The Rules Playboy Bunnies Had To Follow In 1969
In the 1960s, few jobs seemed as glamorous as being a Playboy Bunny. These waitresses, who worked in the very exclusive and secretive Playboy Bars, were stylish and beautiful and earned wages big enough to buy their own homes in a time when women still lacked financial autonomy. But beneath the visage, this gig wasn’t as glamorous as it looked. It was hard to get and even harder to keep; Bunnies had to follow some very strict rules. Each was even given a pamphlet that detailed all these rules... and we’ve managed to get a closer look at that fascinating document.
Non-negotiable instruction for the Bunnies
The glamorous Playboy Bunnies were front and center when, in 1960, the very first Playboy Club opened its doors. These hosts helped establish Playboy as a global brand. In the 31 years that the Clubs were open, they enjoyed wide renown.
Yet to maintain their positions and avoid any potential headaches, the Bunnies had to memorize nearly 30 pages of non-negotiable instructions from a pamphlet. The document was simply titled The Playboy Club Bunny Manual.
The Playboy Club Bunny Manual
Thanks to Bunny Regina, a worker at the Detroit Playboy Club in Michigan between 1968 and 1969, the eye-opening pamphlet has finally come to the public’s attention. And boy, does it make for intriguing reading.
Bunny Regina shared her copy dated from July 1968 on the Ex-Playboy Bunnies website. The manual is divided into five different sections in total, with a lengthy introduction setting the scene. So let’s dive into it!
“Great pride” in the Bunnies
After welcoming the women to “the world of Playboy,” the manual explained why the role was so special. It read, “You can take great pride in being selected as a Bunny; it’s a job that you will find is both unique and exciting.”
“The Playboy Bunny has created a new definition and standard for charm, beauty, and friendly service.” From there, the pamphlet also celebrated the reputation of the Playboy Clubs, recognizing the Bunnies’ role in that.
Aspiring Bunnies faced stiff competition
So you might be wondering: what was the recruitment process like? Was it simple? Well, if you were interested in becoming a Bunny back then, you would’ve faced a lot of competition.
The manual maintained, “To guarantee the high standards which our Keyholders have come to expect, we are extremely selective in our Bunny hiring procedures. For instance, in opening a recent club, we interviewed 500 girls but only selected 40 as having the personality and physical beauty required of our Bunnies.”
“You represent the excitement and glamor of Playboy”
Those who were among the lucky few then faced a “training program” that got them up to speed on what was expected. Regarding the overall importance of the position, the book touched on the brand itself.
The introduction continued, “The remarkable success of our Playboy Clubs is a direct outgrowth of the enthusiasm which millions of urbane, successful men have for the Playboy Magazine. To them, you represent the excitement and glamor of Playboy.”
There was worldwide interest in the clubs
The allure of the position couldn’t be denied. According to the manual, the recruitment drives quickly attracted plenty of international interest. Women from England, Ireland, Germany, Italy, France, Ecuador, and Denmark all took part. Of course, there were many American hopefuls, too!
“[It] has been called the ‘top job in the country for a young girl,’” the book claimed, countering suggestions that the Bunny role was in any way tacky. To further tackle that negative perception, the document made an interesting observation.
Bunnies come from all walks of life
“Our Bunnies represent varied backgrounds — among them are former school teachers, secretaries, actresses, dancers, models, and co-eds,” the manual stated. “Many hold part-time Bunny jobs while pursuing full-time careers or studies.”
But what were the perks of being a Playboy Bunny? Why did it apparently hold such allure? Alongside the promise of traveling and gaining celebrity-like status in news outlets, the salary was said to be very “rewarding.” But that last point wasn’t a guarantee: the Bunnies had to work hard for their money.
“Proportional” pay
As the pamphlet explained, “Your pay will be in direct proportion to the attention and service you provide to our Keyholders and their guests. The sooner you are able to consistently provide the fine, glamorous service for which our clubs have become famous, the sooner you will be earning top wages.”
It also notes how exacting the role could “often” be, making it clear that the women wouldn’t have it easy. The introduction ends here, which takes us to the manual’s first section: “Bunny Benefits.”
Vacation time was very limited
According to the booklet, all Playboy Bunnies were offered health, life, and accident insurance after being recruited. At least that’s one less thing they had to worry about, right? But the paid time off was another story.
