A Champagne bottle at EDC Las Vegas was priced at an astounding $94,000.
When an image of the beverage list for this weekend's Electronic Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas went viral, it sparked enormous controversy - particularly among those not familiar with the idea of table service.
The list revealed prices ranging from $1,540 for a bottle of Perrier Joet Belle Epoque Brut (marked up by a whopping 616% from its $249.99 price at Crown Wine and Spirits) to $94,000 for a Methuselah 6-liter bottle of Dom Perignon Brut or Dom Perignon Rose (representing a staggering 1,074% markup).
Despite these exorbitant figures, the menu also included more reasonable alternatives: a $30 bottle of Grey Goose for $975, a $20 bottle of Jack Daniels for $875, and a $10 pack of six Bud Light bottles for $140.
Twitter user houtanY commented, "No wonder everyone just does drugs."
"This can't be real," said @DioDiablo7.
"For $875, Jack Daniel himself better be serving the drink," quipped @PTBryce47.
So Why So Expensive?
These were not the prices at EDC's regular bars, where patrons order their own drinks and then walk away with them.
At EDC's elevated viewing decks, however, drink purchases come with a table, a prime stage view, and a wristband allowing access to all festival VIP areas. These exclusive experiences also feature Golf-cart rides to your reserved table.
Most Las Vegas nightclubs and beach clubs have been offering similar bottle service packages for over 20 years.
The Message of the Bottle
Ultimately, bottle service isn't mainly about the actual drinks. It's all about providing an upscale, luxurious experience where friends can enjoy each other's company while being attended to by their own bartender.
Essentially, it's a means of telegraphing wealth or connections to any potential suitors.
Additionally, this setup allows your entire party to bypass lengthy entry lines.
The Birth of Bottle Service
The concept of bottle service was sparked in 1988 at Les Bains Douches, a Paris nightclub short on space. They started providing table reservations with complimentary beverages. The idea quickly spread across Europe, gradually losing the free part along the way.
The first US club to offer bottle service was New York's the Tunnel in 1993. At the time, $90 seemed almost reasonable for a bottle compared to purchasing individual glasses.
By 1995, bottle service had become popular in New York. Clubs adopted it, increasing prices and requiring it for VIP room entry. Miami and LA followed suit in 2000.
Las Vegas introduced bottle service with the launch of Light at the Bellagio in 2001. Currently, most nightclubs on the Strip incorporate this trend.
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Source: www.casino.org
