Beware of VIP bouncers padding song counts!

Haven’t been in the HL since March, but managed to escape for a quick visit on Wednesday afternoon the day before the Fourth of July. The club was busy, but not packed. Before sitting, I stood near the bar to survey the main floor, and see if I recognized any favorite dancers. An old fave Dallas walked up and said hello. I hadn’t seen anyone else I recognized, and my ATF was not in the house, so this was a nice surprise. We headed to the wall, and found the corner seat open. She warned me right away that floor and wall dances are now basically air dances due to heavy enforcement. I said I had heard about that, but told her to go ahead. Dallas has always been a fairly low contact dancer, so she was certainly true to her word. After one dance she had to go on stage, but said she would be right back. I fended off multiple approaches from other dancers until she returned. She has some updated enhancements, so I decided to take her to VIP so I could at least get my hands on her.

We did 3 songs in VIP. I’m positive it was 3 songs because after two I said “that’s 2, right?” She confirmed, and I said OK, one more. 3 in VIP, 2 on the floor, I thanked her and handed her a $100 bill. However, the bouncer standing outside of VIP said it was 4 songs based on me being back there for 11 minutes. I told him I was positive it was 3 songs, but he stuck to 4. Dallas tried explaining that they now price VIP based on time instead of dances, which sounded like complete bullshit. Dallas is a veteran, stand-up dancer who I’ve known a long time; she does not over-count, but it appeared she was stuck in the middle, and was going to be charged the house fee for 4 songs. I moved away from the bouncer, and told her I would pay for dances only. She asked for another $10, which I gave her. I don’t know where this came from, I either owed her $95 or $120 if I believed the bouncer.

Bottom line, if the bouncers are now padding VIP song counts, this club is doomed. If they are truly abandoning song counts for a timer, there will be more disputes, and the club will also be doomed. My recommendation is to count out loud at the end of each song, and tell your dancer up front that you will only pay by the song. Is there anything else HL “management” can do to chase away good customers?