Are you looking for different types of nightclubs you can start? If YES, here are 8 different types of nightclubs to start.
Almost in every part of the world, the term “nightclub” explains an urban entertainment venue, normally featuring music, and in most cases a dance floor, food, and drinks. With nineteenth-century roots in the European cabaret, it is noted that the nightclub evolved in the United States in the early twentieth century coupled with the popular music forms of ragtime, jazz, social dance, and an urban nightlife well focused on heterosexual dating.
With time and as competition grew, nightclubs started to incorporate features of turn-of-the-century restaurants (particularly the “lobster palace”), cafes, dance halls, cabarets, and vaudeville theatres. Gradually, the term “club” became associated with American cafés during prohibition in the 1920s and the development of the so-called private clubs, which more or less deflected scrutiny by liquor law enforcers.
Notably, the bar and nightclub industry in the United States is a very profitable part of the larger food and drinks industry. Bars, also known as pubs or taverns, are businesses that primarily serve beer and other alcohol, sometimes with a light food menu.
Nightclubs also contain a dance floor with a stage for DJs or live music. Revenue of both bars and nightclubs comes mainly from the sale of alcoholic beverages.
According to reports, there are over 60,138 bar & nightclub businesses in the US, a decline of -1.3% from 2020. Note that the industry in the US has low market share concentration and there are no companies with over 5% market share.
It is also labor intensive which simply entails that businesses tend to be more dependent on labor than capital. The highest costs for business in The Bars & Nightclubs industry are wages (29.4%), purchases (42.4%), rent, and utilities (5.6%).
It is also imperative to note that the industry was heavily affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, with social distancing measures meaning that nightclubs had to temporarily close shop. In the same way, restaurants were forced to close indoor dining facilities but were still allowed to provide delivery services and takeaway food.
According to reports, the crisis also affected the market size of bars and nightclubs in the U.S. which declined by over eight billion U.S. dollars in 2020.
Different Types of Nightclubs in the United States
Nightclub, in its classic definition, brings up an image of a posh ballroom with an orchestra, or maybe a torch singer, and wealthy clientele in tuxedos and evening gowns. Although the assertion might be true, there are different types of nightclubs in the United States, and they include;
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Dance Clubs
This is more or less the most popular style of a nightclub: a venue for men and women to come together, drink, and dance to a collection of music that includes hip-hop, R&B, techno, and rock mash-ups (in which classic rock songs are combined with modern grooves).
Have it in mind that these clubs can be quite expensive, and most times drinks cost more than they would at an ordinary bar, and depending on the club’s popularity and the night of the week, there may be other extra charges. A good number of the fancy ones also have coat checks and restroom attendants who work for tips.
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Wine Clubs
A wine club is simply a club that specializes in wine sales rather than beer or liquor. According to reports, the wine club sector has been relatively stable in recent years, and the number of wine bars and nightclubs in the United States has changed little in the last decade.
This nightclub sector is made up of lounges and bars that mainly focus on selling wine for immediate on-premise consumption. These industry operators may also provide limited food services. However, over the next five years, this sector of the industry is expected to return to steady growth.
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Sports-Themed Nightclubs
In the United States, there are nightclubs that combine drinking and music with other recreational activities such as bowling, billiards, and arcade or video games. Jillian’s and Dave & Buster’s are well renowned in this market, seeing to the needs of adults who want a drink as well as a diversion.
In the U.S. there are many well-known sports bar chains, but when considering the leading sports bar chains by sales, Buffalo Wild Wings was the leader by far in 2019 with over three billion U.S. dollars in sales.
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Karaoke Clubs
These sorts of clubs are becoming a famous form of entertainment in which a singer with the help of a karaoke machine performs pre-recorded music through the use of a microphone. In the United States, the karaoke industry is growing substantially.
The popular musical lyrics are shown on a video screen with images and recognizable symbols that help the singer during the performance.
According to recent data, the karaoke market demand is becoming very popular, without any differentiation of social status, age, and gender. A good number of people use karaoke as a pastime and for corporate party entertainment which is boosting the growth of the global karaoke market with an expected CAGR of 2.52% to reach USD 6333.95 Million by 2024.
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Comedy Clubs
There are two primary types of comedy clubs: stand-up clubs and sketch-comedy clubs. However, both are commonly located in major cities but rarely elsewhere. Stand-up clubs feature a series of comedians performing short sets, then a headliner who takes the stage for a slightly longer time.
On the other hand, sketch comedy clubs such as The Second City, play host to troupes of actors who put on short plays and improvisational sketches, during which audience members shout out suggestions that greatly influence the content of the performance.
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Duelling Piano Clubs
Duelling piano clubs are opening all around the United States in huge numbers. They more or less pit one resident pianist against another, each playing to curry the favor (and tips) of the crowd. Have it in mind that these clubs are popular because audiences are encouraged to sing along, en masse, with an evening’s worth of popular music.
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Adult Clubs
Without a doubt, adult or strip clubs can be very profitable; their stock in trade is the desire of men and women to watch dancers perform in varying degrees of undress. These clubs typically charge cover (at least to men) and drink prices are known to run high.
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Live Music Clubs
There are also nightclubs known to base their business on live music; they contain a bar, a floor, and a stage with a professional sound system. Some of the books are exclusively local talent, and some books are primarily national acts (such as the House of Blues chain), while a good number of them book a thorough mixture.
Additionally, many live music clubs host a variety of genres, while others limit themselves to certain styles of music. The Mint in Los Angeles, for instance, is mainly a low-key jazz club.
Conclusion
Starting and running your own nightclub requires business intelligence, attention to detail, and long work hours. The strict regulations governing this industry can be a hindrance, however, the key to success is to understand this business inside out, have a clear vision and plan things ahead.
A nightclub business also required extensive planning. You can’t simply jump into this industry, invest a small fortune and expect things to become smooth. Define your target market, and tailor your business plan accordingly.