Las Vegas Alcohol question - free? really??

[TinkBride]

Is it true that if you are actively playing in the casino (even at the slots) that alcohol is free as long as you tip? Last time DH was in Vegas (10 years ago) he said he drank for free in the casinos and only had to pay tips......is this still true?

 

[sonnyjane]

Yes, still true. How often they come around will vary but as long as you're sitting at a table or slot for a bit, a waitress will come by eventually. The more you tip, usually the more you'll see someone the drinks are cheap - just house wine, bottled beer, or fairly weak mixed drinks (not top shelf) but it's better than nothing!

 

[everylastbreath]

HAHAHA, nothings FREE! Yeah you have to tip, but I can tell you that I have lost $100 waiting for a "free" drink... so just be aware of it, and sometimes it's just cheaper to stop at the bar!! hahaha

 

[sonnyjane]

HAHAHA, nothings FREE! Yeah you have to tip, but I can tell you that I have lost $100 waiting for a "free" drink... so just be aware of it, and sometimes it's just cheaper to stop at the bar!! hahaha

SOOOO true. Vegas has this down to a science. They know that in the time you place your drink order to many minutes later when it actually arrives, you can lose hundreds, but that people will sit around waiting for their drink to arrive! Blackjack is a terrible game to sit around and wait for drinks. I would probably lose my money less quickly if I just threw it out of a moving vehicle's window. Pai Gow Poker is a good "drinking game" because you tend to tie the dealer a lot, which means you don't win or lose, you just sit at the table for a while, so it's not as painful to sit and drink there a bit

If you're gambling anyway, then yes, it's a nice perk, but certainly don't gamble thinking you'll get free drinks because I agree with the PP, you'll be better off heading to the bar

 

[everylastbreath]

I would probably lose my money less quickly if I just threw it out of a moving vehicle's window.

Now I just go to the pool, pay for a big drink ($18/$20) and it's a WIN WIN, think of all the $ I saved!!

 

[QueenDoOver]

Yes, still true. How often they come around will vary but as long as you're sitting at a table or slot for a bit, a waitress will come by eventually. The more you tip, usually the more you'll see someone the drinks are cheap - just house wine, bottled beer, or fairly weak mixed drinks (not top shelf) but it's better than nothing!

I beg to differ. Funny story about my "elopement" to Vegas and free drinks. 10 years ago yesterday, my husband and I were married in Vegas. We had dated for 3 years, and he was a confirmed bachelor at age 37. We were engaged and had decided to get married in Vegas since I was not a stand up in front of a bunch of people person and our families were spread over many states. We planned a 4 day trip and on day 3 we still were not married(can you say confirmed bachelor jitters?).
I sat down next to my future dear husband (fdh) and when the cocktail waitress came around, ordered a Crown Royal on the rocks. MY fdh looked at me and said, "They'll give you crown royal here?" He started ordering those instead of the weak house drinks, and we were married later that night. I am pretty sure I have free Vegas Crown Royal to thank!

We are celebrating our 10 year anniversary in Vegas at the end of the month. We love to visit there, and they will serve you what ever you ask for, if you are playing and tipping.

Happy Drinking!

Tracey

 

[VAN]

For the most part this is true.

If you are actively playing, they will bring you free drinks. You don't HAVE to tip, but if you don't you will look like a schmuck and it is unlikely the waitress will notice you again.

Normally the tip is $1 per beverage (whether alcohol or not) ... at the time you place your order, be curteous and get your tip money out. The waitress will be on a "mission" and will drop off the drink quickly, so be ready with your tip money. In most instances she will come and go quickly.

If you were to go sit up at a bar that had slots/VP, you may want to find out if the drinks are complimentary. Sometimes the bartender will need to see you play a certain amount. Even though it seems cheesy, ASK first. I've been surprised in the past ... only happened once. Again, be generous with your tip and you will get good service.

Not every drink will be complimentary, however, the waitress will let you know if the cost is extra and you can adjust accordingly. I think when my kids just turned 21 they wanted to order Red Bull and vodka ... I think the Red Bull was extra. Sometimes the real premium liquors are extra as well.

If in doubt, ask. Believe me, the waitresses/bartenders have seen and heard everything. Just don't expect to get served if you choose not to tip.

