This issue’s Special Focus explores what it takes to create elevated customer experiences and the people behind the scenes who make it all run seamlessly. From VIP hosts and general managers to entertainers and bartenders, we gathered insights on the VIP services driving success, the industries to look to for new ideas, and how to turn your guests into club ambassadors.
(Note: This Special Focus was published in the May 2026 issues of ED Magazine.)
The difference between a one-time visit and a loyal, high-spending customer often comes down to one thing: experience. The right offerings don’t just enhance the environment, they shape perception, increase spend per guest and keep customers coming back for more. In our Special Focus, we’re looking at the products and services that create enhanced experiences for customers, and the people who make it all happen.
Beau Joie Champagne
No VIP service menu is complete without high-quality champagne options. Jim Hughes, EVP of Global Sales at Beau Joie tells us what makes Beau Joie stand out and how clubs can enhance their champagne offerings for an elevated customer experience.
What characteristics define Beau Joie?
Beau Joie champagnes have little to no sugar. Our cuvees have 3.5 grams of sugar per liter or less, creating a clean, crisp flavor profile and no hangover. Most Brut champagnes have 8-15 grams per liter, as a comparison. But if it’s sweet that your guests are seeking, we have that covered as well with our Demi-Sec “Sugar King!”
What features enhance Beau Joie’s luxury appeal?
We have a patented bottle design encased in metalwork that keeps the champagne cold for 30-40 minutes longer than a standard bottle, eliminating the need for an ice bucket. The design also features a “non-slip,” rubber thumb grip in the punt of the bottle for stable pouring.
How can clubs sell more champagne and accentuate it as part of the VIP experience?
We provide staff education, not only on Beau Joie products, but on the champagne category itself, which empowers staff to sell champagne with confidence. We also help run fun staff contests to help drive champagne sales.
Why should clubs carry Beau Joie?
The adult nightclub industry strives to create a unique and memorable experience for its guests, not just “another night out.” Beau Joie Champagne is built on that same principle. We offer a unique champagne experience, not just another bottle with bubbles in it.
For more information, visit www.beaujoiechampagne.com or contact Jim at 949-728-8264 or jim@toastspirits.com.
Club Grid Venue Management Platform
When it comes to overseeing club workflows, Club Grid’s all-in-one venue management platform turns chaos into order. Built specifically for adult nightclubs, it replaces fragmented, manual workflows with a centralized system that manages everything from staff and entertainer check-ins to VIP rooms and guest tracking. Club Grid CEO & Founder Eric Zhivalyuk offers a preview of the platform and the features clubs can utilize to enhance customer experience.
What makes Club Grid standout from other venue management platforms?
Club Grid is purpose-built for this industry. Adult clubs operate very differently from traditional hospitality, and Club Grid is designed around those real-world workflows. The result is tighter operations, better visibility and a more controlled, scalable business.
How are clubs using Club Grid to create a more seamless, elevated experience for their customers?
Clubs are using our platform to eliminate friction behind the scenes, which directly improves the guest experience. When staff, VIP rooms, entertainers and service flow are all coordinated in one system, everything feels smoother and more intentional to the customer.
Tell us about Club Grid’s customer-facing app feature and how it impacts the guest experience.
Our customer-facing app gives clubs a direct line to their guests beyond a single visit. It allows for personalized offers, VIP invitations, event communication and tailored promotions based on actual guest behavior. This creates a more curated experience for the guest and a more predictable revenue stream for the club. Instead of relying on one-time visits, operators can build ongoing relationships that drive repeat traffic, pre-booked experiences and higher lifetime value.
How can clubs use your platform to recognize and reward high-value or repeat guests in real time?
The platform identifies high-value and repeat guests through visit frequency and spending patterns, allowing clubs to act on that data immediately. That can include prioritizing service, offering upgrades, triggering special offers or extending VIP-level treatment during the visit itself. Real-time recognition is key, because that’s when it has the strongest impact on both experience and spend.
In your opinion, how does making guests feel like VIPs naturally lead to increased revenue?
When guests feel valued, they stay longer, spend more and come back more often. It’s that simple. VIP treatment removes friction and builds trust, which makes guests more comfortable engaging with premium offerings. In nightlife, the experience is the product, so elevating that experience naturally drives higher revenue.
What advice would you give to clubs looking to update their guest experience through technology?
Focus on visibility and fit. Use technology that actually matches how your club operates, not generic systems that force you to adapt. More importantly, look at your guest journey. Identify where the experience breaks down or feels inconsistent, and solve those gaps. The right technology should make the experience smoother, not more complicated.
For more information, visit clubgrid.ai or send an email to eric@clubgrid.ai.
Elegance Upholstery
Today’s guest not only expects high-quality products and services, but they also expect venues to be visually appealing. If a club isn’t worthy of posting to their socials, then it’s not worthy of their hard-earned money. Elegance Upholstery Marketing Manager Desiree Vargas explains how your club’s aesthetic and furniture design not only impact first impressions, but also the length of customer stays and their spending.
Tell us a bit about Elegance Upholstery and the services you offer adult nightclubs.
Elegance Upholstery is a full-service interior manufacturer specializing in hospitality environments. For over 30 years, our team has helped build some of the most recognized hospitality and entertainment venues in the country. We build custom seating, bars, liquor displays, millwork, stone, decorative metal, railings and other interior features all under one roof. We also support venues long after opening through nationwide refurbishment and service programs.
How does furniture design impact a customer’s first impression when they walk into a bar or nightclub?
Furniture is one of the first things guests physically interact with. In VIP areas especially, guests are paying for an elevated experience, not just a table. Luxury comes from seating that feels substantial, comfortable and intentionally designed for the space. Details like deeper lounge seating, premium upholstery, custom stitching, integrated lighting, decorative metals, stone accents and branded elements all help create that upscale feel.
In your experience, how important is comfort in influencing how long guests stay?
Comfort has a direct impact on guest experience. If seating is uncomfortable, cramped or poorly designed, people notice immediately. When guests can relax and enjoy the environment, they stay longer, spend more time in the venue and are more likely to return. Comfort is often overlooked, but it plays a huge role in retention.
What trends in materials, colors or layouts have you noticed that work well in club VIP areas?
We’re seeing a strong shift toward darker, moodier palettes paired with rich textures: high-performance velvets, embossed vinyls, suede looks, warm woods, brass accents and stone details all continue to perform well. Layout-wise, operators are becoming more intentional with VIP functionality, incorporating hidden storage, modular seating, lockable compartments and more thoughtful spacing to create privacy without making sections feel closed off.
In your opinion, how have guest expectations evolved over the last 10 years?
Guest expectations have risen significantly. Today, the physical environment is just as important as the entertainment itself. People expect venues to feel curated, elevated and memorable. The furniture, layout, lighting and finishes all shape that perception. With social media and increased competition, operators understand that the environment is part of the product they’re selling.
What advice would you give to adult nightclubs considering a renovation specifically designed to enhance guest experience?
Start with the guest experience, not just aesthetics. The most successful renovations improve both how a space looks and how it functions. Focus on comfort, thoughtful layouts, durable premium materials and details that enhance service flow and guest experience. The venues that invest in creating an environment people genuinely enjoy spending time in are typically the ones that see the strongest long-term return.
For more information, visit eleganceupholsteryinc.com or send an email to desiree@eleganceupholsteryinc.com.