As it turned out, the workers were granted very little time away from their jobs, especially during the initial months. “A Bunny who has been continuously employed for one year is eligible for one week’s vacation as of her anniversary date,” revealed the manual.
They had to earn “vacation credit”
The allowance only went up ever so slightly for the clubs’ longer-term employees. The manual continued, “A Bunny who has been continuously employed for two or more years is eligible for two weeks vacation as of her anniversary date.”
Plus, the Bunnies earned a “one-half day vacation credit” for every month they covered as well. Yet that figure never exceeded five days. So short-term breaks would’ve been the order of the day back then.
“Bunny Beauty Scouts”
But while vacations were limited, the clubs looked to soften the blow by offering their Bunnies an interesting incentive. The women could become recruiters themselves, seeking out others who had the potential to join them as Playboy Bunnies.
As “Bunny Beauty Scouts,” their first successful referral would bag them $50, while the second and third promised rewards of $75 and $100, respectively. To get the money, though, the new employees would’ve needed to stay at the club for at least three months.
Competing for prizes
The incentives didn’t end there, either. The clubs’ Cocktail Bunnies also had a chance to win prizes via two different competitions. They were the “Good Service Contest,” which awarded those who “achieved the highest drink average through excellent service,” and the “Mug Incentive Contest.”
That one encouraged its employees to sell their customers official Playboy Mugs at the bar. The top prize in both would allow Bunnies to cover their favorite workstation for an entire week.
Bunnies could move to new cities
Transfers were seen as another perk of the job. The pamphlet read, “One of the advantages that Bunnies enjoy is the opportunity of moving to another city permanently, or for a short time, with the security of having a good job waiting if their transfer requests are approved.”
Simply put, they didn’t have to stay at the same Playboy Club indefinitely. A change of scenery could’ve been just the ticket for any Bunnies feeling like their surroundings were getting stale!
“Bunny Behavior”
From here, the manual moved on to its next section, which covered “Bunny Behavior.” It could be argued that this is where some of the more regimented aspects of the job start to come to light. For instance, the break system was pretty strict.
“Bunnies are to take breaks only when authorized and only with full knowledge of the Room Director or Lobby Director,” it read. “The Room Director will sign you ‘in’ and ‘out’ on your time card for all break times, and you must initial these hours daily.”
Taking a leave of absence
Time cards don’t exactly scream glamor or glitz! But that does bring us to the manual’s entry about absences. Bunnies couldn’t just miss shifts without putting plans in place first.
The booklet read, “If for any reason you are unable to work as scheduled, it is your responsibility to find a replacement. Check the schedule to see who has a regular day off that day. Then, arrange for one of those Bunnies to take your shift.”
Finding a “suitable” substitute
But in some cases, even that wouldn’t be enough. As the manual noted, “When obtaining a replacement, a Bunny must check to find out if the replacement is suitable. For example, a Bunny who works a showroom must secure a replacement who also is trained to work in this area.”
So the Bunny in question would’ve needed to do her research! The two women would also have been required to contact the club’s office to verify the switch was okay.
Bulletin boards and monthly meetings
The Bunnies were expected to stay up-to-date with the clubs’ bulletin boards, too. Important updates relating to the job could be shared there, as well as the time of the monthly “Bunny Meetings.”
Yep, they were a thing. We wonder what those gatherings would’ve been like... There was even a “Bunny Council” that had its own meetings, which was made up of leaders from the individual rooms at the clubs. So you couldn’t say the women weren’t organized!
Photo sessions
The Bunnies’ responsibilities weren’t just restricted to the club floor, either. The manual stated, “All Bunnies are scheduled for one photographic session with the local Playboy Club photographer. Bunnies wear full Bunny costumes and accessories for this shooting and are paid $1.25 per hour.”
In today’s money, that’s the equivalent of a little over $11. The photo itself was pretty important, as it ended up on the women’s “permanent Playboy record.” Perhaps that explains the inclusion of the makeup tips at the end of this segment!
Dating rules
The pamphlet also outlined the strict rules the Playboy Clubs had regarding dating. Apparently, the Bunnies were banned from entering romantic relationships with their co-workers and visiting guests. If they ignored that ruling, the women could be fired on the spot.
In addition to that, none of the Bunnies could share personal details about themselves to patrons, such as their last names or phone numbers. They weren’t allowed to do that on behalf of a fellow Bunny, either.
