If you have been out to many nightclubs and lounges lately the you have been exposed to the bottle service phenomenon. The terms “bottle service”, “table service” or “booth reservations” all mean the same thing and I am here to tell you that for better or worse, (depending on your point of view) the service is here to stay (maybe). I am aware that there are some of you that are unfamiliar with what this service is so let me give you an adequate explanation. “Bottle service” is a “feature” of many clubs and lounges that enable patrons to buy their own bottle of liquor. This also includes glasses, the liquor on ice, and a variety of mixers. Typically cranberry juice, orange juice, Red Bull (or whatever you specify you’d like) and limes, lemons etc. (You can get a refill.) You also get a dedicated seating area with your own Server (or Host). He or she will serve up your first round of drinks and make sure you and your party are taken care of. Note that sometimes there is mandatory tip.

Now all this V.I.P. treatment will cost you, because there is usually a very high markup on the actual liquor. This means that the premium vodka you can by for $30 at a liquor store now is costing you up to ten times as much! In fact the bare minimum starting price on an off night is $100 a bottle, so ordering bottle service can get expensive fast! While the price is steep indeed, reserving bottle service has a number of advantages over just ordering drinks at the bar. Let me list a few:

1. No WAITING at the bar! I don’t really need to explain the advantage here but as you ALL know it can almost ruin a night to have the long breaks in the action.

2. You have a CENTRAL space where everyone in your party can regroup. This is a huge thing because how many times have you become separated from your friends or your group has split up and you do laps around the club/bar looking for each other! Ugggh! That is a great way to ruin a perfectly good night. Oh and guys if you want to make a good impression, what could be better than inviting that special lady to come chill with you at your table for a drink?

3. You and your party DO NOT have to wait in the long line to get in because bottle service guest are usually escorted in separately from everyone else. I have have to admit it is sweet indeed not to have to wait and worry IF you will get in.

To be fair there are some things about Bottle Service that can be a little bit of a hassle if things are not planned out in advance. For example, who’s credit card will be used for the reservation? How will the tab be divided at the end of the night? What if you are unsure that all your invited guests or friends will show up? If you don’t have a handle on any of those questions your big night at the table could be an even larger waste of money. One thing some people gripe about at the end of the night is the half empty bottle because you can’t take it with you (that is something to keep in mind if your group is small).

Now you might be wondering why did I qualify my earlier statement of bottle service being here to stay with a (maybe)? That’s because although clearly the service has it’s advantages, for some club/bar owners it’s a questionable practice. It just does not make sense for every establishment to try to offer this type of service because quite frankly some of them just don’t have the business to support it. It really makes a place seem dead when no one has reserved a table and all of those spaces are empty and roped off. If you don’t have the business to support it, why do it ? You run the risk of losing a potential regular customer who leaves your establishment after a couple of drinks because well, the place just SEEMED dead (we’re dealing with perceptions here folks).

If you and your group want a great night out then I highly recommend you reserve this service especially if it is for an event that you know will be packed. To reserve bottle service call ahead to the club and speak with a VIP host. Have fun and If you have a question or comment register and leave one below.

Derek

I couldn’t completely let 2009 fade away without bringing you one hot track you might have missed! This little Gem by English Electropop/Synthpop group La Roux, “Bulletproof” climbed all the way to the tops of the UK charts over the Summer of ’09. While the original track is actually quite good the Dave Aude remix is pure GENIUS! Take a listen and let me know what you think.

“Bulletproof” (Dave Aude’s Cherry Mix) by La Roux
Available on

I have a confession to make…  I HATED David Guetta’s collaboration with Kelly Rowland upon my first listen in the Summer of 2009,  I mean I REALLY hated it.  But why did I have such a undeniably negative reaction to such an upbeat and danceable track that is sung so soulfully by Kelly Rowland?    Who knew she had that much oomph in her voice?  I had to check out to make sure Kelly hadn’t blown up to a Weather Girl like state to get that power.  Seriously, I guess it’s because with all the crap that was going on in 2009, that sugary sweet of a song was just, kind of tone deaf to what was happening in the news.  The song did however grow on me and by the end of 2009 I found myself singing along to the YEEAHAHs with the rest of the crowd.  That’s what makes for a good song, it wins you over.  Whats makes this a one of the best dance tracks of 2009 is that you shake your butt while you give in.

“When Love Takes Over” – David Guetta featuring Kelly Rowland

Available on iTunes –

Early in 2009 I heard the dub of the Deadmau5 (aka Joel Zimmerman) track “Ghosts n Stuff”, it was like a lot of the music off his early ’09 release “It Sounds Like”… Just OK (One notable exception being “Faxing Berlin”). It was a bit disappointing as he was just coming off a huge collaboration with Kaskade on the track “Move for Me” (Another Best of 2009 Track for sure) and I was looking for more from the Mau. Flash forward to September and boy what a difference a few months can make. For the first single off “For Lack of a Better Name” (a compilation album) the Mau collaborates with Pendulum’s Rob Swire and adds the missing vocals to “Ghosts n Stuff”. Whoa! Play this track in a club and the crowd goes nuts, sing – a-long city! “Ghosts n Stuff” is definitely one of the best dance tracks of 2009.

