[Nyororin]

Originally Posted by MMM

Understandably this is one club in Osaka, and supposedly a big/famous one, but I understand their hesitation.

Even in a big and famous one though, that type of money being tossed around isn`t really the norm. It is kind of like a host`s dream to catch the type of customer that will throw that kind of money at him. They`re quite rare - and are usually women who work in 水商売 to begin with. These days they`re getting even rarer because there are fewer rich businessmen willing to toss money at them (thanks to the economy). So most host clubs have sort of changed their philosophy, and aim for repeat low to midrange customers. One 10000yen per-person group of three visit a week is better than one 100,000yen visit a month from a single customer. And having 3 or 4 15000-a-visit regulars to hop between each night is better than having a single 50,000-a-visit customer who demands full attention.
The clubs that relied entirely on the big spenders and didn`t really even allow the low spenders are... well... going out of business left and right.

Those that have taken advantage of the new interest in host clubs that has been fueled by manga and anime are booming. The newer clubs to open seem to be aiming for a more approachable image, and push to have repeat business from regular women instead of occasional big spenders from the 水商売 world.

btw...how do they deal with the bill? if such serious sums of money are involved? let's say there is a girl planing on suicide - she goes there, has time of her life buying best champagne for all the hosts and then rans out leaving business in serious debt.
P.S ok...not necessarily suicide, but how do they determine will you be able to pay? money first?

You show ID when you enter, and they copy down your information.
If you manage to find some way to sneak out - something that would be pretty hard as the policy is having one of the hosts walk you out - I am sure they would waste no time in tracking you down... And if you were dead when they found you, your family.

You seem very well informed about these clubs!

I really think they`re a huge waste of money and are a bit silly, really.
Back a few years ago, I helped someone do a study on the changing relationship between host and hostess clubs. This involved going around to a bunch of clubs and translating for her as she interviewed hosts and managers.
I was also a free-time translator for a while, and was dragged around to hostess and host clubs. Pretty much anywhere will be "foreigner friendly" if you have someone who speaks fluent Japanese with you.
In my opinion, hostess clubs sell sex appeal - host clubs sell conversation. Hostesses are looks #1, talk #2 - hosts are the other way around. I`ve seen hosts that are over 40, not all that attractive, and who are making lots of money. I have never seen a hostess who was over 25 or so. (And if she was, she was the owner and was trying very very hard to still look 25.)
A hostess club can get lots of money out of a first time visitor as, well, drunk men with high libidos will spend tons of money on a hot girl they feel they might have a chance with even if it`s the first time they`ve met.
Host clubs rarely get any real income from first time visitors as they play more to emotions and conversation. Their money comes from women who enjoy talking with the hosts and who will come back time after time for a kind ear and emotional support. This is why host clubs will offer inexpensive pack deals for first time visitors, and sometimes offer similar pack deals if your next visit is within 2 weeks of the last. Hostess clubs obviously value repeat customers too, but men are far more aggressive in pursuing the girls so they usually don`t need to offer that kind of incentive.

There is really a different type of thinking between the two, and a different type of thinking in the customers.