Getting Into A Hot Spot
What is the typical process for getting into a hot spot?
Generally, doormen look for beautiful people to bring inside their venue. I really suggest not bothering them a lot, especially if you are a male because they will get very annoyed at you and tell you to go to the back of the line or go away. You will probably anger them. If you are a male, I would really be very calm and be prepared to wait or be prepared to take out your wallet and show them Benjamin Franklin, because that is probably your only choice if you don't know anyone.
Who decides who gets into a hot spot?
Normally the bouncer or the doorman will be there just for the security - protection's sake - more of the muscle. The person with the list, whether it be the promoter or the promoter's assistant is usually the people that are opening up the ropes and letting you in. Those are the people who either have to know you personally or you're on the list.
How do doormen and promoters choose who to let into a hot spot?
If you're dressed really cute and if you look good, the promoter will probably pull you faster to the front of the line. If you're a girl and you look good, you will generally be let in before any guy, because they always want their female ratio higher than the male ratio. In LA, it's pretty good. Usually you get a ratio of probably three to one here of beautiful women.
Why do doormen keep people outside of a bar or club, even when it's not full?
They want some company outside to talk to. No, I'm kidding. Usually doormen will keep people outside to make it seem like the club is really, really good. They always want to keep a crowd outside so it looks hot. If you drive by a club and you were wondering if it's good, I generally look to see if there's people waiting. Because that means it's good.
What is the one thing I could do that would keep me from getting into a hot spot?
If you keep on annoying the bouncer or person with the list outside, there's a good chance you will never ever be let in. The stress level of those two positions are so high already that you bothering them is going to really amplify their anger towards you, which is going to ensure that you're never going to get in. Never ever touch a doorman or a person with a list. Even this (tapping of the shoulder). This sends them over the edge, so never touch them. Never yell at them, as the people at the door with the list have a million things to do in a very short amount of time. They might be dealing with the fire inspector, and he might be saying they're close to capacity. They're getting about a hundred phone calls and texts at once from people who need to get in. They're trying to serve all their clients, and they're trying to make all their clients who bought tables and bottles happy. They're trying to multi-task a lot of different things at once, so keep that in mind when you're there and be very receptive to that and act accordingly. If you annoy them in any way or especially touch them, boy you've blown your chances.
Why do some people get to walk past the line right into a club or bar?
It's because they know the door people. If you go out enough, you'll get to know the door people and if you just know someone, you'll get right in. The people that generally don't know the door people are the ones waiting in the line.
How can I get on the list for a club or bar?
If you're trying to get on the list in a big city, a good resource is the Internet. There are sites like LA.com that has a great resource of all the hot restaurants, what to do on every single night of the week as far as bars or clubs. Sometimes they even have an email address that you can email them on, and they'll start putting you on lists. From that list, other people will put you on lists and on and on and on until you get on every list. Your emails are then blasting out the roof.
Does the car I'm in matter when I pull up in front of a club or bar?
In LA there's usually valet, so you valet your car on the side. Usually it doesn't matter what car you come in, but you just have to know someone in order to get in a venue.
Will arriving in a limo get me into a hot spot?
Limos are not going to ensure you of getting into a place. Generally, in LA, people really don't care if they see a limo. It's not that special. In Vegas, usually you have a limo if you don't want to wait in the taxi line and you have a bunch of people with you - then you would get a limo. It's fun, but it's not going to ensure that you get into a place.
Is it true that only women are likely to get into hot bars and clubs?
Usually promoters and venue owners prefer letting in more females than males because they like to keep their female ratio very high. It works, so because women like to go places where there's other attractive women, so do men, and that attracts celebrities and the whole rest of the crowd. So you just can't get along without letting in attractive women, which is why they will always get in first.
What is the best way for a man to get into a bar or club?
Men have to know someone or be ready to grease the doorman.
What is the best way for a large group to get into a bar or club?
It depends. If you are with a large group of friends and you are celebrating a special occasion then I suggest, especially for restaurants, you make reservations well in advance especially if it's in a trendy spot. It depends what city you're in. Normally if you're in a large group, say four or more, they're going to require you, and you have men and women, you're going to probably have to buy a table. With each table you have to buy, it varies from place to place, you have to spend an 'x' amount of bottles per table. So it might be expensive to get to hang out with all your friends and have a table and be taken care of and get in right away.
What should I do if some people in my group don't get into a hot spot with me?
You have a group of girls and you have three attractive girls and one unattractive girl. You are going to get in because you have enough attractive girls with you that you'll get in. Normally, they won't say: “Oh, you can come in, but your friend can't.” That normally doesn't happen.
Will slipping the doorman money help me get into a hot spot, and if so, how much?
Generally if you're a guy and you don't know anyone and you're trying to get into a hot spot, I would ask them if there are any tables available so that you can buy a table and bottles, because that ensures that you will be spending a lot of money in their venue, and they want that. If it is really trendy, they might say "Oh, I'm sorry, all the tables are sold." At that point, you should start handing over your money. How much money you give them depends on the doorperson. It can range anywhere from fifty to five hundred. It just depends on that particular doorperson.
What is 'bottle service' and can it help me get into a hot bar or club?
Bottle service is when you have a group of generally three or more and you want to buy a bottle. You get seated at a table and there will be a minimum on the number of bottles that you have to buy. Like most places it's a two bottle minimum. Each bottle can vary from $250 and up, depending on if you're getting vodka or champagne. It really depends on what you're getting. Be prepared to spend a lot, and have your credit cards ready.
What is the best time to go to a hot bar or club?
If you don't know anyone, the best time for you to go to a hot spot would be the earliest time possible. If you know that the place opens at 10pm, then you had better get there at 10pm. This is because your chances of getting in will be a lot higher than if you come at midnight and the line's down the block and you don't know anyone, because then you're just going to be waiting in line all night. I always tell my guy friends who are coming out of town to go early to every venue they want to go to, because even though there might be only two people inside, at least they got in and at least they know in an hour or two it'll be really good.
What is the coolest time to go to a hot bar or club?
The best time to go to a hot spot is generally midnight.
What is a 'cover charge' and how much should I expect it to be?
Hot spots will generally never, ever charge anyone a cover charge. That's just a no. Generally you'll pay cover charges in your run of the mill large clubs or bars that anyone can get in, you don't need to know anyone to get in, and you just pay your ten dollar to one hundred dollar cover charge.
If I leave a hot spot, can I expect the doorman to let me in again?
If you are in a hot spot, and it is reaching your capacity, it is not a good idea to go out to your car or go outside because there's no guarantee you will get back in. If you do need to go to your car, or outside for some particular reason, make sure you get a stamp or a wrist band or whatever to make sure that you can get back in. Also, a good thing to know is right before you leave, tell the bouncer or doorman, “Hey I'm just going to go to my car real quick, I'll be right back.” Generally they don't like ins and outs though.
