Gone are the days when the dance floor was the club’s centerpiece. The infectious energy of strangers grooving together, the thrill of locking eyes with someone across the room and the joy of shouting lyrics to your favorite song as the bass thumped through your chest—those memories feel like relics of a bygone era.
Today, the nightlife scene has traded fun vibes for reserved seating and high-priced bottle service.
But is this transformation just a natural evolution, or has the rise of “section culture” turned the club scene into an exclusive, classist performative space? Social media is buzzing with debates over why “the club isn’t clubbin’ anymore,” and for many, the blame lies with a shift that prioritizes flexing over fun.
Sections often come with hefty bottle service prices that have overtaken dance floors in many venues, prioritizing exclusivity over social interaction. This shift has alienated some clubgoers, including those who view nightlife as an opportunity to connect, let loose and meet new people.
The Defender attended an event at Kamp Houston to experience what a section club is like from a clubgoer’s perspective. When we first arrived, attendees could pay either $40 for valet parking or $60 for VIP parking of their cars in front of the establishment. Then, when you entered, general tickets were about $25. We followed Derrick Osizugbo, an IT Project Manager, who reserved a section. He told us that depending on the night and location, he had paid an average of $200 to reserve a section and spent about $400 on a two-bottle minimum.
“Honestly, I’m probably part of the problem to some people because I’m pro-section culture, but not to the point where it’s egregious. I want to hang out with my friends and have a place where people can sit down if they want to,” he said. “Nowadays, there aren’t too many places like Warehouse Live, where there is more open flow for people to actually dance. People are paying attention to recording it [the experience] rather than actually engaging with people when they go out.”
Osizugbo says going to the club is classist and very expensive and doesn’t believe normal working-class people can afford to come out weekly or bi-weekly.
Arinze Agada, a mechanical engineer who’s lived in Houston for over twenty years, says he and his friends try to have fun and not pitch pennies when he goes out with them. He doesn’t go out as much, but when he does, he is observant of the cost of enjoying the nightlife in the city.
“It’s really outrageous when it comes to the section fees, bottle fees, the hookah prices,” Agada said. “It’s restrictive because everybody is sitting down, you can’t engage with too many people, but I feel like that is the name of the game these days.”
For many, rising costs, compounded by inflation and economic instability post-COVID-19, have made the traditional club experience less accessible. Instead, younger generations opt for alternatives like house parties, kickbacks, local bars, or sitting at home, where the vibe is more affordable and intimate.
What’s a good alternative?
Rob Wright, co-owner of Warwick Houston, Rockhouse Southern Kitchen, and Chapman & Kirby, is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in event curation.
“There’s a reason section culture has become so popular,” Wright said. “From a financial standpoint, it’s a clear winner. Sections with bottle service generate significantly more revenue than individual drink sales at the bar. You have groups of people from five to 10 or 15 who are buying three or four bottles. That’s a lot of money.”
However, Wright acknowledges the trade-offs. “It can create an elitist atmosphere,” he admits, “Where people with sections feel superior to those on the dance floor.” He also recognizes the potential for sections to hinder social interaction. “Nightclubs are, by nature, social spaces,” Wright said. “Sections can create a barrier that discourages people from mingling and meeting new folks.”
So, is there a way to have the best of both worlds? Wright says there is, and his business gives partygoers options. “The answer might lie in hybrid concepts,” he suggests. “Clubs can offer sections for those who desire them while also maintaining a dedicated dance floor and open areas where people can socialize freely.” This approach caters to different preferences, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
Lucky Eno is the co-owner of Rumors Nightclub in Houston. Before the club’s grand opening in 2022, he had to adjust to the concept of bottle service and BYOB [Bring your own bottle] compared to the traditional club set up in England, where he moved from in 2011. Despite the shift, he saw potential.
“I didn’t want to take loans and struggle with interest rates. We paid rent out of our pockets for the first eight months of opening. It was hard,” he explained. “I was patient, saved up, and partnered with friends to make it a reality.”
According to Eno, section culture isn’t just about exclusivity or opulence—it’s a business model that addresses customer preferences and operational costs. At Rumors, sections are sold in advance, with prices starting at $100. Each section accommodates up to 10 people for free, while additional guests pay a $20 cover charge.
“People like sections because it gives them control over their night. For $100, you can entertain 10 people and enjoy drinks, making it an affordable way to have fun,” Eno said.
Rumors operate differently from traditional clubs. As a BYOB establishment, customers bring their alcohol, significantly reducing costs. However, the club earns revenue through section reservations, cover charges, and event planning.
“We open Thursdays to Sundays. Thursdays and Sundays are free entry, but Fridays and Saturdays require reservations. Even though we’re BYOB, we still have bills to pay — from DJs to security officers. That’s where the sections and cover charges come in,” he explained.
Unlike some establishments, Rumors doesn’t overbook sections or inflate prices, even during high-demand events.
“When we’re sold out, we’re sold out. We don’t double-book or charge extra to squeeze people in,” he said. “That’s why our customers keep coming back — they know their experience will be exactly what they paid for.”
For Eno, section culture isn’t killing the vibe — it’s redefining it. However, he acknowledges that success in this model requires strategy and adaptability. “When we started, many people said BYOB wouldn’t work, especially in such a big space. But we proved them wrong by listening to our customers and staying consistent,” he shared.
No Sections, No bottle service, just dance
There was a time when Houston nightlife wasn’t as complex. The unrestrictive nature of the international and U.S. club scenes, such as the Everyday People, inspired Chinedu Ohalete. He used to attend parties on the southwest side of town where people danced and connected. It was an energy that he and his friends wanted to revive again, and fortunately, where there is a problem, there are solutions. That is where the Jaiye Room was born.
“As an emcee, I saw stuff in the clubs that I didn’t really like. It’s a dark culture… and it didn’t speak to who I was as a person,” said Ohalete. “I used to be able to go straight out of college dealing with post-grad stuff to the clubs broke with my friends… and we can mingle, shake hands and meet people. Now it takes $300 deposits to book a section… four bottles minimum. It just wasn’t fun.”
It is a popular pop-up Afro-fusion dance party in Houston launched by Chinedu, his sister, Brittany Ohalete, EJ Akagha, Brady Emokpae, and Patrick Ogidi in 2023. They aimed to create a space without sections, bottles, or hookahs—just good music and dancing.
“We’re not the first party to do no sections,” Brittany said. “But I think the difference is some of those other parties… still focus on being too cool, and we are [saying] lose yourself. Go crazy.”
“Jaiye” is a Nigerian (Yoruba) term meaning to enjoy life. The team’s collective concerns about the club scene have enabled them to tap into hundreds of people who are seeking an alternative space to have fun. Jaiye Room hosted its first major event in October 2023, attracting nearly 800 people. In such a short time, they’ve grown so much that they recently hosted an event during AfroTech at Warehouse Live in Midtown with a total capacity of 1,200.
“The first [event] was really special because it showed that you don’t have to go out to spend $2,000 at night,” said Emokpae. “You could come to Jaiye Room for free… you can be broke at the Jaiye Room or as rich as you want to be. There is no classism there.”
The Jaiye Room also encourages clubgoers to expand their musical palettes. Newcomers should expect to unlearn and unwind. This is a movement, a ” counter-culture.”
“The end goal is shifting the culture in Houston. We don’t bring out the same people every event we have,” said Akagha. “People are coming with the idea that they aren’t standing around.”
