Learn the ropes. There’s no substitute for hands on experience, behind the bar, at the door, or in a management position. A good resource for more information on the industry is theNightclub & Bar/Beverage Retailer/Food & Beverage Convention & Trade Show. This national event attracts thousands of people working in the hospitality industry.more
Don’t open on a whim. Being a successful nightclub owner is not just about having enough money to open, it’s about having enough to stay open. Think through your idea for a club. Create a business plan that outlines all your ideas and strategies for implementing those ideas. more
Fill a niche. Don’t open a reggae club where there are already 10 reggae clubs. Find a void that needs to be filled. If you’re in a suburban area it might be a sports bar. Be sure to study the demographics of the neighborhood and what its’ residents like and dislike. more
Get your own brand. Don't try to duplicate someone else's success. The whole idea is to make your club unique. It's about branding now and the trick is to make people want to come back again and bring their friends.more
Don’t go it alone. Starting a nightclub can create a huge financial burden. To ease your money woes, take on a partner or two. In addition to pooling your cash, you can also combine your experience and skills set. more
Raise and save. Banks and other investors tend to loosen the purse strings when business owners throw some of their own money into the mix. If possible, try to raise half of the total start-up costs. It could go a long way to securing the needed capital for your club. more
Check ID. Don’t let an underage person with a fake ID put you out of business. If you’re caught serving alcohol to underage drinkers you could not only lose your liquor license, but your entire club. Install ID verification systems and use them religiously.more
Hire people you trust. You can’t be at the club around the clock, so hire people who are as committed as you to the business. It’s not a bad idea to bring on family wherever possible. more
Create a buzz. Now that you’ve built the club, will they come? That depends on how you promote it. Use the tried-and-true methods such as drink specials, celebrity performances, reduced admission before a certain hour, and the wildly popular “ladies get in free.†Just remember that the public is fickle and a club can go from ‘hot’ to ‘not’ in just a matter of months. Start with a strong promotions campaign. Ready to open your own business? Join us at Black Enterprise's annual Entrepreneurs Conference, taking place May 22-25, 2011 in Atlanta Georgia. Visit blackenterprise.com/ec for more details. As an incentive BE is offering you a discount on early registration: Enter code BEDG295 and receive $200 off.more