Who Owns the Vanilla Unicorn? A Deep Dive into GTA V’s Infamous Strip Club
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The Vanilla Unicorn, a prominent location in Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V), is more than just a strip club; it’s a pivotal hub in the game’s narrative and a place of both chaos and entertainment. So, who exactly owns this notorious establishment? Officially, the Vanilla Unicorn begins as a private entertainment club and bar owned by Marty Banks. However, this ownership is relatively short-lived. The establishment is then dramatically seized by Trevor Philips during the storyline. While Dexx Martin and Jessie Jugg initially own small percentages of the company, their role fades into insignificance after Trevor’s forceful takeover. Thus, while the club starts under Marty Banks’ ownership with minor stakeholders, it eventually falls under the de facto control of Trevor Philips through violent means, making him the primary figure associated with its operation for a significant portion of the game.
The Initial Ownership: Marty Banks and Minor Stakeholders
Before Trevor Philips disrupts the status quo, the Vanilla Unicorn is managed and owned by Marty Banks. The club operates as a standard business, albeit one with unique offerings. Alongside Marty, Dexx Martin and Jessie Jugg hold small, presumably insignificant percentages of the company. Their exact roles and influence are not deeply explored in the game, implying that they held little operational control and were primarily investors or silent partners.
The Downfall of Marty Banks’ Reign
Marty Banks’ ownership is abruptly ended when Trevor Philips arrives. This dramatic shift occurs during the mission “Hang Ten.” After violently dispatching Floyd and his girlfriend, Trevor, accompanied by Wade, descends upon the Vanilla Unicorn. Here, he murders the manager/owner, Leon, whose body is then unceremoniously stuffed into a refrigerator. This act of brutal takeover marks the end of Marty’s operational control over the club and the beginning of Trevor’s reign.
Trevor Philips: The Unconventional Owner
With the death of Leon, Trevor Philips effectively takes control of the Vanilla Unicorn, establishing it as his de facto headquarters and a safe house. The club becomes a significant part of Trevor’s chaotic life, reflecting his unpredictable and volatile personality. Despite not being an “official owner” in a legal sense, Trevor commands the day-to-day operations, ensuring that the Vanilla Unicorn bends to his will.
The Vanilla Unicorn as Trevor’s Domain
Under Trevor’s control, the Vanilla Unicorn serves multiple purposes. It acts as a base of operations, a place to unwind (or cause trouble), and a symbol of Trevor’s newfound power. The club’s atmosphere shifts to reflect Trevor’s presence, though it maintains its core functionality as a strip club. His control over the Vanilla Unicorn is absolute, showcasing his ability to not only take over but to also establish dominion over his surroundings.
The Vanilla Unicorn’s Role in the Game
The Vanilla Unicorn serves as more than just a location; it’s a character in itself, reflecting the game’s themes of ambition, violence, and societal excess. It is the only accessible strip club in GTA V and provides various player interactions, making it a key component of the game’s open-world environment. It also provides the only means for players to get a “girlfriend” in the game through interactions with the non-playable character strippers.
The Club’s Location
The Vanilla Unicorn is strategically located on Elgin Avenue in Strawberry, Los Santos, next to the Olympic Freeway. Its location is marked on the map with a high-heel shoe icon, making it easily identifiable to players. This position makes it convenient for players to access, contributing to its popularity as a central game location.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Vanilla Unicorn based on?
The Vanilla Unicorn is a clear parody of the Spearmint Rhino, a chain of strip clubs with locations across the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States. Both share similar naming conventions, using a flavor and a horned animal.
2. Who owns Spearmint Rhino in real life?
The founder and CEO of Spearmint Rhino Consulting Worldwide is John Gray.
3. Can you get a girlfriend in GTA V?
Unlike GTA IV, the primary way to have a “girlfriend” in GTA V is by interacting with the strippers at the Vanilla Unicorn.
4. What happens if Trevor dies in GTA V?
If Trevor dies, the player can no longer play as him, his assets are lost, and his side missions become inaccessible. Michael will also lose trust in Franklin.
5. What should you do after Trevor dies?
After Trevor dies, you can only continue as either Michael or Franklin. All of Trevor’s properties and assets will be lost.
6. Who wants Trevor dead in GTA V?
Towards the end of the game, Dave and Steve want Trevor dead because he’s seen as a liability, and Devin Weston seeks revenge against Michael, also involving Franklin in the plot to kill Trevor.
7. Where is the safe code in the Vanilla Unicorn?
The safe code is found on a post-it note that can spawn in one of three places inside the Vanilla Unicorn: on the bar near the “Vanilla Unicorn” neon sign, on the raised dancing platform in the center of the main room, or near the kitchen area.
8. What can you do inside the Vanilla Unicorn?
The Vanilla Unicorn offers lap dances, the ability to throw money at strippers, and the possibility of getting thrown out by bodyguards.
9. Did Michael betray Trevor?
Yes, Michael intentionally betrayed both Trevor and Brad in the prologue, aiming to end his life of crime and start a new life.
10. Is Trevor the bad guy in GTA V?
Trevor is portrayed as an anti-hero, not entirely good or bad. While he displays violence and chaos, he also shows vulnerability and insecurity, particularly concerning his Canadian heritage.
11. Why did Trevor go insane?
Trevor’s behavior fits the criteria for borderline personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, and substance abuse, leading to his unstable and unpredictable behavior.
12. Why was Trevor killed by others?
Haines sees Trevor as a liability due to his unpredictability, while Weston seeks revenge and uses Franklin to finish the deed against Michael and Trevor.
13. Can you undo killing Trevor in GTA V?
No, once you kill Trevor, he is no longer a playable character. You would need to start a new game to play as him again.
14. Can you achieve 100% game completion after killing Trevor?
Yes, you can still reach 100% completion even after killing Trevor as long as his required missions are completed before the final choice.
15. Can Michael and Franklin hang out after killing Trevor?
If Trevor is killed, Michael and Franklin will not hang out with you. The only way to maintain friendships with either of them is to choose Ending C, which results in Trevor’s survival.
The Vanilla Unicorn, while not a traditional business with stable ownership, plays a pivotal role in GTA V’s narrative. Starting under Marty Banks, quickly transitioning under the control of Trevor Philips following violent events, it remains a fascinating location that is emblematic of the chaos and dark humor prevalent in the game.