Andrew
05-03-2003, 09:46 AM
David refers to the "Gypsy Effect" in http://www.nightclub-business.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=1313#post1313.
One club I frequent has varying cover charges depending on the night of the week. It's usually free before 10pm (no stamp) and because we have the good old rubber stamp system operating here in Oz, if you leave the club then you will have to pay the correct fee upon re-entry to earn the stamp. Once you have the stamp then you can go and check out the other clubs and come back if you want (that's what I like to do).
It is not graduated but I agree with David -- the later you arrive, the more one should expect to pay as long as those clubs that trade late into the following day implement a gradually reducing cover charge as the crowd thins. The club can then still draw from the dwindling pool of available clubbers (of course, this may also bring "cheap" people but they can't stay long anyway)
If it works both ways the patrons should have no reason to complain.
By the way, there are no clubs in my town that offer any drink vouchers with an increased cover charge but that may be an idea to limit the number of "tyre kickers" (I don't know how ethical that is, tho'). Even as a patron, I think it's all wrong when people pay a minimal cover charge, don't drink anything and still expect to be entertained all night!
One club I frequent has varying cover charges depending on the night of the week. It's usually free before 10pm (no stamp) and because we have the good old rubber stamp system operating here in Oz, if you leave the club then you will have to pay the correct fee upon re-entry to earn the stamp. Once you have the stamp then you can go and check out the other clubs and come back if you want (that's what I like to do).
It is not graduated but I agree with David -- the later you arrive, the more one should expect to pay as long as those clubs that trade late into the following day implement a gradually reducing cover charge as the crowd thins. The club can then still draw from the dwindling pool of available clubbers (of course, this may also bring "cheap" people but they can't stay long anyway)
If it works both ways the patrons should have no reason to complain.
By the way, there are no clubs in my town that offer any drink vouchers with an increased cover charge but that may be an idea to limit the number of "tyre kickers" (I don't know how ethical that is, tho'). Even as a patron, I think it's all wrong when people pay a minimal cover charge, don't drink anything and still expect to be entertained all night!