What catering really costs at Las Vegas venues
Menu prices at Las Vegas venues leave out roughly a quarter of the bill. Each venue adds a service charge and usually an administrative fee, and the administrative fee is taxed. These figures come from each venue's own 2026 policies, named in each rule, and change without notice, so confirm them on your contract.
Last checked Nov 6, 2026
What to know
- MGM Grand: 19% plus 6%, then tax
Catered food and drink at MGM Grand carry a 19% service charge (not taxed) and a 6% administrative fee that is taxed at the sales tax rate, currently 8.375%. Events booked within 72 hours of service pay an extra fee.
ConfirmedMGM Grand events and convention services policies and procedures (MGM Resorts, V3.26)Checked Nov 6, 2026
- Mandalay Bay: the same 25%, plus staff fees
Mandalay Bay adds a 19% gratuity (not taxed) and a 6% service charge taxed at 8.375%, and charges extra for bartenders, cashiers and chef attendants. Cash bars and concessions have daily sales minimums, and any shortfall is billed to the master account.
ConfirmedMandalay Bay meetings and convention planning guide (V4.26)Checked Nov 6, 2026
- ARIA: the service charge isn't a tip
ARIA's 19.41% service charge on catering is expressly not a tip; it comes with a 5.59% administrative fee taxed at 8.375%. Tax-exempt groups must send a state exemption certificate at least three weeks before the event.
ConfirmedARIA convention services policies and procedures (MGM Resorts, V9.26)Checked Nov 6, 2026
- Bellagio: chefs and last-minute events cost more
Bellagio adds a 19% service charge and a 6% administrative fee taxed at 8.375%, charges $350.00 per chef, and treats a new food event added within 72 hours of start as a pop-up priced 20% higher.
ConfirmedBellagio convention policies and procedures (MGM Resorts)Checked Nov 6, 2026
- Resorts World: charged on full menu price
Resorts World adds a 20.5% service charge (not taxed) and a 3.5% taxable administrative charge plus sales tax, and calculates both on the retail menu price, even when you negotiated a discount.
ConfirmedResorts World Las Vegas: conference and event planning guide (V5)Checked Nov 6, 2026
- Caesars Forum: 25%, a $350 minimum and labor
Booth catering at Caesars Forum carries a 25% service charge plus 8.375% sales tax, each order has a $350.00 minimum, and a server can add a $350.00 labor fee.
ConfirmedCaesars Forum exhibit booth food and beverage order form (2026)Checked Nov 6, 2026
- Fontainebleau: 25% in service charges, 30 days for tax-exempt
Fontainebleau's food and drink prices carry service charges totaling 25% plus sales tax, currently 8.375%. Tax-exempt organizations must send a Nevada Certificate of Exemption at least 30 days before the event.
ConfirmedFontainebleau Las Vegas BleauBook (September 2025)Checked Nov 6, 2026