Getting a group of 20+ into a fully booked club / restaurant after having a word with the bouncer / matire d'? How does this actually work?

I remember when I first went to NYC, I was out for a birthday party with ~15 work friends and acquaintances, plus some family members of the birthday boy. The birthday boy wanted us to go to [exclusive club] and we all walked there, but unfortunately it was full. Now, the birthday boy was cool about it and apologized to the group, but the birthday boy's dad (BB MD / management) disappeared with the bouncer and came back about a minute or two later and everyone got let in.

How does this happen? Is there an explicit promise of money? If so, who proposes or negotiates price? This, to me, is a far cry from slipping cash to a bouncer outside your run of the mill club to let in yourself or a group of 3-4. This was a top notch establishment opening up for ~20 people. I want to know how this went down. I'd like to know how much has to do with cash, and how much has to do with positional power (if any, at all). If the latter, why does that convince an establishment to let them in? Assumed quid pro quo in some way?

10 Comments
 

This the guy probably greased the door man as well and gave him $300-500 in cash for making it happen. 

You also have to be able to effectively communicate and be somewhat likeable to even get the doorman to give you the time of day (have seen this done very well and very poorly). 

Even at the height of the pandemic I knew guys that snuck into bars/clubs/restaurants and were single handedly keeping them alive. They basically had to agree to a minimum spend and to help pay any fines rendered by the state if they got outed. 

 

In the UK you'd just reach out to the club or promoter and book a few tables with minimum spend and inclusive of bottle service. Booked guests won't have any problems at the door unless they are completely drunk or are trouble in other ways.

In the US, there used to be a service called EZ VIP (Daymond John as shark who invested and Pitbull who endorsed the firm), but the website and service shut down. maybe you can also contact the relevant promoters and make a deal.

 

It’s all about money/likeability, MD could’ve been a regular as well. If you’re a big past spender they will always cut you a deal. But like others have said there is a minimum spend attached to this, I.e. 3 bottle min, plusn 300-500 ish for the bouncer or promoter. But honestly you can book a table at any nightclub if you do it ahead of time, no finagling needed, they want your money. Only place I’ve ever struggled with is the underground in chi - that can be a hard fuckin club to get into if you don’t wanna spend 5-10k

 

Everyone here just failed the interview question.  Dad disappeared with bouncer for a minute or two.  Pretty obvious what favor was exchanged...(no homo)

 

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