How much do cocktail waitresses make in LV?

[Senzi]

I live in LA and am planing to move to Las Vegas .... the reason why is to work as a cocktail waitress. I heard that they make good money ... well at least not bad money.
So aprox. how much does a cocktail waitress make a day/night/shift? (tips of course, i know they get paid mini. wages)

For example, if let's say i get a job in Bellagio, Wynn, Mirage .... ????

How money hours do they usually work a day/week?
Is it better to be a cocktail waitress in a poker room or slots (casino) ???

How hard is it to get a job? i know looks are very important, and i think that i would pass that test no problem heh But i have no waitress experience!

How should i apply? (never had to look for a job in casino )


thanx!

[Senzi]

*how MANY (not money ... like i wrote previous ... ups, mistake

[Bluntfacts]

If you are in your 20s, and have the looks, you can make a lot of money, especially at places like the Palms and the Hard Rock. Generally, the waitresses working the tables games pit/area make the most. $50K a year and higher would be easily attainable if you get the hours, and especially on the evening shift. Even at the local casinos near me in Summerlin, I see the girls take home $200 to $300 a night

[food4u]

Bluntfacts is right,you can do quite well working cocktails in Vegas.The best place to work cocktails is the strip or near strip. And a lot of those jobs are through the Culinary Union http://www.culinaryunion226.org/ Or you could try going straight to the human resources dept. of any specific hotel you had in mind.The problem with getting in to some of the big joints is that some women once they get a lucrative shift lock onto it and stay there as long as they can.It doesn't hurt to know someone with some juice in this town as that is how a lot of jobs are landed. Good Luck

[Papadon]

Originally Posted by Senzi I live in LA and am planing to move to Las Vegas .... the reason why is to work as a cocktail waitress. I heard that they make good money ... well at least not bad money. So aprox. how much does a cocktail waitress make a day/night/shift? (tips of course, i know they get paid mini. wages) For example, if let's say i get a job in Bellagio, Wynn, Mirage .... ???? How money hours do they usually work a day/week? Is it better to be a cocktail waitress in a poker room or slots (casino) ??? How hard is it to get a job? i know looks are very important, and i think that i would pass that test no problem heh But i have no waitress experience! How should i apply? (never had to look for a job in casino ) thanx!

If you don't personally know somebody there that can vouch for you, you will not work in any of the locations you named. And with no experience, knowing somebody won't help except to maybe get you into a very low-wage menial task job of some kind (think of cleaning ashtrays or picking up litter). If you can find a job at all with no experience, you will work in a very small dive of some kind, in a very bad area of town, on graveyard shift until you can "know somebody" that can vouch for you at the better properties after you get some experience under your belt.

I'm sorry you are in a position to "have to look for a job" in a casino. Hopefully something will come along for you where you are, and you can save yourself from the horrific disaster awaiting you in Las Vegas.

[FLgator]

Senzi, If you have the drive and REALLY want to move and make it in LV, you WILL find a job in a great casino. Please don't take seriously what Papadon wrote.

Many years ago, I moved to a new state and new absolutely nobody and I mean 'nobody'. I took it upon me to go look for work in the places 'I' wanted to work. I presented myself properly and showed them I could do the work - I barely had any experience. It took alot of work and determination but guess what? I did get the job I wanted and made tons of $$$. I worked there for 2 yrs and moved back home (winters were too cold for me) I was told there would always be a job for me should I ever decide to come back.

All this to tell you if YOU want it, YOU can do it, and don't let ANYONE tell you otherwise! Good luck!

[olecapt]

Originally Posted by Papadon If you don't personally know somebody there that can vouch for you, you will not work in any of the locations you named. And with no experience, knowing somebody won't help except to maybe get you into a very low-wage menial task job of some kind (think of cleaning ashtrays or picking up litter). If you can find a job at all with no experience, you will work in a very small dive of some kind, in a very bad area of town, on graveyard shift until you can "know somebody" that can vouch for you at the better properties after you get some experience under your belt. I'm sorry you are in a position to "have to look for a job" in a casino. Hopefully something will come along for you where you are, and you can save yourself from the horrific disaster awaiting you in Las Vegas.

AQhhh Papdon I thought you swore off this silliness...Ahh well..

Papadon is a well known Vegas loser. Came to town, spent a little time and could not cut it in this competitive environ. So he ran off to Long Beach and found some sort of a sinecure positon requiring that you regularly breath to be paid a sizable salary by the municipality

Unfortunately Papdon took his inability to succeed in a competitve world to be an indictment of his environment. Though he was a limited talent loser he insisted that he could have lost only to a corrupt system. And he sticks to that line to this day...if they would not hire Papadon they must be corrupt.

So please take his rantings with a large grain of salt.

