Officially, my job title reads “model cocktail waitress,” but in the vibrant world of Las Vegas nightclubs, I’m known as a Bottle Service Girl. Whether you call it bottle girl or model cocktail waitress, it’s the role I’ve embraced at Omnia Nightclub inside Caesars Palace since 2015. My name is Carrie Orozco, and at 28, I’ve witnessed the dazzling performances of icons like Celine Dion and navigated the less glamorous realities of nightlife, including unwelcome harassment. For anyone dreaming of stepping into this fast-paced, high-energy career, let me offer a glimpse into what it truly takes to become a bottle service girl, from presenting your best self to mastering the art of networking in the electrifying Las Vegas scene.
My journey into the world of bottle service began in the summer of 2015. Before Omnia Nightclub became my stage, I was a food server at Rehab, a day club then located at the Hard Rock Hotel (now Virgin Hotels Las Vegas). When Omnia announced auditions on social media, a spark ignited within me. I was immediately drawn to the allure of the nightclub world and started preparing myself physically and mentally for the audition process. The idea of working in such a high-energy environment was incredibly exciting.
Landing the Job: Auditions and First Impressions
The audition process for becoming a bottle service girl is quite structured. You start by submitting your resume and then joining a line of hopefuls, all vying for a coveted spot. The initial stage involves a mini-interview designed to assess your personality and suitability for the role. They take a Polaroid photograph – front and back – to get a full view of your appearance. Then, you face a panel of judges who ask standard questions: your name, any prior experience in bottle service, and perhaps a unique fact about yourself. The key is to let your personality shine through. They are looking for individuals who can engage with guests and enhance the overall club experience. After the initial interview, you wait to see if you receive a callback for a more formal, in-depth interview.
Age is a strict requirement in this industry. You must be 21 years old by the time the nightclub opens to be considered for hiring. This is because the training period can last a couple of months. I received the call confirming my job offer just two weeks after my 21st birthday. Interestingly, I hadn’t even officially experienced a nightclub as a patron before starting this job.
Nightclubs in Las Vegas, including Omnia, typically operate one weekday and throughout the weekend. Our busiest nights are Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, with Thursday being reserved for a smaller, more intimate venue setting. This schedule demands flexibility and high energy, especially during peak seasons and special events.
A Night in the Life: Setting Up and Serving the Elite
I usually work three nights a week, balancing the demands of the job with my personal life.
Orozco and a coworker at Omnia Nightclub.
The nightclub doors open at 10:30 p.m., and my preparation begins at home about two hours prior. Dinner is a must before heading to work, and I always pack a snack to keep my energy levels up throughout the night. The transformation into a bottle service girl involves slipping into my dress and high heels, with final touch-ups to my hair and makeup done once I arrive at the club.
Upon arrival, the first task is setting up my designated section and attending a pre-shift meeting with my department. These meetings are crucial for staying informed about any changes, especially with recent events like the liquor shortage that has impacted our menu offerings. Menu adjustments are frequently discussed, ensuring we are all up-to-date. We also receive information about VIP guests expected that night, including any special occasions like birthdays, allowing us to personalize their experience. After the meeting, we head to our assigned sections, ready to welcome guests.
My section typically includes two to four tables, depending on the layout of the club each night. As a bottle service girl, my role extends beyond simply serving drinks. We are guides for the night, tasked with ensuring our guests have an unforgettable experience. While sales are a part of the job, encouraging guests to purchase bottles and reach spending minimums, the ultimate goal is guest satisfaction. We want them to have such an incredible time that they are eager to return to Omnia Nightclub. Creating a memorable experience often outweighs the pressure to maximize their spending for a single night.
Bottle Service Defined: More Than Just Drinks
Orozco and coworkers in costume for a bottle presentation at Omnia Nightclub.
It’s important to understand that “bottle service” is distinct from standard drink service. You wouldn’t order a simple cocktail like a Long Island iced tea from me at the table. In fact, I personally don’t even know how to prepare one! Our focus is exclusively on bottle service, which is a premium experience.
