jobs at nightclubs/lounges

[in_the_zone]

Lately I've been thinking about applying to be a cocktail waitress or door person at this stylish lounge/dance club near my home. I talked to one of the waitresses about the jobs available but it wasn't enough info to make up my mind either way. Hence my question....if you have had a club job, what was your experience? Are/Were there any major perks or problems with working in this environment. (besides the obvious difficult drunks and late hours?)

[kddani]

Originally posted by in_the_zone
Lately I've been thinking about applying to be a cocktail waitress or door person at this stylish lounge/dance club near my home. I talked to one of the waitresses about the jobs available but it wasn't enough info to make up my mind either way. Hence my question....if you have had a club job, what was your experience? Are/Were there any major perks or problems with working in this environment. (besides the obvious difficult drunks and late hours?)

I've never worked at a club but i've spent plenty of time at them.
Perks are probably that you can make great money on busy nights.

Bad things- at least as far as being a cocktail waitress- generally have to wear very skimpy outfits, men will treat you like a piece of meat all night, you'll get groped, hit on and propositioned.

[Rudey]

Originally posted by kddani
generally have to wear very skimpy outfits, men will treat you like a piece of meat all night, you'll get groped, hit on and propositioned.

This is different from being a patron how?

-Rudey

Originally posted by kddani


Bad things- at least as far as being a cocktail waitress- generally have to wear very skimpy outfits, men will treat you like a piece of meat all night, you'll get groped, hit on and propositioned.

That's not always true. I was a cocktail waitress for almost 3 years and various bars/lounges/clubs and I never had to wear anything I didn't feel comfortable in. A lot of places don't require their female help to wear skimpy clothes anymore -- I guess a lot of them were being threatened with suits. Even with strip clubs -- many strip clubs often employ more men as cocktail servers.

As far as being treated like a piece of meat, well, that's inevitable. It's just a matter of doing your job...take their order, bring their drinks, take their cash (if they don't start tabs), thank them, and if they talk shit, let em. Just smile and walk away.

Are you an experienced waitress? How busy does this club get? I ask because if it's a busy night, you'll be tapped left and right for service, and it can be difficult to carry a full tray of bottles and drinks, take their money/give their change, and clear off any empties.

The tips are great, but sometimes you'll have those shitty nights where the tips just aren't worth it.

And that's why I retired.

[in_the_zone]

Originally posted by OTW
That's not always true. I was a cocktail waitress for almost 3 years and various bars/lounges/clubs and I never had to wear anything I didn't feel comfortable in. A lot of places don't require their female help to wear skimpy clothes anymore -- I guess a lot of them were being threatened with suits. Even with strip clubs -- many strip clubs often employ more men as cocktail servers.

As far as being treated like a piece of meat, well, that's inevitable. It's just a matter of doing your job...take their order, bring their drinks, take their cash (if they don't start tabs), thank them, and if they talk shit, let em. Just smile and walk away.

Are you an experienced waitress? How busy does this club get? I ask because if it's a busy night, you'll be tapped left and right for service, and it can be difficult to carry a full tray of bottles and drinks, take their money/give their change, and clear off any empties.

The tips are great, but sometimes you'll have those shitty nights where the tips just aren't worth it.

And that's why I retired.

Hey OTW....

In response to your questions, this club gets pretty filled up especially on the weekend...on the weekdays, Tuesday for example, on industry night, it was full but not packed.

I found out that the waitresses work 8 hours....830-5am. Door hours are lighter, and they are especially interested in hiring women. Because I have no experience in waitressing, I would think that door might be the more ideal job.

As to dress code... I am a huge girly girl, so I love the idea of wearing cute tops, minis and heels. This club definitely seeks to have a certain image...so I'm pretty sure there are certain expectations of staff, but it seems reasonable.

As to whether to apply...I'm really debating whether to pursue it now, and work two nights a week then really pick up after school slows down for winter break. Basically, I always thought this would be a good summer job, but the extra money now would mean a new car, which is motivating me to possibly pursue this sooner rather than as late as next year.

Originally posted by in_the_zone
Hey OTW....

In response to your questions, this club gets pretty filled up especially on the weekend...on the weekdays, Tuesday for example, on industry night, it was full but not packed.

I found out that the waitresses work 8 hours....830-5am. Door hours are lighter, and they are especially interested in hiring women. Because I have no experience in waitressing, I would think that door might be the more ideal job.

As to dress code... I am a huge girly girl, so I love the idea of wearing cute tops, minis and heels. This club definitely seeks to have a certain image...so I'm pretty sure there are certain expectations of staff, but it seems reasonable.

As to whether to apply...I'm really debating whether to pursue it now, and work two nights a week then really pick up after school slows down for winter break. Basically, I always thought this would be a good summer job, but the extra money now would mean a new car, which is motivating me to possibly pursue this sooner rather than as late as next year.

Working the door might be a good idea. If you want to start waitressing and get experience, maybe it's best to start off on a slow night or even at a place that doesn't get too crowded on even their busy nights.

I started off as a server working part time on the weekends and then after a year my boss asked if I wanted to start training behind the bar. I couldn't resist. Soon I was working 6 nights a week...my sleep schedule was whack, and I got sucked in because the cash was always there.

I know the club you're interested in has an image, but please reconsider wearing heels. Heels as the door girl might not sound bad, but if you're out on the floor, you'd want to get better shoes if you value your feet. I don't know how many girls I sent home after they had the nerve to show up in open-toed heels.

[in_the_zone]

Thanks OTW

[ladysebs]

HEY DOES ANY BODY KNOW WHERE I CAN FIND A COCKTAIL WAITRESSING JOB IN LA.... PLZ IN NEED OF A CAR BADLY WANNA WORK THERE CUZ THEY SAY THEY MAKE GOOD MONEY