 

[TinkBride]

Oh I would definitely tip. I guess I just found it hard to believe that alcohol could ever be "free" considering how expensive it is in restaurants, etc.

We do plan on playing slots while we are out there. But, I am not going to voluntarily lose money over and over for a free drink.......lol

But, it is nice to know that we may score a couple of "free" drinks while playing . I just truly did not believe my husband when he told me that!

 

[skiingfast]

If you were to go sit up at a bar that had slots/VP, you may want to find out if the drinks are complimentary. Sometimes the bartender will need to see you play a certain amount. Even though it seems cheesy, ASK first. I've been surprised in the past ... only happened once. Again, be generous with your tip and you will get good service.

We do plan on playing slots while we are out there. But, I am not going to voluntarily lose money over and over for a free drink.......lol

What Van is referring to it a kind of exception. The casinos have bars in them, somtimes against walls or on an island in the middle. The bar of the bar has games built into it, electronic slots or VP=video poker. So when you play those you are sitting at the bar, the cocktail waitresses won't come by offering drinks, the bar tender will serve you instead.

The bar tender won't give you a free drink just because you walk up. He/she will give you a comp drink if they know you are playing.

 

[woody73]

. . . I guess I just found it hard to believe that alcohol could ever be "free" considering how expensive it is in restaurants, etc.

Restaurants are in the business of selling food and beverage.

Casinos are in the business of selling gambling. As an enticement to those who gamble, they offer "free" stuff -- like drinks, meals, rooms, and shows.

Woody

 

[unclefuz]

Just stick to the penny slots and bet as little as possible! You'll get the most value out of your drinks then.

 

[sjs314]

We stayed at the Luxur and that is where I played the slots, I had one waitress/server offer me a drink during the 3 days I was there and quite honestly I did not see many walking about the times I was there playing either.....bad timing maybe

 

[VAN]

We stayed at the Luxur and that is where I played the slots, I had one waitress/server offer me a drink during the 3 days I was there and quite honestly I did not see many walking about the times I was there playing either.....bad timing maybe

It could be bad timing; however, I also think that drink service is not what it used to be when the economy was better. There have been times when we did not get served for 40 minutes and then suddenly you saw all the servers. It was explained as a "shift change" time. But I do think some places have really cut back on drink service and it can be "hit or miss".

 

[Jordanblackpool]

I went to Las Vegas in March and we had a great time and when in Casinos/walking round hotels, hardly paid for a drink all week.

We stayed at the MGM, what we used to do was head for the 1c slots, put a dollar in each and play, putting into $2 max. By the time we had gone through our $2 we had ordered and recieved our drinks, adding in a dollar tip.

I went to one of the bars on the first day and it was $8.50 for a beer, so we reckon between us in a week we saved over $500 on beer! (Yes 100 beers sound alot, but were English!)

 

[Stinasmom]

Watch the servers and figure out where they go to get drinks for the gamblers... sometimes through a door to a behind-the-scenes location

Then sit at slots along their path, that way they are always coming by you.

Worked for us... we stuck with Coronas and sometimes had more than one going at a time

 

[VegasMike]

Another good way to free booze is at Coyote Ugly at NY NY. Free shots run all night as long as your willing to join in the fun.

 

[Jordanblackpool]

Another good way to free booze is at Coyote Ugly at NY NY. Free shots run all night as long as your willing to join in the fun.

What does the fun involve...or do I not want the suprise ruining!

 

[VegasMike]

Sample game for free shlots...

5 guys on one side holding hands, 5 gals on the other side holding hands. Pass the hulahoop down the row and back without letting go of hands. Winning team gets a free shot. Games like this go all night. Dance contests ( everyone that dances gets a free shot ). This is good clean fun type of stuff.

What does the fun involve...or do I not want the suprise ruining!

 

[low saturn]

I've sat at the nickel slots at a couple casinos and pretended to play and got free drinks.

Just sat there next to a few of my friends. Just talked and people watched. We did throw in a few nickels from time to time.

 

[dgbg100106]

I am taking my husband to Vegas for the first time in his life.... He will be 50 when we go.

I have no idea where to go or what to do, but thanks for the advice on the drinks...