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August 15, 2006
Stupid yes, illegal no
It seems the Illinois Liquor Commission is cracking down on a scourge of society: bottle service at night clubs.
Some Chicago clubgoers wanting to feel like a VIP will shell out hundreds of dollars for their own bottle of expensive vodka or other liquor, then settle in to be doted on at a private table where they can see and be seen.
But the Illinois Liquor Control Commission says the practice—known as bottle service—is illegal under state law, and it has sent violation notices to 13 clubs, including Le Passage, Enclave, Four, Stone Lotus and Jet Vodka Lounge.
State liquor control officials say bottle service does not allow the staff to properly supervise alcohol use by its patrons, which can result in overconsumption.
But club owners argue bottle service actually has the opposite result, because one server pours the drinks from the bottle and can more closely monitor drinking than if patrons are ordering from different bartenders throughout the night.
"You can see what everyone is drinking," said Luke Stoioff, co-owner of Stone Lotus in River North.
The funniest thing to me is this argument that it either allows or does not allow proper monitoring of alcohol consumption. There is one reason clubs like to have bottle service: being able to charge $500 for a bottle of Stoli that would normally cost $25. And likewise, the people who pay this have their reasons: to be seen in the VIP section, and to feel super duper important. This whole liquor commission business strikes me as a good bit of nonsense!
Posted by oz115 at August 15, 2006 11:34 AM