When a guest commits to a minimum spend, say $10,000, they are agreeing to spend that amount on liquor bottles. This minimum does not include taxes, venue fees, or gratuity. The presentation of these bottles is where the spectacle comes in. We use dazzling lights, dramatic confetti sparklers, and themed costumes to create an unforgettable moment. Nightclubs in Las Vegas are in constant competition to elevate these presentations, understanding that the markup on liquor is not just for the product itself. We are selling an immersive experience, crafting nights that guests will remember long after they leave.
Champagne presentations receive the full treatment with lights and confetti. Occasionally, exceptions are made for ultra-premium tequilas or cognacs. On special nights like New Year’s Eve, the minimum spend for such elaborate presentations escalates significantly. You might need to spend at least $5,000 to get the lights and confetti, as some tables on these nights have minimums as high as $30,000.
Starting this job opened my eyes to a level of wealth I had never imagined. I knew rich people existed, but I was unprepared for the sheer number of them and the extent of their affluence. We cater to the “crème de la crème” of wealthy individuals. They come to us, seeking an exclusive experience, and money is often no object. As a 21-year-old, I was genuinely astonished.
These guests are unfazed by the amounts they are spending. Credit card fraud alerts are non-existent; concerned calls from spouses about expenses never happen. Money, in this environment, seems to be a secondary consideration to the experience itself. It was a culture shock to witness this level of spending power firsthand.
Teamwork and Tips: The Pooling System
Orozco with her bottle service team at Omnia Nightclub.
To ensure fairness and prevent any preferential treatment, tips at Omnia Nightclub are pooled venue-wide. This system is designed to promote teamwork and consistent service, regardless of who serves which table.
Pooling tips also addresses situations involving VIP guests or casino executives who may not always tip traditionally. For instance, if a manager’s family member is in your section, you wouldn’t want to pressure them for a large tip, but equally, you wouldn’t want to provide subpar service due to the expectation of a lower tip. The pooling system ensures consistent service quality for all guests.
We do tip out a percentage of our earnings to bussers and bartenders, recognizing their crucial roles in the bottle service operation. These departments also have their own tip-out structures. The percentages for tip-outs were established from the outset. In the rare event of an exceptionally large tip, say $100,000 or more, the tip-out percentage may slightly increase. Due to the substantial sums involved, large tips are often processed via wire transfer, taking a few days to be distributed, as the venue typically doesn’t keep that much cash on hand.
While I technically earn an hourly wage, it’s not a significant part of my overall income. Tips are the primary source of earnings for bottle service girls.
When a nightclub opens, the IRS assesses the venue’s sales data to calculate an average expected gratuity per hour for employees. They then establish a “tip compliance” rate that we are expected to meet. My hourly tip compliance rate is so high that it effectively reduces my actual hourly wage due to taxes.
Being part of a union property does offer benefits. We receive perks like a pension, health insurance, and the security of union representation. Knowing there is a union to support us is a valuable aspect of the job.
Peak Nights and Unexpected Challenges
New Year’s Eve is undoubtedly our biggest night of the year. While surprises can happen throughout the year with guests spending extravagantly, New Year’s Eve consistently brings in the highest revenue. The sheer amount of money in the venue on that night is remarkable, depending on the clientele who attend.
New Year’s Eve 2021 was slower than usual due to COVID-19 restrictions. The anticipated surge in cases at the end of 2021 also impacted the following New Year’s Eve, making it less busy than initially expected. However, we still performed well, achieving our typical New Year’s Eve averages. Considering the reduced guest numbers, I remain grateful for the success we had.
Just like any waitressing job, dealing with rude guests is an occasional reality. However, in the nightclub environment, the added element of intoxication amplifies these challenges. My biggest pet peeve is dealing with “sloppy” guests. Accidental cigarette burns are particularly disrespectful. If someone is responsible enough to smoke, they should be responsible enough not to burn others.
The job can be much less glamorous than people imagine. We encounter throw-up, broken glass, and other unpleasant situations that are sometimes unavoidable. While I’ve never personally been vomited on, many colleagues have. In such cases, you are usually given the option to go home. However, on very busy nights, you might simply change clothes and return to work.
Navigating Harassment and Setting Boundaries
Sexual harassment is an unfortunate reality within the nightclub industry. It’s not solely perpetrated by men; women can also cross boundaries. Sometimes guests seem to forget that this is our workplace and professional boundaries are essential.
