Sort of and no. Geisah literally means a person (who performs) arts, and the ability to dance as well as play various musical instruments was required.
There are still places where there are geisha, although it’s insanely expensive and you probably need help getting into one. It’s said that there’s only a few thousand left in Japan, and this is mostly a playground for the very wealthy, the tops of the major corporations and politicians. There was a fairly nondescript building next to my precious office, which had geisha, and you could hear them laugh or playing music if you walked down the outside stairs. There were always black limos parked outside with the drivers waiting to take home the VIPs.
Hostesses entertain by talking and drinking with the patron, and singing karaoke. The wiki article Host and hostess clubs - Wikipedia gives a pretty good run down.
There’s a number of classes of hostess bars. In Tokyo, the top ranked are in Ginza or Akasaka, and I’ve been to these places several times. The women are late 20s early 30s, pretty and witty. They’re well versed on current affairs and keep up with popular books and movies in order in to participate where ever conversation the turns. Nicely dressed, classy looks and not overly sexual at all. Hands to yourself is strictly enforced and crude behavior frowned upon.
Usually clients have one club which they patron, and will keep a bottle of whiskey or scotch there. There will be ranges of drinks, and hostesses collect if the client orders more expensive drinks. The expectation is that the client will order a drink for the girl, which is either a virgin cocktail or will give some of his bottle. Naturally, women in this trade drink like fish.
They are paid on commission, and there’s a ranking on who is the #1, #2, etc., by sales. Sales are increased by ordering snacks (including the inevitable “fruit plate” which would bankrupt small countries) or special drinks such as Champaign. Hostesses are rotated through the crowd and if you want a particular girl you need to pay the “designated” fee.
The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. For new clients, the lower ranked hostesses are initially assigned, until the client proves they will fork up money. At that point, someone higher in the food chain can take over and collect the commission. However, once a client start designating a particular hostess, then she can’t be bumped. Hence, they live and die by designations. (And, yes, I did date a hostess who worked in Ginza, which is why I know this, thanks for asking.)
Hostesses at medium to higher level clubs are expected to date clients and then bring them into the club. Sex is not in infrequent occurrence, which is another difference with geisha who would not give out so easily. (Or so I’ve heard, I’ve never even seen a geisha, let along date one.)
Prices in Ginza range from $700 to a couple of thousand dollars per person at this level.
In the middle bracket, and I’ve been taken to these places a fair number of times. The women tend to be more varied in age, often not a cute or not an entertaining. It’s sort of a minor league compared to The Show in Ginza.
The system works the same, although less refined, sometimes semi-sexual (holding hand and light touching is not as quickly refused) and the women will sometimes push more for sales where Ginza hostesses are more subtle about it.
Middle level clubs are several hundred dollars per person. Usually expenses to companies, although some guys will pay for this on their own.
In the bottom levels, you often get college level girls who find that this pays more than pimping fries and less work than the “Prostitution Lite” (blow jobs only) joints. More aggressive about getting money and their entertainment abilities seem limited to giggling.
I’ve got some friends who like going to these establishment, but I never saw the attraction.
Prices go down to $80 per person, and usually customers are paying themselves. You do not take clients to these places.
Then there are the Filipino clubs where the hostess are from said country. Often very sexual (taking off underwear) but no sex on the premises.
I’ve been dragged to a couple but never paid, so I’m only going to guess in the $100 range.