Hmmm why would a guy who thinds Vegas corrupt and impenetrable to those merely possessing talent spend his time on LV boards? Maybe he is looking for redemption? Make he is trying to get even? What evil lurks in the heart of Papadon!

Now stop or I won't buy you the Stenier's Hamburger.

Top LV cocktail waitresses push 100Gs. You need the right place and seniority to do this. Find a place to start...likely downtown and then make all the friends you can. It will come in time. Papadon is right that you generally do not start at the Wynn.

[kilgore trout]

As a well known Vegas winner, I would recommend staying where you are.

You are going to be working midnights with all the slovenly drunks and pcoket fishermen otherwise.

Why become just another Vegas horror story?

[Evan]

In my experiece some people don't mind and even prefer working midnights.

Additionally, LV may very well not be the best place for this person, but how can one logically recommend that she stay where she is without knowing anything about her present situation that apparently has her contemplating leaving?

[doxie]

my mother in law is a cocktail server. she has been doing it since she was in her early 20's. you will need to gain experience so start out at a local casino (station casino's are good) they will put you on a "crap" shift w/not to many patrons for a few days a week until you get good. Then it generally moves up by seniority...by that time you might have the shift you want making good money. if you then want to move to the strip casinos they will see that you have been working at xxxxx casino for xx years and you have a better shot.

they tax differently on servers than on dealers. you only make minimum wage and they tax you on that and then basically say that you make "X" amount in tips on average even though my mom doesn't she makes more they still tax her on what they think she is making....this holds true to any other servers. if you need more info pm me and we can chat.

[Papadon]

Originally Posted by olecapt Now stop or I won't buy you the Stenier's Hamburger. Top LV cocktail waitresses push 100Gs. You need the right place and seniority to do this. Find a place to start...likely downtown and then make all the friends you can. It will come in time. Papadon is right that you generally do not start at the Wynn.

No Jim!!! PLEASE!!! Take anything...... but don't take my Stenier Burger!!

And Jim!! Why am I the bad guy here?!! You said the same thing I did!! You just flowered it up a bit. It's pretty, and pleasing to read, yes. But that's not my style. Straight up and nuttin' but the truth.

And I want you to know that I have printed out that last sentence and had it bronzed! The part where you said "Papadon is right" ...... it gets me right here Jim .... I didn't think I would ever live to hear those words from you..... sniff sniff....I have to go now..... I'm getting all blubbery and emotional.

[Papadon]

Originally Posted by olecapt Hmmm why would a guy who thinds Vegas corrupt and impenetrable to those merely possessing talent spend his time on LV boards? Maybe he is looking for redemption? Make he is trying to get even? What evil lurks in the heart of Papadon!

Nah...... you're just a fun guy. And it's just a blast to sit here getting paid a salary that could only be dreamed of in Vegas, and work you up to a frothy lather by just typing a few silly words.

[Hanshi III]

Check out

www.cocktaildoll.com

[Papadon]

Originally Posted by Hanshi III Check out www.cocktaildoll.com

Thank you Hanshi III. Oh Jim... ..... if you look at this site, check out the section called "So you want my job?"

I rest my case, Sir.

P. S. Yes, I still like my burger medium-well with everything on it and no mayo, mustard instead. And oh yeah, extra pickles. And since you're feeling so generous, how bout some onion rings?

[debwallace3]

Hello Senzi,
I was a cocktail waitress in Reno back in the 60's early 70's. I did make top money. My kids thought we were rich. I never was crazy over the job as back then your juice was who you slept with....I don't belive having a top job in Vegas is any different than it was years ago. Anyway I needed a top job to raise those kids by myself.
Now in Vegas it use to be that when you join the union that you had to work food for the first 6 months. You need to check on this. Most of the casinos are with the union.
You need to go to a smaller place so you can learn the drinks etc etc before you try a big place. Yes. You need to meet as many people as you can......do the networking. The top jobs still need "juice".
A lot of the toke jobs now have to claim the true figure to the IRS.....I know the dealers are "black boxed" in many places.
I think Vegas is one hell of a fun place. You will have to watch for the pitfalls......gambling....drinking......drugs....n o-good men

(Vegas is loaded with them).
Now after you do land the job keep looking for something else to do as you really don't want to grow old cocktailing. It's tough to look young forever and the cocktailing is hard on you physically. I quit cocktailing at the age of 32, Started my own business and never looked back.
If you treat all people well and keep joking and smiling money will fall all over your tray. Everywhere I worked I always made more than anyone because of my personality.
Good Luck to ya. Deb Wallace

[olecapt]

Originally Posted by Papadon Thank you Hanshi III. Oh Jim... ..... if you look at this site, check out the section called "So you want my job?" I rest my case, Sir. P. S. Yes, I still like my burger medium-well with everything on it and no mayo, mustard instead. And oh yeah, extra pickles. And since you're feeling so generous, how bout some onion rings?