Bottle service girls at Omnia are not permitted to drink while working. Despite this, guests sometimes pressure us to drink with them or make inappropriate advances. Comments like “I love your dress,” followed by grabbing or touching the dress, are examples of unacceptable behavior. This type of interaction would be unthinkable in a retail store or grocery store setting, highlighting the lack of respect sometimes shown in nightclub environments.
Personal boundaries vary from person to person. I personally don’t mind a friendly hug from a guest. However, some of my colleagues are uncomfortable even with handshakes or high-fives due to hygiene concerns in a crowded nightclub setting where you are unsure where people’s hands have been. It’s about finding your comfort level and communicating it professionally.
Perks of the Job: Celebrities and Camaraderie
One of the significant perks of working at Omnia is the opportunity to see world-renowned DJs perform. Beyond DJs, we also get to witness surprise performances by A-list musicians. I was working the night Celine Dion graced our stage on New Year’s Eve and sang. We host private events known as banquets, which often feature performances by top talent. I’ve seen Matchbox Twenty and Iggy Azalea perform at these private events. It’s like getting a free concert every time you work.
The camaraderie among the bottle service girls is another major highlight of the job. While some might perceive a group of women working in this environment as competitive or catty, it’s the opposite. These women have become my closest friends. The work environment is playful and supportive. Stress levels are generally low, and everyone is there for each other. The networking opportunities are also incredible, connecting with successful and influential people from various industries.
The reason I started my TikTok account is because people are constantly asking me, “What’s the craziest thing that’s ever happened to you at work?”
@carrieooos Ask me questions in the comments and I’ll try to answer as many as I can !! #bottlegirl #waitress #lasvegas FEEL THE GROOVE – Queens Road, Fabian Graetz
We’ve had guests who have gotten into arguments, departed in their private jets, only to return later the same night, ready to spend their minimum. The requests and behaviors of some high-spending guests can be incredibly unique and imaginative.
In certain niche markets, some guests have specific requests, like wanting bottles taped to our hands, or even wanting us to tape bottles to their hands when they purchase large quantities of Champagne so we have to pour it all immediately. For massive Champagne orders requiring 20 servers for the presentation, we have to remain until every last drop is poured. These extravagant requests are, of course, reserved for our most valued customers.
Sometimes, guests will buy out entire sections, allowing us to essentially build a custom stage. A few years ago, a guest brought in professional sports players, and we transformed their section into a playful zone with a ball pit, a bouncy area for playful wrestling, and a money machine where guests could try to grab flying cash. Their minimum spend was likely around $200,000, but these types of clients consistently exceed their minimums. Occasionally, we even set a symbolic $1 minimum for certain high-roller clients, knowing they will spend generously regardless.
Aspiring to be a Bottle Service Girl?
If this career path intrigues you, keep an eye on social media.
Instagram post about Omnia Nightclub auditions.
Nightclubs and venues regularly post audition announcements, typically in late December and early January. Presenting your best self is crucial. While there’s a common misconception that you need to be extremely thin with artificial enhancements, that’s not entirely accurate anymore. The industry has evolved. Fitness is still important.
While body modifications are still prevalent, the emphasis has shifted towards a healthy and fit physique rather than an unrealistic ideal. “BBLs” (Brazilian Butt Lifts) are a current trend, reflecting a move away from the ultra-thin look. However, these women are undeniably fit and prioritize their health and appearance. Attention to detail is key: hair meticulously styled, nails perfectly manicured, makeup flawlessly applied, and a consistent tan maintained. Teeth whitening is also common. The competition is fierce, so presenting the absolute best version of yourself is essential.
Don’t be discouraged by initial setbacks. I was fortunate to be hired by the first club I auditioned for in my first year, but many girls face multiple auditions before landing a position. Persistence is key. Consider exploring opportunities at smaller pools and clubs as well, as they can also be very lucrative. The guests who frequent nightclubs also need accommodations, creating opportunities throughout the hotel and hospitality industry.
Networking within the hotel industry is beneficial. While knowing someone isn’t a prerequisite for getting hired—I didn’t know anyone when I started—connections can certainly enhance your opportunities, as in any industry. Getting your foot in the door, even through an acquaintance, can provide a significant advantage in navigating this competitive field.
