The best things in life are free?
Editor’s note: This is second in a series of posts analyzing
So yesterday I got into a debate with a well known Miami promoter about the city's attitude of entitlement, expecting to get everything for free when at a nightclub or lounge. It's true, a lot of people expect to get in for free and get free drinks or bottles all night as well. Obviously no business can survive under those conditions. But the question nightlife businesses should ask themselves is why is it that Miamians think this kind of treatment is the norm?
There are a lot of reasons why this new way of thinking has become acceptable. Club owners and promoters have put more emphasis on bottle service, beauty and exclusivity, moving away from what was once the cornerstone of nightlife: a talented DJ and the out-of-this-world club experience. So are club owners and promoters to blame? Not entirely, but the reason they find themselves with this problem is largely their own doing.
Don't go chopping my head off yet. Hear me out. When bottle service took over the United States, after it proved very successful in Europe, it completely killed a club's original focus, which was to book amazing acts. Instead clubs decided they wanted to sell a dream. In order to sell that dream they needed to find beautiful people to make that illusion happen. And there is some unofficial rule about beautiful people also being very poor people, so clubs started comping bottles as long as the beautiful people brought more beautiful people. Of course, this kind of mentality started out at these living room clubs very popular on South Beach back in the '90s and quickly trickled down to less exclusive venues.
Problem is when you start giving people free shit, they expect more free shit. I know it doesn't make sense, you are doing them the favor. However, at the same time the average drink price has gotten out of hand -- probably to make up for all the comped bottles. But someone needs to realize the price gouging of alcohol isn't helping, it's only perpetuating this mentality.
I can see the problem with paying $10 for a cranberry and vodka that cost only $1 to make. Prices are out of control. And yes, I understand there are employees, rent, utilities and talent that needs to be paid and venues need to make a profit on top of that, but $10 seems wholeheartedly unfair. Well drinks, in my opinion, shouldn't top the $6 mark, beers $5 and standard shots $8. The return is still incredibly high and I definitely think it would encourage people to actual pay for drinks instead of asking for drink tickets. Price gouging on South Beach is common of course because of the tourist factor, but that attitude has extended all the way to the mainland.
Clubs also need to focus on bringing back the DJ. Face it, Miami is full of clubs with mediocre DJs and it takes a great DJ to bring the crowds not bottle service. But even with the great pool of DJs I know this city has, it been brought to my attention that some venues won't let them take risks or play something that is actually original and exciting. It's time to stop letting the middle-aged club owner dictate what should be spun. And I can understand why DJs let themselves be told what to play; they've got bills to pay like everyone else. Still, at times DJs need to take a stand for their craft.
And don't think I'm going to let club-goers off the hook. They share some of the responsibility as well. They've gotten used to getting everything comped that they forget that it actually costs money to run these operations. When a club or promoter puts in the effort to book a quality act reward them by paying the cover charge, or if you are on the guestlist reward them by buying a few drinks at the bar. You aren't entitled to anything.
(http://www.miaminights.com/support-local-music-3940.phtml)
It's a business-you have to comp some folks..those that are 'working' the night. Everyone else is really just optional. But you're right. You can't expect people to drink at such high prices. How can anyone afford to really pay when the cost-of-living disparity is amongst the highest in the nation (source-NYTimes). Especially pertaining to downtown bars and clubs who's patronage is based on local support. Clubs need to give things away these days to pack people in-(to an extent). And now with the recession times will get even tougher.
Forget asking anyone to take a chance, musically or otherwise with a party. That's the least visible trend in this city.
Oh, more bad news: The DJ-in it's initial incarnation-is dead. We (and the DJ too) have given in to what the club formats feed us, which is so lucidly informed by the mp3blogosphere and internet critic sites. That how the crowd knows what's 'hot.' these days. The DJ used to be the trusted individual to teach the crowd about new sounds and styles...but those days are gone. Which is fine, b/c what makes any American city worthwhile is their live scene...
i.e Junc Ops: http:/www.juncops.com
But why rage against the machine? Unless you own the club, you don't call the shots. I say we all stop going out to the club and start throwing block parties instead...
WORD