What are you talking abput Papa...we basically agreed in this subject I think. Note by the way that our expert stays away from money.

[Papadon]

Originally Posted by olecapt What are you talking abput Papa...we basically agreed in this subject I think. Note by the way that our expert stays away from money.

I don't know!! Just gloating I guess.

I hadn't specifically noticed that, but you make a good point. I think the "expert" stayed away from money because it's subject to such a wide flucuation from property to property. I felt like she was addressing the unusual atmosphere there in what it takes to become a top-earning cocktail waitress in Vegas. And I think it quite well warned the poster that she could not expect to come to that town and just walk into a good paying cocktail waitress job. It's a long road to that point and she needs to be aware of the reality of what awaits her in that arena. I think it did an excellent job of that.

[florence corngold]

If you can afford it, get loans or grants and go to UNLV in the hotel, gambling, casino department. Find a job, go to school and down the way run a hotel, casino or a area in one of these. Also, convert to mormonism it might help. Not sure. Also, if Mormon you can just cash in and have lots of babies.

[Ramsey]

Originally Posted by florence corngold Also, convert to mormonism it might help. Not sure. Also, if Mormon you can just cash in and have lots of babies.

What? Bwhahaha.

[omniscient]

Originally Posted by Papadon If you don't personally know somebody there that can vouch for you, you will not work in any of the locations you named. And with no experience, knowing somebody won't help except to maybe get you into a very low-wage menial task job of some kind (think of cleaning ashtrays or picking up litter). If you can find a job at all with no experience, you will work in a very small dive of some kind, in a very bad area of town, on graveyard shift until you can "know somebody" that can vouch for you at the better properties after you get some experience under your belt. I'm sorry you are in a position to "have to look for a job" in a casino. Hopefully something will come along for you where you are, and you can save yourself from the horrific disaster awaiting you in Las Vegas.

This sounded like some LA bullcrap to me. Maybe that's how it's done in LA but in Vegas I am sure that Wynn didn't know all 10,000 of the people that needed to be hired. They need people here. If you are a hot young sexy woman you will get a job. Of course earnings may not be as high when you first start but work hard and you can do well.

I think some people that come to Vegas are complete idiots. This is a fast growing hustle and bustle city and if you can't take competition then you should never come here. Vegas has a lot of opportunity for those with ambition and drive.

Papadon if you went to NYC you would leave in half the time you spent in Vegas.

[Papadon]

Originally Posted by omniscient This sounded like some LA bullcrap to me. Maybe that's how it's done in LA but in Vegas I am sure that Wynn didn't know all 10,000 of the people that needed to be hired. They need people here. If you are a hot young sexy woman you will get a job. Of course earnings may not be as high when you first start but work hard and you can do well. I think some people that come to Vegas are complete idiots. This is a fast growing hustle and bustle city and if you can't take competition then you should never come here. Vegas has a lot of opportunity for those with ambition and drive. Papadon if you went to NYC you would leave in half the time you spent in Vegas.

Yeah, sure pal. Stick with the Mr. Mom gig dude.

[omniscient]

I am making 50k a year at least as Mr. Mom...and before this I owned a retail establishment that has now allowed me NOT to ever work for anyone again. I just made $4500 yesterday on a deal as a matter of fact....lol

[Papadon]

Originally Posted by omniscient I am making 50k a year at least as Mr. Mom...and before this I owned a retail establishment that has now allowed me NOT to ever work for anyone again. I just made $4500 yesterday on a deal as a matter of fact....lol

My hat's off to ya pal. In the famous words of Tennessee Ernie Ford, "Well bless your little pea-pickin' heart"! But to be fair, I doubt you did it in the occupation of the theme of this thread, schlepin' cocktails.

P.S. The avatar is way cool.

[BBMW]

Senzi may have long checked out of this thread, but...

You may have to do some dues paying at a smaller place on bad shifts. But if you can do so, I'd time your move for when a new casino is staffing up. When a big house has to staff up from scratch, that creates alot of opportunities.

If you've has a few months in at a break-in house, and a new casino starts staffing, you've got a good shot at getting a job there. Alternatively the new house will cherry pick staff from the other casinos, creating openings there. It helps if you have the look that fit their desired profile (young, hot, and, given the 'uniforms' they wear', well endowed).

I don't know if new casinos will take completely inexperience cocktailers, but I wouldn't be too surprised if they did.

If you missed the Wynn boat, the next major strip casino to open will be the Venitian phase II (the Palazzo?). I think that will be sometime next year.

[Greg]

2-3 million a year; come'on y'all, be a stripper or escort, or better yet a POLITICIAN