Imagine

[Main Man]

Funny story. I knew the place was a rip off when I went in.
That's why I grilled the doormen for 15 minutes before
stepping foot inside the place.

However, I can't say there was only a few girls. There was
at least 6 and maybe as many as 10. Also, no one blocked
the door when I decided to leave.

However, we are really to blame ourselves if we read
the forums and still choose to enter these places. It's
obvious that they are clip joints. There are many other
places that I know are clip joints also from talking to
a friend that works @ nightclubs in the area.

On a positive note, it seems that in Buenos Aires most
things are negotiable. I talked my way into a nightclub
with cover charge for free. I think it's on Honduras or whatever
"the circle" where all the people hang @ is. All you have to do
is strike up a conversation with one of the women out front
and act like a stupid tourist (easy for me, since I am a stupid
tourist).

[HappyGoLucky]

One night as I was walking past Imagine on my way to Excedra, the doorguy at Imagine asked if I'd like to see inside. He seemed calm and congenial so I thought what the fuck, a quick look won't hurt. I stepped inside and was immediately grabbed by two chicas wanting to take me to the back. As there were NO other customers in the joint, I pretended I didn't speak any Spanish and turned to leave while the bouncer/doorman was blocking the exit. As the girls were still trying to drag me to the back, the doorguy kept saying "sit down, sit down for a while..."

I said, "Okay, yeah, okay, the girls here are really cute. I'm supposed to meet a buddy outside in a few minutes and I don't want to miss him. We'll be right back! Hold the girls for me!!"

After that, every time I walked past Imagine the doorguy would ask when I'm coming back in.

"Mañana dude, mañana..."
-HGL

Whew.

It was nice to read some of your messages.

I forgot to mention the drinks were non alcoholic!

Truth is, t he guy who wanted me to pay saw the rage in my eyes and I really think he thought I was gonna pull a "Bruce Lee" and sock him one!

I was pissed.

But I had some cards up my sleeve. I was gonna do the unexpected and totally outrageous thing. I was gonna scream bloody murder like a woman! I had run (YES RUN!) literraly into the biggest group of people I could find as I left the place. I was gonna make a scene. I was ready to throw a brick through the window.(If I had had to pay)

I paniced and just let me adrenalain take over.

It just goes to show you that if you act all nice and trusting and give benefit of the doubt. They will inevitably fuck with you.

So I guess this means no more mister nice guy. Which frustrates me because I am the poster boy for "Mister nice guy".

Hi Roland07,

I generally advocate going nuclear in these situations. The people that run these types of scams are only able to do so because a very high percentage of their intended victims are, well, to put it bluntly, pussys. However, If you look and act like you ready to rumble, you might be surprised at their reaction.

Many travelers in these types of situations believe that because it's the troublemaker's country, that they're somehow connected, and that you'll never win a confrontation. Really, the traveler forgets that they, as the tourist, represent the tourist dollars that are to be protected by the authorities. The troublemakers know this, and they know that if there's a problem it's likely that they, the troublemakers, who are going to have the real problem with the authorities.

Sometimes, all it takes is a cold, hard, stare right into their eyes, then tell them to "Fuck Off".

Just my .02 cents.

Jackson

[Jackpot]

Just a point of view:

The commodity we all seek at Excedra can be obtained for 100-120p
with 5-10p for cab fare. It may take some bargaining and sweet talk
but you can do it. You may have to walk away, just like the car lot,
but many will take the price. It makes the game more fun.

Remember, 1707 Santa Fe is 5 minutes away and 100p per hour.

The more you pay and the easier you make it, the more we all get
scr'wd. Be patient and all will come your way.

When I return to BA in Sept, I will chair a Seminar in Management/Labor negotiations. The dinner table at the Mansion will be the perfect venue.

Jackpot

[Lexton]

I just happen to be in town, so Sunday night I spoke to the doorman at Imagine. Turns out he was the owner. I didn't ask if he ran a crooked place. I just wanted to know if the ownership had changed. It hasn't. He created Imagine about Sep-Oct of 2003. He and his brother also own LADIES, next door to Cutty Sark.

I know his brother, Julio somewhat. I met him and we talked a few times in 2003-2004. It was an honest place then(but expensive) as was Ladies.

He just told me there were very few women inside and they weren't very good. A couple of street guys have confirmed to me that Imagine is a ripoff place now. The point of this is that if Imagine is now dishonest then LADIES very likely now is also.

I was in LADIES a couple of times in early 2004. It was very expensive, with no interesting women at that time.

I agree with Jackson, your best chance is to appear unstable. I got out of the whiskeria on Corrientes that way. I think they thought I was going to go ballistic. Even though they pay for protection, it will get a lot more expensive if they cause real problems.

[Capt Dave]

$150 pesos is probably the least you can expect to pay a hot chica on a busy night - $100 can still be had, but it's harder these days (no pun intended), and even harder if you no speeka spanish.

$200 is TOO much - please don't do it, or if you do at least insist on several hours or something else to justify it (perhaps tell her to do your dishes?)

I know it may not seem like much difference to some of you, but to someone who takes a girl out of Excedra several times a week, it makes a difference of $50-$100(extra)x(3 or 4 times/wk)x52(weeks/yr)= BIG BUCKS !!!

Thanks

David

[One Tree Hill]

If I pay you $200 peso's I'll have to pay all the girls $200 ". My point being is theres very high quality Pussy in Excedra for $150 peso's, so don't you newbies Fuck It Up for us.

Exon,

Is 150P the going rate now? Most of the time I have taken girls for 100P (one hour). Two years ago, 80P was not unheard of. Just wondering.

OTH

[Exon123]

Theres no way in the world that "Imagine" and that other club could ever compete with Cafe Excedra which is two or three doors down tward Cordoba.

