What is better? To open a nightclub, restaurant, lounge, or bar?

Question

It seems opening a bar is the least riskiest of all, but opening a nightclub is the "sexiest"; however most of my experiece is from restaurants.

What do you think? If you could open either in a city like Toronto, what would you open?

Answer 1

If you have experience in restaurants then that would be your strongest area and plus it would appeal to a larger market of people.

Answer 2

The social scene is tricky. With popularity fading quicker than the seasons or the next wave of tourists. I'm no expert, but I've seen it all - I'm 38 and an avid club-goer, Happy Hour patron who occasionally likes a good meal at a good restaurant - and I live in Miami.

Go with what you know and don't be afraid to offer what everybody is offering, just be that much better than them. In Miami, the one's that have a long shelf-life are those who've managed to incorporate a bar atmosphere adjacent to the dining room, something where the drinkers won't interfere with the diners. As they wait for their table (which is a good sign since your full), they can have a drink. The bar can also serve as the place to be for a drink and don't be offended if it's the meeting point before they jaunt off to a club, remember, they chose your bar to meet at.

About 1/2 hour before the kitchen closes, increase the lively atmosphere (no need for a DJ or live band, just pump up the volume), it'll keep the crowd in the mood and make them want to stay. And because the kitchen closed, that doesn't mean the bar has to. If you're lucky, tables nearest the bar will clear first, you can move them and you've got extra space. Remember, the occasional drunk likes to dance (you may end up with your 3-in-1). And nowadays, with cell phones, a 10:30/11:00 call to/from friends on where to go is priceless - "we're here at so & so's, it's great and they'll be open for a while, come over."

If you can create this atmosphere, your options are open although which way to go will be tricky (know the location and crowd). A one or two person jazz team may do the trick as opposed to turning up the music.

In Miami, the ones that have longevity are those who cater to this and mix up the music on different nights/months (ask, your customers, they will appreciate it). Somehow, these places go under the radar but always have a dinner crowd, a drinking crowd (specifically Happy Hour and then after 10:30) and the occasional late night (2-3am) crowd.

As long as the food isn't 'bad' (it doesn't have to be great, just not bad!) and the service is at worst courteous, your best advertisement will be your customers. Anyone can get a good meal anywhere! But finding a good atmosphere to do your drinking, there's a challenge! Good luck and let me know when you open, I'll travel for it!

Answer 3

Perhaps you can change it and remodel once you gain some experience and money ? Mean time, take some classes on the nightclub type bar if u can find one, or read some books about nightclubs to gain insight.

Answer 4

I couldn't open any of these - I already drink to much. Open
a restaurant because of your experience or open a bar for a
new challenge. Good Luck!!

Answer 5

Bar is easiest. A hot nightclub would be very profitable. The restaurant business can be brutally competitive.

I'd go with a campus-area restaurant. Pretty steady market and students tend to be easy please.

Answer 6

i say nightclub with a huge bar you would get ALOT ov people cuz people want to have fun and dance and have an achoholic beverage at the same time


good luck=]]

Answer 7

Night club...they take less work and more people are able to be in a night club.

Personally though I would open a restaraunt...I'm just not into the night club scene.

Answer 8

Why not a friendly restaurant WITH a bar?

Answer 9

I'd say a upper class, sports bar...then after like 11...you could make it like a bar, bar!

Answer 10

i would open a restaurant cause people love going out to eat especially over size people (no offense).