BAR & NIGHTCLUB MANAGEMENT 2012
First, stop writing checks. Stop spending money,
Stop signing contracts, Stop meeting with salespeople, stop,
stop, stop.
Take a long hard look @ what your spending, why your
spending, where your spending, who your spending with? There
comes a time especially when you've only been open a year and
your business has dropped, or when you have been open five
years or longer and your nights have declined, that you need
to seriously take the time to look at:
1. What your doing nightly?
2. What your spending to draw in patrons nightly?
3. What kind of results is your spending producing?
For every dollar you spend in Marketing, on
Promotions, you must see a $10 return or stop now. look at
what you have spent, these are the ACTUAL MONEY MONTHS right
now.
Yet your venue is slow especially on Friday Nights,
when you should have a line outside.
You need new management, new staff, new format, new
FUN, new WOW, new FAB , it's time to clean out the old and
bring in the ALL NEW.
You have everything to gain and nothing , absolutely
nothing to lose.
Some Owners change the name of their Venue, some
repaint the outside, some finally redo their restrooms, some
bring in Partners, ( HUGE MISTAKE) unless the word "SILENT" is
hammered into the agreement, the interest rate SHOULD NEVER BE
MORE THAN 5%, NOT IN THESE RISE & DIVE TIMES.
If your the type of Owner who gives your Manager all
the authority, all the power, while you run your other
business, or you spend time with your Family, but you find
your putting more and more money into your venue, it's time
for a forensic audit. Because of your lax business attitude,
quite often the GM is like a kid in a candy store. So before
you lose another dime, now is the time.
Find out what is really going on. You can't sell a bar
for a decent profit, that is not making the same. Quite often
the GM cooks the books. That's why you need a double check, a
checks and balance system in place. It's like putting a camera
on the kitchen's back door to make sure the Porterhouses and
Lobsters are not leaving the back way, instead of being
served.
If your GM does not show you a disciplined, consistent
daily operation, then find one who will.
When your GM drinks on the job, buys patrons drinks,
lets employees drink, all are a NO NO.
When your GM spends more time in the office than on
the floor it's time to say GO GO GO.
When your GM makes up excuses rather than resolves
situations all the time, it's time to say BYE BYE.
Rich,
I got into this, 3 weeks ago right before new year's into
this nightclub business as 50% partner.
Club has 2 floors total of 25000 sf space.
Dumped money in it but place is open one day a week and
promoters claiming that the colleges is out. On new year's
eve, we had 380 people... While some other paces in our area
had 1700 people.
More over we are spending on radio 15-30 second spots per day
does not help.
I have read your blog and I see that many things we are doing
wrong.
How about some serious advice?
We surrounded by 5 big colleges in _________________.
Our pr,others targeting 18 and up crowd on Saturday and not
working on getting any other night as they claim if we do any
other night we will lose our Saturday night crowd.
Look I dumped money in to this now I really need to see some
actions here so I need your help. Robert
MY RESPONSE: ROBERT, WALK AWAY NOW, IN FACT RUN AS
FAST AS YOU CAN.
YOU HAVE BEEN SCAMMED. YOUR A 50% PARTNER, BUT ALL
YOUR DOING IS BEING MILKED LIKE A COW. YOU DUMP MONEY IN, BUT
THE CLUB IS ONLY OPEN ONE NIGHT A WEEK?????????????
ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, YOU ONLY HAD 370 PATRONS, WHILE
OTHER CLUBS HAD 1700 CLUBBERS?
YOUR RUNNING THIRTY SECOND RADIO SPOTS WHICH AS YOU
CAN SEE FIRST HAND ARE TOTALLY WORTHLESS.
YOUR SURROUNDED BY FIVE, FIVE COLLEGES YET NONE OF
THESE STUDENTS SEEM TO BE COMING IN?
YOUR AIMING AT 18 AND UP?
YOUR NOT WORKING ON PACKING YOUR NIGHTS, BECAUSE YOUR
PROMOTERS TELL YOU THAT IF YOU PACK ANOTHER NIGHT, YOUR 370
PATRONS ON SATURDAY NIGHT WON'T ATTEND THAT NIGHT?THE ACTION
YOU WANT TO TAKE IS AS FOLLOWS READ WORD FOR WORD AND
CAREFULLY.
ROBERT, OPEN THE CLUB DOOR SLOWLY, AFTER GRABBING THE
CHECKBOOK CLOSE OUT THE ACCOUNT, TAKE WHATEVER MONEY YOU HAVE
IN THE BANK AND RUN, DON'T LOOK BACK. CLOSE THIS CLUB DOWN AND
THEN GET RID OF EVERY SINGLE PERSON INVOVLED.
