Park MGM charging a "venue fee" at their bars

After VitalVegas tweeted about one of Park MGM's bars charging a 5% "service fee" for basically nothing, that had me thinking that I might have gotten hit with a similar charge when I was at Juniper Lounge in July.

Checked my bill... and I only had the transaction receipt, not the itemized receipt. But I reverse-calculated the pre-tip amount against the base price of the drink, and it came to 18% that was added on, much higher than the 8-something percent sales tax they're supposed to charge.

So I messaged Park MGM out of curiosity, and asked what the deal is with this extra charge.

They got back to me, and this was their justification... it's basically a resort fee for the bar!!!

Just thought you all should know, especially if you're planning on visiting any of these venues. This is just pathetic.

 

Pretty soon they'll be charging a fee, to cover the handling of the service fee. What a crock!

 

wow, just sad to see the excessive squeeze from MGM. if they had live music or something at these locations, at least that would be a reasonable excuse. another incident that confirms I will never give money to MGM properties again.

 

What a crock. This should be displayed up front.

 

This has to hurt the bartenders, if I’m paying a 10 percent fee for A DRINK, my usual 20 percent tip will go to 0. 10 percent to the venue fee, and 10 percent to my anger over having to pay a venue fee.

 

Good old Park... writing the book on how to do a big Reno wrong, in every way possible.

Thanks for sharing @notfromconcentrate, as always a very informative post, and kudos on digging into it and asking them directly!

(And I like MLIFE, but Park has always had delusions of grandeur...so this doesn't surprise me at all...)

 

This charge is part of MGM's "Gametop Repair Exceptional Environment Directive".

It's usually referred to by its acronym. It's nothing new at MGM.

 

Next time you get a drink there, ask for your free copy of USA Today.

 

That is a crock of s*** if I would askand was told there was a fee I wouldn't give that property 1 penny of my money. Or if I bought a drink and was told after the fact the bartender wouldn't get a penny as a tip and I would explain why.

 

The audacity of charging us to maintain gambling machines.

 

This is why I cancelled Vegas in April for a cruise and decided to go to NOLA this upcoming March.

I can drive 90 minutes to a casino vs a four hour flight and 3 time changes.

Seriously, if I see a 'service fee' I would think the same as a 18% gratuity and not tip additional. Shitty for the bartender? Probably.

Vegas is boiling the frog.

 

Wow! What's next! A fee to use the restrooms.

 

I saw the tweet on Mama Rabbit, which was disappointing, but was surprised to see Juniper to have a service charge since I figured it was in-house. For Mama Rabbit, I figured they were doing what is basically the CNF charge you see at Hexx, Beer Park, and some other locations at CET properties (and from what I understand, Rhumbar had before going back in-house). I'm going to check next week and see if they list the service charge on the menu (in small print at the bottom of course), like you see the CNF at other places.

 

That's just another reason I am glad I booked a CET property for the first time in almost a decade for my October trip. MGM Hotels have started to tinkle me off in a big way on so many levels.

 

This looks similar to the CNF fee at Beer Park and Hexx where it’s disclosed on the menu in small print.

Gotta vote with the feet, it’s not personal, just business. Surge pricing, no online menu prices, parking fees, resort fees, early check in fees, 24 hour notice for cancellation, self serve check in kiosks or short staffed front desks, fewer cocktail waitresses on the floor, short pour drinks, robotic cocktail dispensers, triple zero roulette, 6:5 Blackjack, tight slots, 6/5 VP machines. It’s all fun until it’s not. These corporations serve one constituent: Wall Street and the suits are compensated based on bottom line results. They just don’t give a shit about taking care of a customer because some other Joe’s plane just landed.

 

Well said. The problem with this logic for MGM is that when the next recession hits, it will be unlike any other for Vegas. Gambling (both traditional and sports) is rapidly expanding throughout the country and people are wising up to all of the fees. This is not a good combination for Vegas tourism in general.

 

I do not understand the ivory tower folks at MGM at all.

If they want more revenue, just increase the price of food and drink slightly. Sticking that fee on there is such a negative that just pi$$e$ people off.

Just like how some slots earn less points because they have to pay royalties, or whatever. Just change the hold slightly instead.

MORONS

Working down my Express Comps and offers. Once they are gone, so am I.

 

Is there VP available at this bar or is it more social oriented. As I understand it from above, I walk in and order drinks for 2. I pay and in doing so cover the additional fee as well. ?
I don’t think I know many people that walk in without a menu at a bar and first ask how much a such and such drink is. So unless you get a receipt you are just paying a random total for two drinks with a tip added along. But unknowingly so. Is this a correct assumption?
Only playing vp at bars (bar tops?) for a number of years I can’t say I actually know how much a drink costs. I know a beer is a dollar but I like the way they pop the top (or as Jim Ed Brown would say, pop a top again!!).
Wow.

 

I'm probably right behind you. I'll be spending the majority of my express comps to treat my family in 3 weeks, hopefully earning Platinum to take advantage of the free cruise one last time. I already have NO booked for June next year, staying at Harrah's. If I make it to Vegas next year, I'll probably stay at a CET location, or see what the Cosmo will give me. Beyond the cruise, there just doesn't seem much to motivate me to give M Life my play. I like a nice suite as much as the next person, but am just as happy staying at the Flamingo.

I actually like the fact that CET has locations everywhere, and is pretty generous with the airfare offers.

 

This is not fair. The bartender has just as much control over this ridiculous fee as you or I do.