stuart
09-17-2004, 06:35 AM
So, I just bought a night club in a major market city. Since 1988, it has been an all ages teen club, but you'd never know it from the looks of the place. It is a great place with a large bar area, two separate dance floors, updated sound and lighting system and some of the most advanced visual effects I've seen in town. The place was only open 6 NIGHTS A MONTH before taking it over, and I am working at pulling it into a 5-night a week venue with swing dancing, live bands and dj dancing. Right now, we're operating at 3 nights a week.
Because it was always a teen club, they never had a need to get a liquor license, however, it is something I want to add and change the demos to an 18+ crowd instead of 13-17. In researching with the county, I found out that we will not be able to get a license because the maximum number of licenses are already issued for that particular area... (ok ok, I know. I should have checked before buying the club... but oh well.)
So, a friend of mine suggested turning it into a members club where you can serve liquor under a different license instead of a general on sale license. I've researched it with ABC and have some information on how to make it work, but was wondering if anyone is operating a members only club or what the general thoughts on it were. I haven't been able to find much information online about them.
Here are my thoughts on how I could make it work: Monthly membership dues of $20-$25/person. We would close the club one night a month (probably a Friday night) for members only. That evening, we would conduct our "members meetings" which would include live bands, dj dancing, and a hosted bar. Essentially, we can take one Friday a month for a huge party that everyone looks forward to, while still catering to the teens every other day of the week.
Once we get Friday's packed, we could begin our Saturday member nights once a month, and so on and so on.
Sure, it sounds good in theory, but once again, I've never been faced with this situation. I would love to hear from club owners/managers of "members only" clubs and to point out any flaws in my thinking (hopefully there are none) so I know whether or not this is a feasable solution.
Thanks for your input!
Stuart - Manager, Vertigo
www.vertigonights.com
Because it was always a teen club, they never had a need to get a liquor license, however, it is something I want to add and change the demos to an 18+ crowd instead of 13-17. In researching with the county, I found out that we will not be able to get a license because the maximum number of licenses are already issued for that particular area... (ok ok, I know. I should have checked before buying the club... but oh well.)
So, a friend of mine suggested turning it into a members club where you can serve liquor under a different license instead of a general on sale license. I've researched it with ABC and have some information on how to make it work, but was wondering if anyone is operating a members only club or what the general thoughts on it were. I haven't been able to find much information online about them.
Here are my thoughts on how I could make it work: Monthly membership dues of $20-$25/person. We would close the club one night a month (probably a Friday night) for members only. That evening, we would conduct our "members meetings" which would include live bands, dj dancing, and a hosted bar. Essentially, we can take one Friday a month for a huge party that everyone looks forward to, while still catering to the teens every other day of the week.
Once we get Friday's packed, we could begin our Saturday member nights once a month, and so on and so on.
Sure, it sounds good in theory, but once again, I've never been faced with this situation. I would love to hear from club owners/managers of "members only" clubs and to point out any flaws in my thinking (hopefully there are none) so I know whether or not this is a feasable solution.
Thanks for your input!
Stuart - Manager, Vertigo
www.vertigonights.com