THEN WE CHANGE THE NAME, REVAMP, REINVENT, REPOSITION
AND RELAUNCH.
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NEVER EVER LEAVE YOUR DRINK ALONE:
Always beware of strangers at a bar is a pretty good rule: A
lesson for a TV weatherman who says he was drugged in South
Florida by women working for the Russian mob.
John Bolaris, a former Fox affiliate weatherman, told
authorities he was approached by two women in a Miami Beach bar
and woke up days later owing more than $43,000 in credit card
charges for caviar, champagne and more. Bolaris recently lost
his job after telling the tale in a December Playboy
interview.
The FBI investigated and eventually arrested 17 members of
the mob accused of defrauding at least 88 men in South Beach,
according to
media reports
___________________________________________________________________________________________
hi,
first things my name is Larry...really enjoyed just
reading thru some of your stories and posts.great advice.the
reason for my e mail is to get your advice on opening a new
venue.i have a amazing space like nothing in the area
at 35000 sq ft on two levels my main room is 20000 sq ft on
its own.the only two venues that come even close to my
size is 10000 sq ft and its a restaurant during the day
then weekends turns into a night club til 1 or 2 am and we
can stay open til 4.my question is what can I do for my
place to really bring in that wow factor .after reading your
site and to be honest I was just gonna create what most
places do college night, ladies night and etc...wanted to
see if you can give me some fresh ideas advice anything on
really how to wow them.my location is not even open yet,
not till march and we currently are still building I have
not even yet put the sign up outside still working on the
design to really draw attention ...a little about my place
is again its 35000 sq ft the main floor has 2 elevated vip
booths with private bathrooms for those in vip towards
the front the back of the building will have a large stage
and more vip sections amazing sound system and just now
trying to put together something really above the rest for
the lights....for decor unsure what to really go for....was
thinking about maybe doing something along the lines of
different artists that have made a huge impact in the
music field sorta like a music hall of fame to party in lol
...would love some ideas or anything you can help me with
thanks in advance
MY RESPONSE: LARRY, WHY WOULD YOU EVEN WASTE
MONEY, SPACE AND ENERGY ON OPENING A RESTAURANT, WHICH YOU SAY
WOULD OPERATE DURING THE DAY? WHY INCUR THAT EXPENSE AT ALL?
WHY COPY WHAT EVERYONE IS DOING?
YOU SOUND VERY INEXPERIENCED AND YOU HAVE NO
FORMAT, ABSOLUTELY NO COMPREHENSION OF FUN, VOW TO WOW OR FAB
WHICH YOU ADMIT, BUT WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS FOCUSING ON VIP,
VIP,VIP, WHEN YOUR MAIN CUSTOMER THRUST IS COMPRISED OF FIVE
COLLEGES THAT YOU ARE GOING TO RELY ON FOR A HUGE PORTION OF
YOUR REVENUE. MANY CLUBS HAVE INCREDIBLE SOUND, LIGHTS,
VIDEO, A HUGE STAGE AND STILL SIT IDLE @ NIGHT.
YOU APPEAR TO HAVE NO CLEAR VISION, NO SPECIFIC
DIRECTION WITH REGARD TO IMAGE, DECOR, OR ATMOSPHERE. I
EMAILED YOU TO SEND ME THE PLANS, THE BLUEPRINTS, BUT YOU
NEVER RESPONDED, I WISH YOU THE BEST, BUT I GIVE YOU ONE YEAR
TOPS BEFORE YOU CLOSE. YOU ARE FLYING BY THE SEAT OF YOUR
PANTS WITH NO MANUAL, NO EXPERIENCE, NO KNOWLEDGE, NO
BACKGROUND AND NO VISION, JUST EGO AND MORE EGO.
GOOD LUCK, BECAUSE YOU ARE GOING TO NEED IT, AND THAT IS JUST
FOR STARTERS. BY THE WAY 86 THE ELEVATED VIP BOOTHS THEY ARE
WORTHLESS AND HAVE NO ENERGY AT ALL. YOUR GIVING THE VIP
BOOTHS PRIVATE BATHROOMS? WHY? DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT IS
GOING TO INCREASE VIP SERVICE? I HAVE NEWS FOR YOU, VIP IN THE
MAJORITY OF THE USA IS FINISHED. IT'S OVER. I WOULD RATHER
HAVE A CLUB FULL OF 250 PATRONS, PRIMARILY WOMEN 60% TO 70%
AND QUALITY MALE SPENDERS, WHICH IS WHAT I FOCUS ON, RATHER
THAN 3/4 OF MY VIP AREA SOLD. PERHAPS SOME DAY YOU WILL SEE
THE CLEARITY. EMAIL
RichUnger@promotingnightclubs.com
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FED UP WITH YOUR CLUB'S BUSINESS?