Bunnies could only drink “behind the scenes”
But while the dating rules might’ve been somewhat understandable, the food and drink restrictions were on another level. The booklet read, “Bunnies are not permitted to chew gum or eat while on duty.”
“Bunnies are not permitted to drink soft drinks, lemonade, or even water in view of keyholders and guests.” It wasn’t a full-on ban, though. “[They] may drink these non-alcoholic beverages ‘behind the scenes,’” the passage continued.
Workers had to look “Bunny-perfect”
As for the Bunnies’ preparation before starting a shift, they weren’t allowed to go straight to their workstation. Each woman had to undergo an inspection that okayed their appearance. The manual noted, “The Bunnies’ hair, nails, shoes, makeup, and costume must be ‘Bunny-perfect.’”
“No Bunny is permitted to begin working unless appearance specifications are met. Demerits may be issued for carelessness in this regard.” Yes, a merit and demerit system was in place at the Playboy Clubs to help manage the employees.
Small talk and dancing
What about socializing during a shift, though? Were the Playboy Bunnies allowed to chat with guests at the club? Well, only to a certain degree. Outright “mingling,” as the manual puts it, was a no-go that would’ve led to their firing.
Yet brief small talk was permitted. And at every club barring the one in New York, Bunnies could pose for photos alongside their customers, too. So long as there wasn’t any touching, there’d be no issues. Plus, dancing was okay in most places.
“Acceptable dances”
“Bunnies may dance with patrons at the feature dance party, provided there is no close physical contact,” the pamphlet read. “[The] twist, watusi, bugaloo, etc., are examples of acceptable dances.” Hey, it was the ’60s!
The only Playboy Clubs that didn’t let that happen were in New York and Atlanta, Georgia. We wonder if the Bunnies there ever got jealous of their co-workers from other states... Small talk would have to do for them.
Promotional work
The Bunnies were barred from getting phone calls at the club. The person in charge of the switchboard could only take urgent messages on their behalf. On the work front, they had to be prepared for promotional ventures if Playboy deemed them “Bunny-worthy.”
Now, a lot of importance was placed on those appearances, as it would give the Bunny a platform to showcase herself. But of course, the job would bring with it more mandates to follow.
“Puts you in the spotlight”
The manual stated, “A personal appearance puts you in the spotlight. If you are chosen to make such an appearance, it means that Playboy Magazine and the Playboy Clubs feel that you are truly representative of the feminine charm and beauty for which Playboy is noted.”
“So it is in your own interest that you maintain [that] image. For this reason, we ask each of you to observe certain Do’s and Don’ts. Bunnies are famous and have a responsibility to themselves and their public.”
The “Do’s” and “Don’ts”
Some of the “Do’s” for the Bunnies included staying punctual and looking their “loveliest” at the event. That meant arriving with a spotless Bunny costume, perfectly manicured nails, and a great hairstyle. They were also encouraged to be friendly and open when meeting other people.
“[You should] conduct yourself in such a way that never leaves you or Playboy open to criticism,” the pamphlet read. As for the “Don’ts,” there were a few things that the women definitely had to avoid.
Avoiding controversy
Much like at the clubs, the Bunnies couldn’t consume any alcohol at the events, while forming romantic relationships was off the table, too. The book says, “[Don’t] make any comments that are controversial or negative about yourself, Playboy, or the promotion on which you are working.”
Oh, and unless they’d been told otherwise, the Bunnies had to sport their iconic uniform. All in all, you’d arguably regard these rules were firm but fair, given the professional capacity of the women’s appearances.
Smoking rules
Going back to the clubs, though, the Playboy Bunnies had to be aware of a few other points during their shifts. Smoking was a big one. The manual read, “One Table Bunny at a time may smoke at the service bar. Door Bunnies and Gift Shop Bunnies may smoke at their stations.”
“But in all cases when a Bunny is smoking while on duty, she is to ‘take a puff’ and set the cigarette in an ashtray. Bunnies are not to stand or sit holding a cigarette.”
Secret shoppers
The Bunnies also had to be on their guard for secret shoppers, who’d help the Playboy Clubs assess their performances. It was seen as a way to highlight those who were excelling at their tasks on a regular basis.
So yes, to say the workers had a lot to remember and be mindful of regarding their behavior would be a major understatement! Yet that brings us to the next section of the manual, which focuses on the Bunnies’ “Appearance and Grooming.”