Comments are appreciated…

Ok so you have stuffed yourself to the gills with Christmas dinner and the family is getting on your nerves…   What can you do?  How About slipping out back for a few cocktails tonight?   Sound good?

Here are a few spots to consider tonight for some After-Christmas Cheer! Have fun and Merry Christmas from ScenesSTL.com!

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SOL Lounge After Christmas Special!

SOL Lounge is bringing you another epic night that you will not forget!

2 Legit and Cor-E-Yography will be bangin’ the tunes guaranteed to keep you moving all night long in the main room with TurboSound!

Make sure to visit www.sollounge.com to book your bottle service and table in advance!

Drink specials and bottle service specials all night long!

We look forward to celebrating Christmas night with all of you!

21+ EVENT!

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“Erotic Energy” Presents X-RATED Christmas

Sugar Lounge |  1405 Washington | St. Louis, MO

http://www.sugarstlouis.com

9:00pm to 3:00am

“Erotic energy” Presents: X- Rated Christmas!!! Hosted by Mista Dj Music by: DJ Shock…. Sponsored by 7Fourteen Ent. , Vizual Magazine and Ashley Puryear Promotions…..Its 18 and up to get in…..everyone free until 10 with a college Id… doors open at 9… And guess what there’s going to be $1000.00 give a way to the sexiest Ms. Clause Costume!!!!

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Christmas Night at EUROPE Nightclub

Europe Nightclub | 710 N. 15th @ Washington Ave. (across from the City Museum).

Yes we are open on Christmas Night , downtown @ Europe Night Club . Dj Gary Mac has invited his best friend Amy Unland (aka Dj Kid Delicious) while she is in town for the holidays to join him on the decks . Come ye , come ye , for this Chrismas night celebration and one night homecoming for Amy , cheers !

Europe Nightclub (18+ to enter = $10 / 21+ to drink = $5) Doors @ 9pm – Open til 3am – No cover before 11pm . street parking available.
This euro high energy style dance club has an incredible layout with 2 levels , each with a large full service bar and HD TV’s . The top level over looks the huge dancefloor that is enriched with intelligent light fixture’s & lazer’s . The soundsystem is extraordinary with 4 double loaded 15″ (EAW for Bass) & 4 double loaded 15″ w/ horn for the top end (JBL) Supported by CROWN & QSC Amplifier’s. Private booths and a VIP room available .
Join us on 12/25/09 – 1/08/10 – 1/15/10 @ Europe for the best music program of Euro House , Techno , Electro and Trance mixed by the “Legendary” Dj Gary Mac & guests .
( for booking as a guest dj , send message to Gary on Facebook . (www.facebook.com/garymac)

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“Miracle on Washington” Christmas Night at LURE

Lure | 1207 Washington St |St. Louis, MO

http://www.freetimestl.com

FREETIME, LIQUID ASSETS, KONCEPTS, R.W.KIRK and GENTLEMAN JACK present…

“Miracle on Washington”
Friday, December 25, Christmas Night
8:00pm to 2:30am
This will be the ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE: 3 DJ’s – DJ Needles, DJ Reminise and DJ Enoch

OPEN BAR featuring:
Gentleman Jack, Finlandia Vodka, Herradura Tequila and Korbel Sweet Rose Champagne. OPEN BAR from 9pm-11pm

Bottle /Table Service, Valet Parking, and Coat Check are available

For Confirmed Bottle/ Table Reservations Email:
adrian@freetimestl.com

Please enjoy Gentleman Jack Responsibly

The ladies of Fusion

We have all been to  Lacelede’s Landing,  aka “The Landing” to party.  If you live in St. Louis it’s a rite of passage.  A usual night was going to The Landing with your friends  stumbling around in a haze, only to later find you and your buddies in the drive through line of the White Castles on Broadway.  Hell the mark of a good Landing night back in the day at was waking up the next morning  with a load of onions on your shirt.  Good times…

However these days The Landing is not the place it once was,  it’s grown up a bit.  With the arrival of Lumiere Place, The Four Seasons, and spots like Drunken Fish, the Landing has become a classier/sassier destination in downtown St. Louis.  Now to affirm The Landing’s new stature on the scene, one of it’s prime locations (the former Club Buca spot) has been transformed into a new upscale venue called Fusion.

Check out the Grand Opening of Fusion this Saturday night!  Doors will open at 8pm with complimentary (FREE) drinks until 9pm!  After 9pm the drinks are $2 until 11pm. If you are looking for Bottle Service  email the club, fusionstl@gmail.com .

Oh and while you there say hi to my twin Diane (second from left)!

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