The Decline of Clubbing?

I think evolution, even going “fancy”, is not a bad thing. If it brings a venue success, then more power to them.

My point is if clubs are on the decline, and the million-dollar setup and Studio 54 ideology isn’t bringing in business, then it’s time to change…and let those who won’t evolve again go out of business.

In Chicago, I’ll see places more or less make tiny interior changes and a name change, then “reopen”. Basically they rely on the “new club vibe” to pack the place, then “shut down” the moment they see they’re not packing as well as they used to.

In my book, if the glam bottle service fancy thing isn’t making you money, then why keep doing it?

I also notice many new clubs now are investing in big LED shows. I actually think they’re trying to build the festival vibe in the club.

Michael Lawrence, post: 37565, member: 856 wrote: lmaoo water is pretty key 😉 ahahahhh. To be honest I havent been to comfort zone yet lol ….alot of my friends go there for after after hours. I heard is closes like at 12pm? lol …its def on my list to check out though

Yeah man it’s the best there is when it comes to house and techno. Fridays is midnight to 9am. Sundays is 3am-noon and 8pm-4am. Except next week it’s opened a straight 25 hours. Crazy place.

Michael Lawrence, post: 37718, member: 856 wrote: I’ll have to check it out sometime after a night out…one of the few places that I know of that would still be open.

It’s basically the kind of club we’re all talking about in this topic. Dark, simple, great sound, amazing tunes. Go check it out on a Friday/ Sat morning. It starts getting busy around 2am, stays busy till around 7ish. You won’t be disappointed.

D-Jam, post: 37559, member: 3 wrote: I can’t comment on the UK, but here in Chicago, this is what I see that adds to the decline:

1) Too many spaces that are all the same. Right now, if you want to hear mainstream music, get bottle service, and be around the typical melange of fake people and office folk out on the weekend, you have way too much choice. If you want a relaxed dress code, better music, and lower costs…then you’ll have an issue.

Every new space is cookie cutter. They hire some interior designer to make it all fancy, fill the staff with the club chicks that used to be all over town on the weekends, charge too much money for entry and drinks, and especially destroy the dance floor with booths. Not to mention the lack of diversity in music.

I’ll even add now how many non-club spots are adopting club thinking. My friend works at a Tilted Kilt, but on weekends they put on a DJ, light show, and try to get dancing happening. Um…it’s a breastaurant full of male customers. Hello? Dive bars and college bars are now putting in booths and offering bottle service. Everyone has gogo dancers. Where’s the diversity?

2) The Economy. People are unemployed, strapped for cash, etc. $20-$25 entry for unknown local DJs and $10 a drink is ridiculous.

3) Gender discrimination and racism. If you’re a slender pretty Caucasian girl, then the world is open to you. Doors open, covers are bypassed, and people hand you free drinks. It’s become so bad now that hot girls in packs now expect the free royalty treatment. That or they’re now all working for clubs.

On top of that, if you’re fat or thicker, then expect to wait outside. If you’re a man and not showing you have loads of money to spend, expect to wait outside. If you’re a minority…then expect some crap like a longer wait or other politics.

4) Festivals offer more. We’ve talked about it here on the forum. Many have chosen that $50-$100 ticket for a massive lineup of big names over the crap the clubs offer.

5) Plenty of booths, no dance floor.

6) The music is getting old. The Guetta/Harris sound is getting tired, but DJs are still stuck pumping crap because suits believe it makes money.

In all honesty, the only way clubs can fix all this is to simply abandon the Miami/Las Vegas bottle service glam thing. It’s tired and done. In the past we used to pay $10-$20 to get into a spot and dance for hours to good DJs playing good music. The clubs were not fashionable, but dark and dank…with a killer sound and light system. The new generation is sick of Jersey Shore wannabes all over and clubs acting like you’re worthless if you aren’t a trust fund baby or an aspiring model.

Let them die. It’s how new innovations are born. Let the era of bottle service glam corporate nightclubs die. Bring back the rave culture that ruled the scene.

^^^^NAILED IT^^^^^

It will turn around when Hollwood comes out with a smash hit like Sat Night Feaver or like Officer & Gentalman did for country (more over Gillies)

DJ Stone Crazy, post: 37973, member: 79 wrote: Last but not least, I told myself that if I ever own a club, I am not going to have VIP. What that does is cause class elitism among the patrons in your club. People came to have a good time. They didn’t come there to be reminded of their social status in life.

It can work. You just have to make it all about the music, have big headliners, and make your money at the door.

Most of the reason why everyone jumped into booths/bottles is because of the ROI. I mean, if Vegas clubs are willing to pull big headliners to please the bottle/booth folks…then they must be making a lot off it. I heard even some clubs make more off the few booths than he total of the floor who go up to buy drinks at the bar.