by Ryan P. on Just went to the highly anticipated Drai's Hollywood opening last night. Less than 45 minutes after I got to the W (within which the club is located), my night was already ruined. Having booked a table with a $10K bottle minimum, I expected to be treated well (I think that's a reasonable expectation). What table service is supposed to buy you is real estate first and foremost, but also great service from the minute you get there to the minute you leave. The service I experienced at this place was utterly ridiculous. Got there and waited outside in the cold for over 30 minutes to be taken to my table. After my host finally got to me after 30 minutes, he tells me that I have one too many people and can't go in. Funny because I texted him my ratio a week prior and told him that it was going to be 3 guys and 4 girls (which for most people adds up to seven). So he leaves and tells me he has to go check with Jesse Waits (one of the managing partners). Jesse Waits comes over to me and basically yells at me for bringing too many people. No idea who this glorified busboy thinks he is, but whatever. I should have left the club right then and there. One of my friends, who had an early flight the next morning, decides to take one for the team and leaves (again I should have left - I feel bad for letting him leave like that). After all that, another 30 minutes go by and we finally get in. Now inside, the venue is about as nice as any other LA club. The best part is probably the view. Crowd was good on this day, but the problem for Drai's is going to be that it's way too big to sustain that sort of crowd. The successful clubs in LA aren't the megaclubs - they're the small ones that are able to consistently deliver for the paying customers. Drai's also has way too many tables. You can go to clubs in LA that have 10 or less tables and some will still be empty on certain nights. This isn't Vegas. LA is not a destination party city. But hey, maybe they're smarter than I am. Anyways, service inside sucked too. Waitress was awful - ordered Ciroc and she brought me Belvedere (it's midnight at this point and I still haven't had a drink). Asked for Red Bull and it took her 20 minutes to get me some. Music was ok. Way too crowded. Left at 1:30AM. Walked right by my host and Jesse - no goodbye, no thanks for coming, nothing. Ok. I am treated like gold at every other club in LA (love the staff at Voyeur btw). I will never ever be back to Drai's Hollywood, or XS, or Tryst (Vanity best club in Vegas by far), and neither will any of my friends. People should know how to treat customers. I live in LA, go out every week at least 2-3 times, and they have lost my business for life in one night. The way that Jesse and his crew were talking to people was ridiculous. I understand that they had a busy night with a lot on their minds. But I've been to opening nights at a lot of places and always been treated well. Your customers are your most valuable asset - Drai's forgot that last night.
by Tiffany L. on I might be biased because I came here on a Sunday evening and all I could think about is how not to stay out late and how I'd be exhausted the next day. And then I realized I was a huge loser. Anyway, I came here to enjoy a performance my friend was having and it was may I say quite impressive. The dance floor was huge not that I stepped foot on it, but IF I did I would've been able to do a windmill for sure. Most of the people here were quite talented and it seemed like they've been doing this for years. I'd be too embarrassed to do anything. Location kinda sucks since it took me forever to get out there and its not easy to find. I did NOT get shot.
