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Hostess Bar Pricing System

Understanding the pricing system of a hostess bar can seem daunting at first, but with a clear breakdown, you can approach your first visit with confidence. Here's a detailed explanation of the various components you might encounter in a hostess bar's billing structure. Keep in mind that not all these charges will apply simultaneously; it varies by hostess bars/clubs and the choices you make during your visit.

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1. Set Fee: This is the initial charge for a predetermined amount of time spent in the bar, often covering the first hour or set period.
2. Venue Nomination Fee: This charge applies if you choose a specific hostess to entertain you upon arrival, rather than being paired randomly.
3. Designated Nomination Fee: If you request the company of a specific hostess with whom you've previously interacted, this higher fee applies, reflecting her guaranteed time and attention.
4. Extension Fee: When you wish to stay beyond the initially agreed time, this fee covers the additional time spent in the establishment.
5. Cast Drink: This is the cost for drinks that you order for the hostess entertaining you, separate from your beverages.
6. Bottle Charge: If you order a full bottle of alcohol, this fee applies. It's often a more cost-effective option for groups or longer stays.
7. Mixers Charge: This covers non-alcoholic beverages mixed with spirits, like sodas or juices.
8. Food Charge: Any food items ordered from the menu will be billed separately.
9. Accompaniment Fee: This fee is charged if you arrange for a hostess to join you at the venue before your visit, usually covering her time and any pre-bar engagement.
10. Consumption Tax: Like most services and goods in Japan, your bill will include a consumption tax.
11. Credit Card Transaction Fee: If you choose to pay with a credit card, some establishments may add a fee for credit card transactions.
12. Corkage Fee: If you bring your own bottle, some places will charge a corkage fee to serve it.
13. TAX and Service Charge: Beyond the consumption tax, some bars add a service charge for the overall service provided during your visit.

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Set Fee

The set fee is a fundamental charge that applies when you enter a hostess bar, acting as a baseline cost for your visit. This fee varies depending on the establishment, with set durations typically ranging from 50 to 90 minutes, though many places standardize on a 60-minute set.

Hostess bars categorize themselves based on the clientele they target, which often reflects in their set fee structure:

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1. Mass-Market Hostess Bar: These bars target the general public and tend to have more affordable set fees, making them accessible to a wider audience. They're ideal for casual visits or those new to the hostess bar scene.
2. Mid-Tier Hostess Bar: Catering to well-to-do salarymen and business managers, these places strike a balance between accessibility and a touch of luxury. The set fees here are higher than at mass-market establishments but still within reach for those with a moderate budget.
3. High-End Hostess Bar: Targeting professionals, executives, and the affluent, these bars offer premium experiences and correspondingly higher set fees. They provide an exclusive ambiance, often with top-tier hostesses skilled in various forms of entertainment and conversation.

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Venue Nomination Fee

The venue nomination fee, typically around 1,000 yen, is the cost associated when you select a specific hostess to join you at your table within the hostess bar. It's essential to recognize that this fee can vary, with some places charging up to 4,000+ yen, so checking beforehand is advised.

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Designated Nomination Fee

The designated nomination fee at a hostess bar typically ranges from 2,000 to 5,000 yen. However, in ultra-luxurious hostess bars, this fee can escalate to several tens of thousands of yen. Therefore, it's crucial to verify the specific charges at the time of your visit to avoid any surprises. This fee is for selecting a particular hostess with whom you've previously interacted or wish to spend time with again, ensuring her exclusive company during your stay.

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Extension Fee

When the initial set time at a hostess bar concludes, an extension fee is typically incurred if you choose to stay longer. Most hostess bars will ask if you wish to extend your time before your current session ends. However, be aware that some bars might automatically extend your stay, so it's essential to be cognizant of the bar's policy.

The duration of an extension can vary by hostess bar and might be structured as either an additional full set or a half set.

The cost of the extension will align with the duration:

• For a full set extension, you might be charged the same as the initial set.
• For a half set extension (e.g., if the initial set is 60 minutes and the extension is 30 minutes), the charge could be half the price of a full set.

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Cast Drink

The set fee at a hostess bar often includes "house bottle" drinks, which are unlimited beverages for you, but this doesn't cover the cost of drinks for the hostess. To share a drinking experience with the hostess, you'll need to order drinks for her as well.

Here's a general idea of the prices for hostess drinks:

• Soft drinks: Starting from 800 yen
• Cocktails: Starting from 1,000 yen
• Shochu with water: Starting from 1,000 yen
• Glass of wine: Starting from 1,000 yen
• Glass of champagne: Starting from 2,000 yen

Many hostess bars provide a menu with drink prices listed, allowing you to check the cost before placing your order for the hostess. This helps ensure that you can enjoy your time together while managing your spending effectively.

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Bottle Charge

Ordering bottle service, such as champagne or wine, is another option at a hostess bar that allows you to share drinks with the hostess, potentially offering a more cost-effective way to manage your bill.

Here's a rough guide to bottle prices:

• Shochu: Starting from 3,000 yen
• Whiskey: Starting from 7,000 yen
• Champagne: Starting from 10,000 yen

The prices for bottles can vary widely, especially for premium options. For example, high-end champagne can cost several hundred thousand yen per bottle.

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Mixer Charge

When you order a bottle of spirits at a hostess bar and choose to have it mixed with water or soda, an additional charge for the mixer, known as the "split charge," may apply. This fee can vary, with some bars imposing it and others not.

