Is valet a deal breaker?
theDirkDiggler
Illinois
I prefer to go to higher end clubs. For me, they're actually not that more expensive if at all despite the common perception. For instance the dance prices at these clubs are about the same as the dives, even when factoring cost per minute, but i seem to get better if not much better quality in terms of service and talent. The VIPs/CR are "usually" more expensive, but i don't tend to do them unless i felt it was more economical to go that route. Yes, the drinks are more expensive, but i'm not a drinker and rarely buy drinks for dancers so that cost doesn't really hit me besides the one drink that i buy for the entire visit. Other things like bathroom troll seem like miniscule and optional expenses. The higher cover is real, but i've been able to get around those for the most part at the particular clubs in question. The valet is a different story. I pay that every time ($5 plus a few dollars tip, depending on things like weather, etc). This might seem like an unnecessary cost, and some people really don't want strangers alone in their car, but when i plan on spending several hundred or more, that cost doesn't really concern me especially when that is all that i paid to get into the club (and the one drink later).
For those of you that go to higher end clubs or won't because of it, what are your reasons?
For those of you that go to higher end clubs or won't because of it, what are your reasons?
22 comments
The only time I would prefer to valet would be if the club was in a sketchy neighborhood and I would o/w have to park on the street, or if I felt my car would not be safe other than in the valet section, or if the parking situation was a PITA o/w, but usually not the case in the clubs I hit in the South.
Some "valet" clubs will allow you to self park as long as they get their $5 or $10 fee. I typically have guns and/or work equipment in my vehicle, so I am not going to give a stranger the keys to my car. I also tend to keep party favors in my vehicle. Sometimes I will slip out of the club for a few minutes to hit the bottle or suck down a can of Sincweiser. A valet would get in the way of my fun.
One of the clubs that i use the valet is in a very sketchy area, although it is right off the highway so there really isn't any residential or commercial street parking available. I also think that the valet (and higher cover) does keep some of that sketchy group out of that club. The clientele at that club doesn't generally seem reflective of that neighborhood.
Yes, it is annoying and i would prefer to park my own car. The one benefit is i don't have to worry about my keys regarding lap dances.
For people that get stuff paid for, having to explain what happened to the rental car one time at band camp is a thing.
I have paid a guy $20 a few times - at a club in Orange - when my brother parked his convertible on the street there. I knew the “security” guy from my misspent youth - so just a little cash seemed worthwhile to keep his eyes on a rag top.
Like you said, its not really a cost thing. Although, it generally costs more than $5, more like $15-20. I am cheap though, and if I have an option to hit a comparable club without those fee's I'll do it.
At most commercial businesses, especially if alone, I try to park on the street, even if many blocks away in a residential neighborhood. Private property accidents are a bad deal, sometimes police refuse to respond. Some people drive screwy on private property.
The safest is always a residential neighborhood, and if you learn how to do it so that they assume it is their neighbor's car.
SJG
There is one guy who would always play it differently:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsJEkl5G…
More:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsJEkl5G…
I usually have a rental car too so I’m not too concerned but as Sinclair shared his experience that is scary.
ONE positive thing I do like about valet is they have my keys and I don’t have to keep up with them inside the club. It’s nice getting a lapdance without keys in your pocket.
SJG
Some clubs I would not visit if they didn't have valet service, because they are not in the best location.
In 2016 I SCed in Irvington, NJ which is supposed to be a hood - they were dayshift visits but I still felt a bit wary having to park a block away and having to walk to the club in an area unfamiliar to me and w/ seemingly a not so-good rep - plus I'm not used to having to park a block(s) away from a club and having to walk to them, especially in dubious areas.
I almost always have valuables in my car whether it is a rental or not.
It is not like valet at a hotel where you can remove your valuables.
If the attendant steals from your car or wrecks your car are you going to call the cops and fill out a report and insurance claim like you would if a hotel or restaurant did it?
If there is Valet I will ask if I can pay the fee and park myself where they tell me if not I usually leave. I recently tried to go to a "nice" club on Long Island. I turned into the parking lot and they had barricades up forcing you into one lane in front of the club with cone to force you to stop. The place had a large virtually empty lot. It was mid week and they had 8 or 10 dressed up pet turds parking cars for $20 + tip NOT!!!!!. That plus the gate tax at the door and the minimum drink would have killed more than $50 before I saw any skin, plus this was a reported low mileage "High Class" topless club. After the guy refused to let me park myself I told him I was not interested in going in the club and was leaving. He got pissed off and would not back off from the car and let me go forward to turn around to leave. Fortunately there was no one behind me yet so I could back up and managed to turn around in the entrance while a car waited to turn in. Also the guy had a Russian accent so this was likely a Russian run club meaning ROB's.
I do not mind paying for parking but douche-bag valet parking attendants I can live without. I do not even mind bathroom attendants if they keep the bathroom clean!