Over 30's singles / general night advice?

[yourdj]

very little going on in my area and myself and one of my DJ's has decided to either set up solely a singles night or a general over 30's night.

We are looking at a week day, but week ends are an option too.

Either a bar with function room or hotel/corporate venue or maybe a hall. All about the management/location and a deal of some sort as i don't really like working with idiot managers/owners with no business sense on a long term basis.

The area is near a big city but geographically separated by water. it is a little sleepy although the people are up for it. it is also on the border of the New forest which have more up market types.

http://www.multimap.com/maps/?hloc=GB|so45#map=50.87401,-1.36711|13|32&loc=GB:50.84684:-1.39489:16|so45|SO45

Generally we will start it with a simple disco and get an idea from the guests for what to do in terms of entertainment from there. things like fancy dress, salsa lessons, themed nights etc. are possible. Anything which will get a good vibe going, which is not too difficult as there is very little else.

I am thinking of a private members club thing with discounts for members on the door. All about the venue really as any pubs are cliquey and have multiple entrances/exits, which confuses charging etc. and head counts.

The revenue will come from door charges and possibly amount per head (something like 75p) from the venue if on a week day only (any other ways to make money suggestions welcome). We currently selling sangria over the bar on our thursday night international student party which adds a bit (on top of £200 from bar and door take).

We want to attract about 70-100 people per week, and generally get about 10% of total take (if on week night) which i think is fair as it would other wise be dead.

We may provide food and the evening will run on till about 12 ish so not a late one. It may be an after work thing?

Only just planning it so sorry for being vague :)

Any ideas or advice appreciated :)

[DazzyD]

I think you've got some good ideas, Toby, and I hope things work out well for you. You could be on the way to a big success (it's a gap in the market and the Pink nights made a certain entrepreneur a very large sum of money).

My only concern is that, from experience, the 30-40 age range seem to be the most reluctant to get up and dance and, perhaps, are more inclined to speed-dating type events.

I'm sure forum members will give you the advice you need to make it work. My thoughts would be 90s indie / dance music (it's my age range and my era after all!).

Anyway, do let us know how you get on. I, for one, am very interested!!

[yourdj]

Thanks, we set the age from 30, but we would like to attract people from 40 to 60 with music from 60's to acceptable todays chart etc.

I don't think it will be all about the disco, more of a busy night with nice people to socialize with and something too do? ideally the disco bit will be in another room so people have the choice to dance or not?

thought about doing speed dating a different way as that seems to have been done to death. I recon i will set up something simple and then play it by ear.

My international student party was organically developed over several years. I think it needs to be constantly different as older people are more demanding than students in busy bars.

Thanks for the comments.

[DazzyD]

You're welcome. I'm waiting to see how your ideas turn out. If it's a huge success and you decide to franchise out the idea can I be first in the queue?!? ;)

[robbiedj]

Sounds an idea but I would suggest you check if you need a licence.



Check here (http://www.djlicence.org.uk/pdffiles/Licensing%20Royalties.pdf)

Look before you start organising and check what licences the venue holds.

[yourdj]

Thanks, if we choose the right venue they should already have one. especially corporate event places etc. Will bear in mind though


Thanks, if we choose the right venue they should already have one. especially corporate event places etc. Will bear in mind though

Been thinking of getting one as i'm doing more than discos etc. now. how much are they?

[robbiedj]

You need to check the PPL/MCPS/PRS sites. Prices vary for duration (1 off/ weekly/monthly etc) and size/type of function.

[DJmissbehaving]

Dam it.....i was going to ask if there was under 30s allowed to attend but if the age group is 40-60 that is way out of my criteria...haha

[yourdj]

Dam it.....i was going to ask if there was under 30s allowed to attend but if the age group is 40-60 that is way out of my criteria...haha

You also have a long way to travel :) (498 miles) We may let in others, depends on event? Probably wont be doing pole dancing though :lol:

[DazzyD]

You also have a long way to travel :) (498 miles) We may let in others, depends on event? Probably wont be doing pole dancing though :lol:

I don't care what nationality people are so long as they're dancing! :D ;)

Don't know much about Pole dancing but I've seen a few Russians do that dance thing. Tried it myself but kept falling over!

[yourdj]

I don't care what nationality people are so long as they're dancing! :D ;)

Too right. as long as they are nice people. (Especially scottish people) Not too much diversity where i am doing the party. Generally more older people with nothing too do, so open market really. ideas required :confused:

[DJmissbehaving]

Are you doing it like a speed dating night??? Long row of tables women on one side and th men switch every 2minutes on to the next person......thats enough time to get a name and a phone number hahahaha

[yourdj]

no doubt it? depends if that kind of thing is needed. it will be as far from the working mans club type thing.