Hi, Rich
I have read quite a few of your articles
and am continuing to finish off whatever else I can find. But
I would like some advice for my situation.
I am looking at a bar the price is right
the location is great, the bar itself is recently renovated,
lease is fairly low over a long period of time, plenty of
lights and good sound. However recently it has changed hands
twice within the last 6 months due to people not knowing what
to do and running the bar down. As well the current market in
the city is that people buy a bar make their money back in a
year or two and make a little extra then flip it. And the
nightlife in my town is horrid there are maybe 3 powerhouse
bars that are packed nightly and then hundreds of shacks and
dives that are still fairly full just because the people there
couldn't get into the powerhouse bars.
What could I do to become a powerhouse
as well. I will admit that I was going after cheaper
discounted drinks and no cover charge and cheap gimmicks to
start but I want to stand out and
Second issue is that I want my friends
and family to support me I have been working in bars for most
of my adult career and I know how things are done and have the
experience to run my own but I want people to quit looking at
the risks and problems and start looking at the brighter side.
What can I do to persuade them?
Thanks
Ron
MY RESPONSE: HERE WE GO AGAIN, RON, WHY
TAKE OVER A BAR THAT CHANGES HANDS FASTER THAN A STRIPPER
CHANGES COSTUMES? TWO DIFFERENT OWNERS IN SIX MONTHS. THAT
SHOULD SEND UP THE BIGGEST RED FLAG THEY MAKE. IT SHOULD BE A
MAJOR WAKE UP CALL TO YOU?
THE BAR IS RUN DOWN. OF COURSE IT IS,
THE RENT MAY BE REASONABLE, BUT I CAN ASSURE YOU THE BAR NEEDS
SOME HEAVY LIFTING INTERIOR WISE.
AS FOR , THE TREND OF BUYING A CLUB, A
BAR, A SPORTS BAR, A RESTAURANT, A LOUNGE AND SELLING IT
WITHIN TWO YEARS, THIS HAS BEEN THE UNWRITTEN BUSINESS
STRATEGY OF THIS INDUSTRY FOR DECADES. BUY IT, CHURN IT AND
SELL IT. THE LONGER YOU OWN IT, THE MORE BUSINESS YOU SEE
EVAPORATE AND YOU END UP UNABLE TO SELL IT, UNABLE TO EVEN
TAKE ON A PARTNER, EITHER JUST BARELY GETTING BY OR CLOSING IT
DOWN.
YOU MAY WANT YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO
SUPPORT YOU, BUT THAT DOES NOT INSURE THEY WILL. YOU HAVE
WORKED IN BARS FOR MOST OF YOUR ADULT LIFE, AND YOU STATE YOU
KNOW HOW THINGS ARE DONE, AND YOU THINK, YOU THINK YOU HAVE
THE EXPERIENCE TO FINALLY SAY "I OWN A BAR". RON THE REASON
YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY ARE LOOKING AT THE RISKS AND PROBLEMS
IS BECAUSE YOUR BLINDED BY YOUR EGO, OF OWNING A BAR. YOUR NOT
BEING REALISTIC, YOUR NOT BEING SAVVY, YOUR JUST SAYING " I
WANT TO OWN THIS BAR". YOU ARE LETTING YOUR OWN ARROGANCE
PREVENT YOU FROM TAKING A LEGAL PAD , DRAWING A LINE DOWN THE
MIDDLE, ON THE RIGHT SIDE LISTING ALL THE ADVANTAGES OF BUYING
THIS BAR, ON THE LEFT SIDE LISTING ALL THE DISADVANTAGES OF
OWNING THIS BAR. BE HONEST TO YOURSELF, BE STREET SMART.
YOU ARE ENTERING A MARKET WITH THREE
POWERHOUSE BARS IN ADDITION TO THE TYPICAL DIVE BARS, RUNDOWN
HAUNTS, AND OTHER NEIGHBORHOOD WATERING HOLES. RON, THIS DOES
NOT SOUND IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM FOR YOU TO START YOUR
OWNERSHIP OF A BAR IN.
THERE IS NO UPSIDE TO THIS BUSINESS,
NOR THE TERMS. NOR THE IMAGE.
