Bottle service has become de rigeuer for L.A.'s hot clubs, which charge triple-digit prices for a bottle of liquor with mixers. Of course, no one's dropping that kind of bank for the booze. For some places, like the perpetually logjammed Hotel Roosevelt, bottle service can be the only way to get service.

"You're not paying for the bottle," says ODVD Games VP Chris Kantrowitz. "You're paying for the real estate."

And, according to "Entourage" producer Rob Weiss, it can also be a way to save you from yourself. "You get a bottle of vodka," he says, "and you don't have to worry about drinking tequila halfway through."

Here, V Life Weekend's look at the best places for high-priced libations.

Shelter, 8117 Sunset Blvd. (323) 654-0030
Vibe: Changes every few months; currently swank construction site
Clientele: The sisters Hilton; Leonardo DiCaprio
Bottle price: $300 for Ketel One, $700 for Cristal
How to get One: Make reservations one week in advance
So they say: "Bottle service buys you VIP treatment,'' says director of operations Daniela Danilovic. "Security guards, doting waitstaff and everything at your disposal."

Spider Club, 1735 N. Vine St. (323) 462-8270
Vibe: Moroccan-Spanish '70s hodge-podge
Clientele: A-list celebs like Cameron Diaz and Jessica Simpson, young execs and tourists out on the town
Bottle price: $400 for Grey Goose, $300 for Stoli Raspberry
How to get One: Call the member reservation line at (323) 462-1307
So they say: "Bottle service is a way to get into the club without hassle, especially for a group of guys," says general manager Jared Carey. "Clubs usually like to have more female guests than male - that's just the way it works."

The Day After, 6757 Hollywood Blvd. (323) 874-5478
Vibe: Miami Beach art deco
Clientele: Hollywood's other scenesters - young, hot wannabes
Bottle price: $250 for Absolut, $350 for Belvedere
How to get One: Call promoter Jon Abrams at (310) 428-3359
So they say: "People drop crazy loot on bottle service," Abrams says. "We did a party for Fred Segal, and the bar ran $42,000 that night."

Chapter 8 Lounge, 29020 Agoura Road, Agoura (818) 889-2088
Vibe: Neo-modern bordello
Clientele: The young and those who wish they were with appearances by Wayne Gretzky and the Rock
Bottle price: $225 for Bombay Sapphire, $450 for Johnny Walker Blue
How to get one: Call at least five days in advance for a reservation
So they say: "On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights it could be up to a two-hour wait," says host Ken McCarthy. "By making bottle service reservations, you don't have to wait in line."