“Be the perfect personification of ‘Bunny Image’”
To open this section, the manual stated, “Your public and Playboy expect you to be a beautiful, well-groomed young lady who projects warmth and graciousness at all times. Therefore, you will always want to look your best and be the perfect personification of ‘Bunny Image.’”
“[It’s] so essential in your role that failure to meet and maintain the standards of this image can result in dismissal.” But again, the Bunnies had to follow some specific protocols.
The Bunnies had to buy certain accessories
While the Bunnies at the clubs were handed two uniforms and various accessories when they started, including Bunny ears and a tail, the women didn’t get everything. They had to buy dyed shoes, “regulation” hose, and bikini bottoms themselves.
If any employee misplaced one of those items, she’d have to open her purse for a replacement. As for the jewelry situation, other than a pair of official Playboy cufflinks, the Bunnies couldn’t sport rings or necklaces during their shifts.
“Always spotlessly clean and neat”
The Playboy Bunnies had to keep something else in mind as well. The manual read, “Bunny costumes are turned in to the wardrobe mistress at the end of each day. She will see to it that costumes are laundered on a daily basis or when necessary.”
“Make sure you are never caught short of costumes or accessories. It is your responsibility to see that your costume and accessories are always spotlessly clean and neat.” They wouldn’t be deemed “Bunny-perfect” otherwise!
Personal hygiene
Hair and makeup were also covered in this part of the manual, reiterating the importance of the “Bunny Image.” Yet it could be argued that the most eye-catching passage related to personal hygiene.
Given their line of work, a lot was expected of the Bunnies before they even left their dressing room. “Good grooming starts with a daily bath and good deodorant,” the pamphlet continues. “Regular use of body lotion will keep your skin soft and pretty.”
Keep those hands and nails clean!
“Special attention must be given to your hands and nails; make sure that they are always clean and well manicured,” the manual read. “However, wash [your] hands thoroughly after applying perfume, lotion, or hair spray. These preparations impart an odor that clings to glasses and produces an undesirable flavor to cocktails.”
You can imagine how much time the Bunnies would have to spend putting all of this into practice prior to their shifts. To round this section off, the booklet provided a passage containing “helpful hints.”
Coke-bottle hack
In a bid to make the Bunnies’ lives a little easier, the manual had a few recommendations to take on board. For example, when being fitted with their Bunny costume, the women were advised to curve their backs so they could get the “best possible fit.”
When it came to dealing with tired feet, it was suggested that they let them soak in heated salt water for a spell, before hoisting them up. If that didn’t help, the booklet proposed a unique alternative. It recommended, “Try rolling your feet over an empty Coke bottle.” We’d love to know whether that actually worked!
“A valuable friend and confidante”
The penultimate section of the booklet is “Supervisory Personnel.” The Bunnies received more information about their superiors, such as the General Manager, Shift Manager, and Room Director. Then there was the Bunny Mother.
What did she do? Well, according to the manual, “She’ll hire and train you, coordinate your hours, and supervise your work. Her position is similar to that of a college advisor, and you will find her a valuable friend and confidante.”
Formal relationships
But while the Bunny Mother should apparently have been seen as a pal, the relationship between the Playboy Bunnies and the rest of their superiors was much more formal. If she was the college advisor, they were more like teachers or professors.
The manual noted, “Bunnies should address male supervisory personnel as Mr. and accept instructions in a cheerful, cooperative manner.” Then the final section detailed the responsibilities of the women’s co-workers. From bartenders to busboys, it was all covered here.
Dealing with the seamstress and wardrobe mistress
When it came to the seamstress, a Bunny had to be on top of her timekeeping due to her “busy schedule.” Late arrivals to meetings were a big no-no! The wardrobe mistress was equally busy — she was in charge of washing all of the Bunny outfits.
Yet her work didn’t end there. The manual said, “Please see that the wardrobe mistress is aware of any necessary repairs needed for your costume, and that you relay to her instructions given to you by any supervisory personnel regarding your costume.”
“One of the most enjoyable aspects of the new job”
Of course, we can’t forget about the other Bunnies. The manual added, “You will meet many wonderful people from among the Bunny ranks and will find these new associations one of the most enjoyable aspects of the new job.”
“Naturally, friendliness, consideration, and cooperation will make new friends for you and help keep the ones you’ve already made.” That brings our read-through of the pamphlet to a close: something tells us that your views of the Playboy Bunny lifestyle might be a little different now!