NOR THE CHALLENGES.
YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY CAN SEE IT ALL
CLEARLY, BUT YOU ARE BLINDED BY THE THOUGHT OF OWNING A BAR.
IF IT DON'T COME EASY LET IT GO, AND
THIS BAR IS NOT COMING EASY.
LET IT GO.
___________/
Hi Rich,
Ok, I am sure that you
are selling a program, and I want to find out more about it.
I have been in the same bar, same location, 17 years (bar
just turned 21). I have built it up over the years, but am
watching it fall down (sales wise), and I don't like it. I
am down over 500 bottles and almost as many cases of beer ,
comparing 2010 to 2011. We are fairly small (1900 sq ft,
occupancy 170). We don't sell food. We have pool, darts,
and live music. Golden Tee golf. Touch tunes juke box. I
have always considered us a "neighborhood" bar. We are not
a sports bar, or a concert venue, or pool hall, but a bit of
all three. I am looking for new ideas to reach new/old
patrons. We use face book, and have just started with
twitter. What have you got to help?
Thanks, Carl
MY RESPONSE:
Ok
Carl, I am not selling a program. I don't do seminars, I am
the leading "EXPERT", "AUTHORITY" on bars, lounges, clubs,
restaurants with night life, sports bars, pubs, taverns,
beach bars, for 40 years.
When you tell me that you are down
500 bottles of liquor in one year, almost as much beer, that
you hold 170, which means actually 200 patrons, that you
serve no food, but have darts, pool, and live music, along
with Golden Tee, plus you have Touch Tunes Juke Box, that's
all I need to know. Your bar is stuck in the worse time warp
I have ever heard of. You are not a neighborhood bar,
because the locals have found other watering holes to
frequent. You are not a sports bar you don't even mention
that you have any screens. You are not a concert venue,, or
pool hall, the problem is you are a tossed salad with alittle
bit of everything thrown in.
That is your problem. You have no
defined format. You don't need new ideas, you need a FRESH
INNOVATIVE LOOK, FEEL, SMELL, and FORMAT to REVIVE this
place. Using Face Book and Twitter mean nothing in the
scheme of where your bar is at right now. As for attempting
to reach old patrons, sadly many may have passed away, moved
away, and gone away. To attract new Patrons, you need what
you do not have any of, "FUN", "VOW TO WOW" or "FAB". What I
have is what you do not want. THAT IS "CHANGE".
You have operated this bar in the
same manner for so long, in all reality you need to step out
and let a FRESH NEW VERY EXPERIENCED FEMALE GENERAL MANAGER
COME IN, CONTACT ME and REBUILD THIS BAR. LET ME ADD WHEN
YOUR BAR DOES 500 BOTTLES OF LIQUOR LESS THAN THE YEAR
BEFORE, YOU DON'T JUST HANG OUT AND WALK THE FLOOR, YOU DO
ALOT MORE, YOU DO AS I REPEAT OVER/OVER REVAMP, REINVENT,
REIGNITE, REPOSITION, RETAKE YOUR DAYS, NIGHTS, WEEKENDS.
But your mentality is such, that you would rather suffer
than succeed. Your way too slow to ACT. I will never ever
understand Owners like you.
I cannot understand how a husband who
works day in night out in their food and beverage venue will
not take on the nite life because of the opposition of his
wife and vice versa.
CLOSE DOWN MONDAYS
If your food and
beverage establishment is not doing business on Mondays,
close. Why incur payroll, electric, water, sewer, from the
back of the house to the front of the house, it's not worth
it, just to be open and barely take in enough to break even.
Stop being so adamant about saving money, giving everyone a
rest, you taking a break, and letting your business breathe.
The Seven Day A Week
Business Plan, unless your a fast food, fast casual or
chain, does not work for most independents. The numbers are
just not there, nor are the bodies.
Sure if you own a
bar, your daytime bar stool sitters will be there when you
open @ 7am, your noon time regulars will be there when the
clock strikes 12pm, and your afternooners are money in the
bank. But when your night life is no existent, why even
fight it?
Some Owners think
Jazz is the answer WRONG.
Other Owners think
Country is the answer NOPE.
It doesn't matter
what genre of music you want to waste paying for live bands
to perform, Monday, Monday no good to me.
Monday, Monday, it
was all I never thought it would be.
CLOSE DOWN MONDAYS.
WANT TO PACK, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY,
FRIDAY, SATURDAY NIGHTS FROM 10PM TILL CLOSING.
NO CHEAP BEER OR DRINKS.
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