Here's a general idea of mixer charges:

• Water or hot water: Around 500 yen
• Soda or carbonated water: Around 700 yen
• Green tea: Around 500 yen

While these are typical prices, at more upscale hostess bars, the charge for mixers can exceed 1,000 yen. Some establishments may offer mixers by the decanter, which means you pay for the quantity you order. It's worth noting that ice is usually included in the price, so you shouldn't face additional charges for it later.

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Food Charge

Indeed, ordering food at a hostess bar will incur additional charges.

Here's an idea of what you might expect to pay for various food items:

• Dry snacks (like mixed nuts or simple candies): Starting from 1,000 yen
• Appetizers (such as edamame or prosciutto): Starting from 1,000 yen
• Main dishes (like sandwiches or spaghetti): Starting from 3,000 yen
• Desserts (such as fruit platters or chocolate): Starting from 5,000 yen

Generally, the cost-performance ratio for food in hostess bars isn't very high, so it's advisable to view these offerings as mere accompaniments to your drinks rather than a full meal. To make the most of your visit, it's recommended to dine beforehand, allowing you to focus on the experience and ambiance of the hostess bar without relying on their food menu for sustenance.

Accompaniment Fee

The concept of "dohan" or accompaniment refers to dining out with your favorite hostess before her shift at the hostess bar, followed by entering the bar together. While the accompaniment fee ranges from 1,000 to 5,000 yen, it's crucial to note that this often leads to an automatic designated nomination (hon shimei) charge once you enter the bar with her.

Here's a breakdown of the charges associated with accompaniment:

• Accompaniment Fee: This is the cost for the privilege of the pre-work engagement with the hostess.
• Designated Nomination Fee: Upon entering the bar together, this fee applies for her exclusive company during your stay.

On average, you might expect to pay around 2,000 yen for the accompaniment fee plus an additional 3,000 yen for the designated nomination fee, totaling approximately 5,000 yen. Additionally, any meals, drinks, or gifts you provide for the hostess during the accompaniment will add to your overall expenses.

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Consumption Tax

Consumption tax is an unavoidable charge at hostess bars, and since food and drinks are considered dining out, the reduced tax rate of 8% does not apply. Instead, the standard consumption tax rate is applied. The way this tax is presented on your bill can vary depending on the hostess bar's billing practices.

• "税サ" (Zeisa) Notation: Indicates that both the consumption tax (TAX) and service charge are included in the prices.
• "サ別" (Sabet) Notation: Indicates that the service charge and consumption tax are not included in the listed prices and will be added separately.

If the bill is marked with "税サ," it means there are no additional charges for consumption tax as it's already incorporated into the listed prices.

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Credit Card Transaction Fee

When you opt to pay with a credit card at a hostess bar, be aware that the establishment may add a credit card transaction fee to your bill. This fee is what the bar pays to the card company for processing the payment, and some venues choose to pass this cost on to the customer.

If a hostess bar applies this additional charge for credit card payments, the total amount you see on your bill may differ from what is ultimately charged to your card. Establishments should explain any such discrepancies in advance, ensuring you're aware of the exact amount you'll be paying.

For those who prefer to avoid these potential extra charges, paying in cash is a wise alternative. This way, you can ensure that the amount you hand over aligns precisely with the service and product charges you've incurred during your visit to the hostess bar.

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Corkage Fee

Bringing your own food or drinks into a hostess bar is known as "bringing in," and while some bars allow it, there's typically a fee associated with this convenience.

• Drink Bottles: Starting from 3,000 yen
• Food Items (such as pizza or sushi): Starting from 1,000 yen

Most hostess bars discourage or prohibit the bringing in of drink bottles because it doesn't contribute to their revenue. As for food, some hostess bars may have partnerships with nearby restaurants, allowing you to order in. However, even for these externally ordered meals, a bringing-in fee is usually added, often about 10% of the food's price.

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TAX and Service Charge

The TAX and service charge is a crucial aspect to pay attention to, as it often leads to unexpected amounts in your final bill. This is because the TAX and service charge is applied to all the services availed, including those previously mentioned.

The percentage of TAX and service charges can vary by the establishment and even by region (urban vs. rural).

Guidelines for TAX and Service Charges:

• In rural areas with tax and service included: 10% to 15% (typically around 15%)
• In rural areas with tax and service separate: 10% to 20% (typically around 20%) + 10% consumption tax
• In urban areas with tax and service included: 20% to 40% (typically around 30%)
• In urban areas with tax and service separate: 15% to 30% (typically around 20%) + 10% consumption tax

Example of Billing:

Let's say your charges are as follows:

• Set fee: 5,000 yen
• Venue nomination for one: 1,000 yen
• One cast drink: 1,000 yenTotal before TAX and service charges: 7,000 yen

Calculating this total with the different scenarios could look like this:

• In rural areas with tax and service included: 8,050 yen
• In rural areas with service separate: 8,400 yen + consumption tax = 9,240 yen total
• In urban areas with tax and service included: 9,100 yen
• In urban areas with service separate: 8,400 yen + consumption tax = 9,240 yen total

For higher amounts, the disparity in the final bill becomes even more pronounced. A 20,000 yen charge with a 40% tax and service fee in an urban setting would escalate to 28,000 yen.

Calculating these costs while inebriated can be challenging, so understanding the pricing structure beforehand and ordering judiciously can help avoid any post-visit sticker shock.