment from your local dive bar to an upscale lounge. But when it comes to experienced professionals, what’s the best way to become a great bartender? Read on to learn the pros and cons of bartending school versus bartending experience. Bartending School Generally speaking, most bar managers won’t hire a bartender straight out of school. But, having a certificate from a reputable institution shows that you’re serious about this career, and it can prove that you have a basic understanding of mixology. You will most likely still be starting out as a busser or barback, but the education you’ve received could help you move up the ladder quicker than if you came into the position with no background knowledge. Below are some important pros and cons to consider when deciding if bartending school is right for you. Pros of Attending Bartending School Some bartenders and bar owners look down upon bartending schools. However, there are benefits to hiring a new bartender who has not yet developed bad bar habits, including overpouring, failing to upsell, and fixating on tips. There are several other advantages bartending school offers: Provides guidance for someone who doesn’t know where to begin Gives students hands-on practice in a no-pressure environment Builds confidence for those new to the restaurant industry Offers resume help or interview practice Creates networking opportunities Often offers job placement programs for successful graduates Cons of Attending Bartending School The main risk with attending bartending school is having a potential employer look down on you and your certificate. Below are a few cons to consider before attending bartending school: Employers could see you as someone who isn’t willing to start at the bottom and work your way up You’re not guaranteed a job at the end of the course (even if a school claims so) Unless you keep practicing or land a job right away, any recipes or techniques you learned can quickly be forgotten It can be a large upfront expense How Much Does Bartending School Cost? Bartending school can cost anywhere from $200 to $600 for an in-person 40-hour course. Online courses often cost less, but they won’t provide you with the hands-on learning that’s needed to build your dexterity and gain experience. For comparison, bartenders will average anywhere from $100 to $200 a night in tips with an average wage of $10 an hour. Bartending Experience In most states, there is no certificate or schooling required to become a bartender. And if you survey the bartenders at your local watering hole, chances are most haven’t attended bartending school. That’s because many bartenders find that experience behind the bar is the most effective way to learn. Lee Bonds is a bartender at Art and Soul Restaurant in Washington D.C. Bonds, who has a culinary background and no bartender license, said, "It isn't necessary to go to bartending school or classes to become a bartender at an upscale restaurant or in the industry in general." He added, "Most bartenders start off working in a restaurant and work their way up to bartender learning the tricks of the trade along the way." Pros of Bartending Experience Working from the ground up to gain expertise through work experiences has several advantages: You are essentially paid to learn rather than spending money on tuition The knowledge gained is more tailored toward your specific place of business More time is spent working in the restaurant industry Connections and relationships are formed with management and staff Management often favors those who choose experience over schooling Cons of Bartending Experience While gaining experience by working your way up the ladder works for some, there are a few disadvantages to consider: It may take longer to become a bartender without the schooling Being thrown into the restaurant industry with no experience or expectations can be overwhelming You’re starting from scratch with no additional guidance on resumes, interviews, or job placement How to Become a Bartender with No Experience Rather than attending bartending school, most of today’s successful bartenders started out in other areas of the restaurant. They were hired as bussers, barbacks, or runners with the hopes of gaining industry knowledge and working their way to the top. It’s through experience they were able to learn the basics of customer service, how to create a safe and equitable environment, and get an understanding of the fast-paced style of the restaurant industry. Here are a few tips to becoming a bartender with no experience: Memorize classic cocktails and shots such as Manhattans, martinis, and Long Island Iced Teas Learn common terminology like muddling, neat, on the rocks, and other bar lingo Begin as a barback so you can observe how the bartenders move and work Invest in tools at home to practice pouring, mixing, shaking, and stirring on your own time Bartending is a very hands-on craft that can only be perfected through years of experience. Whether you choose to begin your journey with an educational course or decide to jump right behind the bar, it’ll take time, patience, and a commitment to the craft. A combination of bartender education and on-the-job experience and training are both crucial to becoming a great bartender. For those that have the skill and determination, it can be a rewarding and lucrative career.