If you think about it, its located right next door to the Panesta Hotel and their sole purpose is to rip off the guest's of the hotel. That's why the high pressure salesmen at the door.

They don't have the volume so the girls are of low quality.

Moreover, at Excedra you pay normal Argentine prices for drinks or coffee with a selection of up to 50 girls. Sure not all of them are doable, but over the years Ive pulled more Chica's out of Excedra than any other club.

One must be careful out of Excedra as you can find some real losers in their. But there are independant girls whom are not full time working girls that are true gem's. Thease are grils that just need a little extra money to make ends meet. There are also girls that are from other country's that will come to Buenos Aires for a couple months just to work and build up some cash for what ever reason.

I happend to be in Excedra last week with a very prominent Monger whom we all know. He'd picked out a very nice target whom he invited over to our table. He tried to make a deal, but she wanted $200 peso's. His reply was no stating, " If I pay you $200 peso's I'll have to pay all the girls $200 ". My point being is theres very high quality Pussy in Excedra for $150 peso's, so don't you newbies Fuck It Up for us.

Lastly, my last night in town with Chica Seeker, after I was stood up by the Drama Queen, I pulled out a beautiful Red Head out of Excedra for a $150 peso's for a one hour date. She stayed three and a half hours and drained me so good I couldn't do Fabiana the next morning. So my point being is theres some very good shit in Excedra but you have to know what your doing.

Exon

[Roland07]

Whew.

It was nice to read some of your messages.

I forgot to mention the drinks were non alcoholic!

Truth is, t he guy who wanted me to pay saw the rage in my eyes and I really think he thought I was gonna pull a "Bruce Lee" and sock him one!

I was pissed.

But I had some cards up my sleeve. I was gonna do the unexpected and totally outrageous thing. I was gonna scream bloody murder like a woman! I had run (YES RUN!) literraly into the biggest group of people I could find as I left the place. I was gonna make a scene. I was ready to throw a brick through the window.(If I had had to pay)

I paniced and just let me adrenalain take over.

It just goes to show you that if you act all nice and trusting and give benefit of the doubt. They will inevitably fuck with you.

So I guess this means no more mister nice guy. Which frustrates me because I am the poster boy for "Mister nice guy".

Hi Roland07,

I generally advocate going nuclear in these situations. The people that run these types of scams are only able to do so because a very high percentage of their intended victims are, well, to put it bluntly, pussys. However, If you look and act like you ready to rumble, you might be surprised at their reaction.

Many travelers in these types of situations believe that because it's the troublemaker's country, that they're somehow connected, and that you'll never win a confrontation. Really, the traveler forgets that they, as the tourist, represent the tourist dollars that are to be protected by the authorities. The troublemakers know this, and they know that if there's a problem it's likely that they, the troublemakers, who are going to have the real problem with the authorities.

Sometimes, all it takes is a cold, hard, stare right into their eyes, then tell them to "Fuck Off".

Just my .02 cents.

Jackson

[Hans25]

I concur with rolando07 imagine is a complete RIPOFF ,went there and lucky for me I did'nt have enofe money 3 drinks with the girls were very expensive,
I left owing them about 50 pesos that they charge the girls for ths drinks , and I left runnig outa there.

[MoonDog]

Is one of the "Only" places in town where you can go drink, spend peso and be merry, but have "NO Sex"! How can a place like this exist in BA? It is only a matter of time,
MM

Don't forget, Ladies, across the street from Jaz, is like that. Pesos for drinks and talk, that's it. Unless that has changed. Does anybody know if it is still the same?

Moondog

[Mickey Mouse]

Is one of the "Only" places in town where you can go drink, spend peso and be merry, but have "NO Sex"! How can a place like this exist in BA? It is only a matter of time,
MM

[Main Man]

I am sorry to hear of your trouble. There is actually two clubs next to the Cafe, so I'm not sure which one you had trouble with.

I had extensive negotiations with the door guys before I went in. I hung out and chatted with them for a while, so maybe they just took it easy on me. Hell, at least 10 women literally grabbed me and pulled me inside the club. That alone was quite an experience!

Almost all of these types of clubs are always a rip off in Buenos Aires in my experience. The exists to steal as many tourists dollars as possible. However, for whatever reason they were honest and cool with me.

[MoonDog]

Roland,

You got off easy. I walked in before the devaluation,and got nabbed for $80, that's 80 dollars. They would not allow me to leave unti I paid it. Bad place.

Thanks for the warning.

Moondog

[Roland07]

WARNING WILL ROBINSON WARNING!

Next to Excedra is a place called "Imagine".

This place is a COMPLETE TRAP!!!

Its bait and switch.

Man at door offers discount card.

You must enter bar for him to endorse it.

Two girls literally swarm you!

Once inside you are obligated to buy yourself and two girls a drink.

Drinks are on table before you can blink.

Guess what they say? 40 PESOS! for the drinks.

This happens so fast you dont know what happens. Guy who is supposed to endorse discount card? Hes outside already looking for another chump. (card by this time has long since disappeared.)

As soon as I figured out what was happening I yelled "NO"! (definately did not and would not pay) and literally ran as fast as I could (NO JOKE!) out the door as they started to block the door from me agressively!

[Jackson]

Imagine Carlos Pelegrini 845 (between Paraguay & Cordoba) (in Centro) 4394-6380

Approximately 3 doors down from Excedra. Small, cheap, plywood topped bar, with typically 4 to 6 girls of less-than-desirable quality. Still, this doesn't stop them from asking $25ar for a glass of water, which increadibly enough they brought to me in a glass and would not leave the bottle. Obviously, the only way they're going to survive is by getting some accidental traffic from Excedra.