Why Aren't There Any Cocktail Servers who Are Men?

Why aren't there any cocktail servers who are men? Doesn't that violate equal opportunity laws and regulations?

We answered this question a few years ago and here it is again, but with some good comments added from the last time we ran it.

“Generally speaking, an employer wouldn’t be able to hire only female cocktail servers,” attorney Greg Wilken of Endunamo Group, a Las Vegas human-resources consulting firm, gives us the legalese. “A limited exception in employment-discrimination law, however, called a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification (BFOQ), allows employers in very rare circumstances to hire in a way that would otherwise be illegal. It’s most often used by churches and other religious organizations that need to hire only employees of a certain faith. It has been used in the past by Hooters to justify hiring servers who have a certain look. The argument that Hooters has made is that this profile is so intrinsic to their brand that they couldn't hire anyone who doesn’t convey the image they're trying to promote. It’s possible that the casinos have made similar arguments to justify a predominantly female cocktail workforce.”

The issue flies well outside of Nevada casino oversight. According to a contact at the Nevada Gaming Control Board, as far as the Board is concerned, those involved in preparing or serving food and beverages don't constitute a "gaming employee." Only employees involved in gaming activities fall under the purview of the regulators.

While the casino industry likes to purvey a certain image that includes all- (or predominantly) female cocktail servers, there are exceptions. “We are an equal-opportunity employer in this regard,” writes Boyd Gaming communications director David Strow. “Both men and women are invited to apply for server openings at our properties."

Strow continues, “While we always consider applications from qualified candidates equally, regardless of gender, traditionally there's far less interest in these jobs from male candidates. From our perspective, this is why you would see fewer men in these positions, but men are always welcome to apply if they're interested.”

In the past, the Rio had male cocktail servers (known as "bevertainers"), but that's the only Las Vegas casino we're aware of that had them. A rumor persists that the MGM Grand had one or more in its early days, but we never saw him/them. However, in the comments on the last QoD on this subject, people wrote that Parx Casino (Pennsylvania), Encore Boston Harbor, Mohegan Sun, and Harrah's Cherokee all have male cocktail servers. At Parx, "The women and men are exceptionally good looking. Of all the casinos I have ever been at, these folks are by far the best-looking servers I have ever seen. The hiring coordinator for this job has a very strict policy for looks."

If anyone has seen male cocktail servers anywhere in Nevada, or in casinos around the country, we'd like to hear about them.

No part of this answer may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the publisher.

Have a question that hasn't been answered? Email us with your suggestion.

Missed a Question of the Day?

Have a Question?

Tomorrow's Question

Where did casino shills work in the '70s and '80s and how much did they earn?

Comments

Donzack May-30-2025

Laughlin

I remember many moons ago at Harrahs in Laughlin management had cocktail order takers using electronic pads to take your drink order which  was delivered by a server. Didn’t work too well. I think some of those were males.

O2bnVegas May-30-2025

order at the machine

Harrah's AC has the drink order system at the machines, as did Horseshoe Tunic (haven't been there in a long time).  That was a good system, faster than waiting for a CW to circulate in her area to finally get to you.  Very fast, actually.  You tip the one who brings it. You can order any drink imaginable, even scroll through all the possibilities, try something new.  Also can order coffee, tea, sodas, water also.

Why this isn't more widespread in casinos?

Candy

Bob May-30-2025

Vegas Baby

We're talking Vegas here... how do you know they aren't Male?  just sayn'

Gregory May-30-2025

Old MGM

The cocktail waitresses at MGM in the 80s had fake fur collars on their uniforms. The cocktail waiter had a similar uniform with a waiter's jacket having a fake fur collar/lapel. Not a rumor.

I was offered a drink from a cocktail waiter at the Cosmopolitan the one and only time I was there. This was shortly after they opened.

My local casino has a cocktail waiter.  I've never had a drink at my local casino. They are not complimentary and it's different in that there's a drive involved after playing so I don't bother.

Cocktailing seems to me that it would be a pretty tough job.  I know I wouldn't want to do it.

Cal May-30-2025

Cocktail servers

Many years ago, at "Little Ceasars" which is now long gone,
I was playing and ordered a beverage from a male server.

VegasVic May-30-2025

Rio

Yeah the Rio had some guys who came around with tablets to take orders and then the female servers delivered the drinks.  It was pretty smooth and quick.  Not sure if they still do that.  

The HOTTEST cocktail waitresses by far were at the Imperial Palace.  Sexy royal blue outfits.  I don't miss that casino but I sure miss those cocktail waitresses.

Edso May-30-2025

Aquarius in Laughlin

Aquarius Casino in Laughlin had a male cocktail server in 2023, which is the last time I was there.  I had been served by him in 2021 to 2023, so there was at least one during that time.

John Dulley May-30-2025

Ilani

The ilani casino north of Vancouver WA had a couple of male cocktail servers when they opened but I haven’t seen them since, but I also only go there at a certain time. Side note I’m one of the ONLY people who tip them even if I just get a water, and I’ve seen people several times just grab a water off the servers tray like it’s nothing. I’d LOVE to see one of them try that in a Vegas casino and see what happens lol..

SCOTT May-30-2025

Rio

I only remember having a male server at the Rio. Not sure why, but it seemed a little creepy. I think I am more prone to order a drink with a female server. And Vegas Vic, can't remember what the cocktail waitresses looked like at the Rio in the early 2000s, but their outfits were the skimpiest I've seen.

Esloth May-30-2025

Yes I HAVE.

I am almost positive it was in New York, New York. I got a beer from a male server. It was within  the last 12 months and it was a shift after dark. I cant recall what he was wearing but it seems to me he had bare arms and maybe some chest exposure. He was definitely not a Chippendale type.

hawks242424 May-30-2025

Models

Not sure if this is true but I read the Vegas pool waitress are considered "models" and that's a way they get around it..  I am not sure if this is true or not.

Jeremy Gray May-30-2025

Isle Casino Bettendorf

There’s a least 1 at Isle Casino Bettendorf Iowa, but I’m pretty sure there are a couple at the other casino in the Quad Cities. It’s rare for sure, but I’ve seen multiple cocktail servers who were men

Bob Nelson May-30-2025

Because

Most men don’t fit into the “server costumes” very well…

[email protected] May-30-2025

BFOQ

Nice, I like learning something new every day.  Didn't know that one, but I was in sales, the "anti-HR" department LOLOLOL

Sylvia Gosline May-30-2025

Male cocktail server

I don’t know if he’s still there but Harrahs Lake Tahoe had one for a long time.

Marty Bonillas May-30-2025

Laughlin

There are a few male cocktail servers @ the Aquarius in Laughlin (as of our last trip in Feb. '25)

Deby Kelly Hawkins Jun-03-2025

Male Cocktail Server

There was definitely a male cocktail server at the Rio in February 2025.

David Sabo Jun-05-2025

A few

As another reader pointed out, there is a male cocktail waiter at NYNY.

Question of the Day - 30 May 2025

Comments