A concertgoer says he was blindsided by a hidden 'admin fee' that sent his Las Vegas Strip bar tab soaring to $180 for just two margaritas and two bottles of water.
Two Sin City visitors revealed that they were charged over $100 for just two cocktails and two bottles of water at Dolby Live Theater at Park MGM while attending singer Zayn Malik's show during his recent Nevada tour stop.
A receipt showed two margaritas at $50 each and bottles of water at $8.75 apiece, with an automatic gratuity of $27.58 bringing the total to $153.20, according to a post on X from creator Vegasstarfish.
But a surprise $26 'administrative fee,' plus tax, catapulted the bill to nearly $181 - a pricing headache on the fading Strip that the music fans said has been 'hurting the city.'
'It's the "Vegas is expensive" problem that this receipt highlights,' the unidentified concertgoer told the social media creator.
'I have the financial means to buy what I want, but even I was shocked. MGM is taking it too far,' they added. 'We always stay at the Encore tower suits and this hotel is not cheap, but they never price gouge.'
On Monday, Jen G, the woman behind the account, blasted the city's rip-off tactics at live events, sharing the story of two fans who reached out about their hefty bill.
'This is exactly what turns people away from visiting our city,' she captioned the post. 'Exposing these antics will help future visitors make informed decisions.'
The visitors said they only ordered four drinks to enjoy the former One Direction star's gig, including two classic margaritas made with reposado tequila, served in plastic cups.
'We did not look at pricing, nor was pricing available on the back of the menu that they had in that venue,' the tourist said.
Forced to pay the unclear 'admin fee' along with a tip, the pair's bill served as the latest reminder that skyrocketing prices are pushing all but the wealthiest off the Strip.
Nevada charges a 9 percent Live Entertainment Tax (LET) on live events held in licensed casinos such as Dolby Live, with the Gaming Control Board responsible for collecting it, according to the Department of Taxation.
The tax affects only ticket prices, not food or drinks.
However, venues often add a non-government 'administrative fee' on top of the base price for products or services, such as drinks, to help cover staffing, transaction costs and credit-card processing fees.
Many large venues - especially in Las Vegas - used to discreetly hide these mysterious fees until after purchase.
That changed last year when the Federal Trade Commission (FCC) introduced its 'junk fees' rule, according to 4As.
Businesses that sell items like live event tickets are now required to include all mandatory fees in the initial price shown to consumers, ensuring transparency and preventing surprises on bank statements.
Despite this, many on social media have questioned why an 'admin fee' would be applied to something as simple as making two cocktails and grabbing two bottles of water from the fridge.
The catch: if the drinks were bundled into a 'package' or 'VIP experience,' the cost could skyrocket well beyond what fans might expect.
According to the post, the two concertgoers had VIP section tickets. Instead of waiting in line, a waitress personally delivered their drinks directly to their seats.
The Sin City visitor added that they've had VIP seats at other venues and were only ever billed for their drinks and tips - not mysterious 'admin fees.'
While the steep total may sting, it makes more sense when factoring in VIP seating, which functions more like a nightclub than a regular concert bar.
Many casinos require a minimum spend per table or person - potentially explaining the $100 total for two cocktails - plus mandatory gratuities and extra fees.
Table fees, bottle service, minimum spend rules and admin charges on top of a higher base for VIP are just a few ways the total could have ballooned into an outrageous bill.
The concertgoers had VIP tickets, and if the drinks were part of a 'package' or 'VIP experience,' the price could soar - perfectly legal in Nevada as long as the fees are disclosed beforehand.
The practice is legal in Nevada, as long as the fees were disclosed upfront - either on the ticket purchase page or in the VIP agreement - and not hidden or added after payment.
In this most recent case, it seems that's exactly what happened: the administrative fee was clearly listed on the receipt before payment - though that didn't stop viewers from disbelief outrage at the price.
'Vegas is its own worst enemy,' one comment read.
Another viewer asked: 'Admin fee. Nope. That is just trash. Is it even legal?'
'All too common in this greedy town unfortunately,' wrote a third.
'In a plastic cup no drink is worth $50!' said another.
Nevertheless, the concertgoers' bill represents the latest chapter in a continuing saga of eye-popping prices along the once-vibrant Las Vegas Strip.
In an anonymous letter sent in October, a Vegas local lamented the ridiculous prices he has had to pay for parking.
Resident Jean Man recounted paying $40 to park at Mandalay Bay for a Las Vegas Aces game - then being hit with $50 when he returned soon after, all while parking on the sixth-floor rooftop.
Other visitors have reported being charged $26 for a water bottle from a hotel minibar and $74 for two drinks at the Las Vegas Sphere.
Las Vegas has seen a 7.8 percent dip in the number of tourists between January and August of 2025 when compared to the same period the year prior, as guests complain of getting fleeced left and right.
Sin City's rising prices have led to a parallel rise in the average income of its visitors.
In 2024, 64 percent of Las Vegas tourists had an income of at least $100,000, up significantly from 48 percent in 2023 and a dramatic spike from 28 percent in 2019, according to a report from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
Meanwhile, Nevada and Las Vegas locals are struggling under the economic impact of slipping tourism.