Ready to go clubbing? App lets users specify budget, petition clubs
Gone, or at least diminished, are the days of needing to know someone at a nightclub to get a deal.
PartyPetition, an iPhone app and website that lets users specify a budget and petition up to five clubs, launched Monday. An Android version is in the works.
The app is the idea of former Hard Rock Hotel General Manager Yale Rowe and nightclub managing partners Greg Costello and Mike Myers, who have worked in hospitality for 20-plus years.
“The real value historically has been having relationships and knowing someone,” Rowe said. “This gives you the opportunity not to have to cold call a guy whose job is to have you spend as much as you can.”
So far, the team has partnered with Hyde, Pure, Chateau, LAX, Ghostbar, Foundation Room and Drai’s. They’re working on partnerships with Tao Group, which owns Tao, Marquee and Lavo. The team is also working on partnerships with the Light Group.
On petitions, users browse a club calendar, choose an event, and specify how many men and women in a party and preferences such as best table location and premium liquor. The club can choose to throw in extras, such as drink mixers or promotional liquors, to sweeten the deal.
Though petitioning a club can facilitate a discount, getting bottle service is still expensive, easily adding up to thousands of dollars.
“It’s not to say you can’t get a table for $700,” Rowe said, “but $1,200 or $1,400 is more likely. But you also get more value. The idea behind the concept is you’re creating a competitive environment with your budget, and venues are giving you more than their standard offerings.”
PartyPetition costs petitioners 3 percent and nightclubs 10 percent of the retainer.
The petition value includes tax, tip and gratuity.
The app benefits not only clubbers but also the clubs, Costello said.
Clubs can see profiles of petitioners and events that other clubs are hosting.
Clubs get analytics about the bids they’ve placed, and the venue that wins a bid gets the customer’s information.
“In this day and age as a table operator, there’s nothing scarier than not knowing if people are coming,” Rowe said. “Others don’t want to come if the club’s not full.”
Contact reporter Kristy Totten at ktotten@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3809. Follow @kristy_tea on Twitter.
