Beginner's guide to the KTV experience in Shanghai - Part 2/2
Mid-low priced KTVs
These places are still located in pretty central areas. These places charge around 500-700 for a bottle of Chivas. Some places rolled it into a package of around 800+ which includes all the mixers and fruits and stuff. Some of these places offer all you can drink beer package for 600 up to 4 people(guys) inclusive of room charge. The rooms are slightly more dated. The hostess selection is usually quite small and from other provinces. You can find a gem once in a while in these places. Some of the girls are very new to this and do not really know how to react. Hostess tip ranges from 200-300. LT is usually 1000. ST usually 800. Places in this category Sports Hotel Level 4 斯迫特酒店(Xujiahui), International Club (Hengshan Road). Not suitable to bring your customers.
Low priced KTVs
These places are in the outlying areas of Shanghai. The cheapest ones are out in the Shanghai countryside (it is not as far out as you think). Bottle of Chivas (if they have it) is around 400-500. Vodka is around 250-300. Beer is 20-30rmb per small bottle/can. Room is usually free but with low minimum spending amount. Shaoye and Xiaomei’s tips is usually 100. Mommy is 200. Tips for Hostess is around 200. To take out the girl ST 400-600, LT 600-1000 (just a guage, it is totally up to your negotiation skills and the situation). I will leave you to seek these ones out. I only know a couple of these kinds of places. Definitely a no-no to bring your customers.
More Advice:
- If you entertain a lot or really love the KTV scene, you should try getting memberships. They usually comes with free alcohol in the packages and over a long run is substantially cheaper.
- Knowing Mandarin is very important in this scene. Most hostesses are very bad in English. I have been able to arrange for Japanese, Korean speaking hostesses for my customers though. English is harder.
- Always ask for promotions. There might be deep discounts for certain kind of drinks. Always ask the manager/mommy if they can comp the fruits, snacks or mixers.
- If you want to take a girl back for sure, make sure you tell that in advance to the mommy before you make the selection. Some hostess will lie and agree so they get to sit with you and make that tip. They will find an excuse later to avoid going back with you. If that happens, talk to the mommy and get a replacement and send this one out without giving her tip. And if you are going to take a girl back, do not pay in advance, and do not give the room sitting tip. It is inclusive and give it in the morning before she leaves.
This information is not much but I hope you enjoy and can benefit from these comments.
- LuvGangsta