New to Nightclubs

[Mangas8282]

Hello Everyone,
I am new to this board and am very glad that I found this resource. I have been pondering the thought of opening a nightclub for some time now. Finally, time and finances permit and I have the opportunity to pursue this endeavour. I have a good business sense and a general knowledge of managment/operations of the business. What I don't know about are all the fine details. I have been endlessly searching online for information, but I all that I can turn up is consultation firms. I would really like some direction as to the steps I need to take to pursue this. I have scoped out a couple locations and have an apointment next week to look at one club. I started a list of things that I need to ask; inspections, code violations, capacity, and other things of the sort, but I would like to know if there are certain things that I should look for or ask about. Other then that I am open to any advice or references to other resources.

Taj

[Mangas8282]

I figured I left out a few key aspects of what I had in mind. If I elaborate more then hopefully you guys can help me out better. The club will be located in Gainesville, Fl home of the University of Florida. It is a college town with large student population. The nightlife is very competetive and generally clubs who are neglected or "get old" don't last long. My goal is to appeal to the more upscale crowd, not the average beer drinking rowdy college student. There is one club in particular who draws in a similar crowd and would be my top competition. I want to steal their customers right out from under them. However, I also know the key to success in a college town is appealing to "Greek" life. I figure one of the nights would be dedicated to them and I would offer out my club for "rent" to fraternities for various theme parties. I want a high technology club that blows away any local club. I know that this in itself will be very expensive, but I am lucky in the facet that I have several connections with contractors, electricians, stereo and lighting equip, and a variety of other people with various skills that will greatly reduce my initial costs. My father owns a flooring company which imports glass block from the manufacture for next to nothing. My main club design will involve a lot of neon lit glass block. This is one of many themes of the club. I am trying to figure out how to make the club appeal to all customers while still retaining an overall exclusive atmosphere. Sorry for the long rambling post. I have just had all these ideas floating around that I need to ge out.

[David]

One thing to keep in mind is that glass is one of the most sound distructive materials out there. It is highly reflective on the high end side of your music. I would limit it to areas away from the music and the dance floor. Check with a sound engineer to get the rest of the story.

[mfaydj]

The only thing I can offer is this.

The company I work for helped design, install and programme a venue in Ireland which this year was voted, Most technological club of the year, in Ireland.

The venue uses EAW and Crest Audio sound. Coef and SGM lighting and a host of plasma and large screens which help SMS interactive programmes and other things in the club. We are incredibly up to dat in new revelations and LED would be a consideration instead of NEON. New Luxon technology LED is incredibly bright, low energy use and can offer up to 100,000 hours of a life span. I would be delighted to offer any assistance I can in regard to sound, light and visuals. Please feel free to contact me.

Best Regareds