In New York City, club crawlers can pop into bars and order bottle service, pouring drinks freely through the night.
But in Boston, nightclubs must abide by stricter laws, and have servers babysit the bottle, rather than leave it at a customer’s table.
“It’s kind of a mislabeled scenario,” said Frank Stavrianopoulos, general manager at District on Lincoln Street. “It’s not like New York where you have a bottle set at the table.”
The regulations, peculiar in some other major cities, were highlighted yesterday as three Boston bars went before the city’s Licensing Board to request “bottle service.”
Red Lantern, Kennedy’s Midtown and Howl at the Moon all applied for Boston’s version of at-table service.
“[Red Lantern] currently has reservations several weeks out and it’s an accommodation for these guests for special occasions when they are all drinking the same bottle,” said attorney Karen Simao, who was representing the restaurant.
At District, Stavrianopoulos said people only pay for the amount they drink, rather than the entire bottle.
He likened the service to having a “personal bartender,” who monitors drink consumption.
“When you get visitors from other cities, they look at you like you have two heads,” he said.
The three establishments that petitioned for the service yesterday also must employ “bottle hosts,” the only ones allowed to handle the alcohol.
The board is scheduled to make a decision on the requests today.
“They have to show … they will be able to provide bottle service while staying within the confines of the current law,” said Jean Lorizio, council to the board.
NYC never needs a bottle sitter
In New York City, Marquee bar leaves the booze at your service.
Bottle minimum is $350.
Must have 4 to 5 people for every bottle.
People can request bottle service at the door.
Bottle is left with patrons.
Mixers are at the table to make your own drinks.
A patron decides how much they want to put in a drink.
Follow Steve Annear on Twitter @steveannear
