In your opinion what were the best stretch of years to be a Mobile DJ? Or are we in them presently?

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Proformance said:
I think you're essentially selling a Bar Mitzvah look to the Sweet 16's and young club going wedding couples. There's people in my area who do the same thing. Their not Bar Mitzvah entertainer/DJs but, they deliver all the same accoutrements to a different clientelle. It's also gotten really crowded and noticeably routine. Everyone has a white facade, the same light up risers, truss totems and movers, up lights, and a monogram. It's like they all went to some DJ version of IKEA and walked out with the same goody bag. Sales literally come down to th e 40-something mom reliving her youth and which young DJ/emcee she is crushing on. :)
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I'm just wondering, and not that I'm offended by it, but I don't get why you're calling my services "bar mitzvah" style. All the top tier dj's in nj/nyc offer all the same services I do, wether its sweet 16's or weddings... and many of those Wedding companies are companies that exclusively doing weddings. I believe what we are trying to do is create a certain type of experience. Mitzvah style around here means, not necessarily the equipment, or the look, but moreso the interactiveness including dancers, mc's that engage a lot with the crowd, dance routines, lots of giveaways, and games.

While I may offer a lot of what others do, I separate myself I believe in the way that its presented. Often times, the key phrase I hear from clients that research me, is that my events just look so much more fun, exciting, energetic, etc and that that's what they want their event like. Many of us play the same songs at weddings... but we all create a different atmosphere. The equipment and add-ons just add to the atmosphere should the client desire it. Nowadays, in the social media age, people admittedly do not want to be seen without something if everyone else is doing it, and likewise want the latest and best to be different... if they can afford it of course. We're in the age of social media events, where we care more than ever about how it's presented to the guests and the public. If all they see online are mediocre standard weddings, and then they come across my videos and content and it catches their eye and looks awesome on instagram or facebook, it's going to appeal to that millennial bride.

I'm just not sure I'm following your thought.
 
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DJ Ricky B said:
Real Night Clubs don't really exist today :cheers:

...Also The number of open Night Clubs in operation today is probably less than 15% from when Night Clubs were at their height in popularity
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I can't speak for everywhere but I was talking about this with a friend of mine the other night back in the late 80's early 90's there were 35-40 bars here there might be 10 or 12 now but the liquor laws were very different. Taverns could only sell beer and could be open at 10 AM until Midnight. Bars could sell liquor or beer but couldn't open till 12 and close at 1AM.

Lounges could sell either but if they didn't sell food they couldn't open till 4PM and stay open till 2AM. If the did sell food they could open at 10AM. cabarets could stay open til 3:30 but couldn't open until 6PM...There was only one here back then. They also had to have live entertainment 7 days a week

Restaurants could sell liquor if they were licensed but only with food and only till midnight. No bar could sell liquor on Sunday

With all the silly laws it made for a lot of options and gave everyone a chance to make some money.

So it's more like 33% now compared to then around here
 
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Jeff Romard said:
I can't speak for everywhere but I was talking about this with a friend of mine the other night back in the late 80's early 90's there were 35-40 bars here there might be 10 or 12 now but the liquor laws were very different. Taverns could only sell beer and could be open at 10 AM until Midnight. Bars could sell liquor or beer but couldn't open till 12 and close at 1AM.

Lounges could sell either but if they didn't sell food they couldn't open till 4PM and stay open till 2AM. If the did sell food they could open at 10AM. cabarets could stay open til 3:30 but couldn't open until 6PM...There was only one here back then. They also had to have live entertainment 7 days a week

Restaurants could sell liquor if they were licensed but only with food and only till midnight. No bar could sell liquor on Sunday

With all the silly laws it made for a lot of options and gave everyone a chance to make some money.

So it's more like 33% now compared to then around here
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You also have to look at the patronage of those remaining establishments. How much volume do they do today? I bet back in the 80s most of those 35 to 40 bars were very busy, and some were off the wall packed with people. Today, many bars barely have patrons, but they still are in operation. Many bar owners are trying to sell their bars around here, but having a tough time finding buyers (probably because the prices are too high realistically in proportion to what the business can really generate in revenue for a new owner). One local bar we just did out 80s party fundraiser at has been for sale for 4 years. They finally think they have a buyer lined up who is legitimately going to buy the place. We aren't holding our breath, but excited if they do, and hope the new owners work with our podcast even more.

People don't go out to party like they use to at these places. Also, people generally drink less when out and about at bars due to all the drunk driving laws these days. Although there are still people who get $hit faced drunk, and don't care lol. (That group is certainly smaller than it was 10+ years ago though)
 
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DJ Ricky B said:
You also have to look at the patronage of those remaining establishments. How much volume do they do today? I bet back in the 80s most of those 35 to 40 bars were very busy, and some were off the wall packed with people. Today, many bars barely have patrons, but they still are in operation. Many bar owners are trying to sell their bars around here, but having a tough time finding buyers (probably because the prices are too high realistically in proportion to what the business can really generate in revenue for a new owner). One local bar we just did out 80s party fundraiser at has been for sale for 4 years. They finally think they have a buyer lined up who is legitimately going to buy the place. We aren't holding our breath, but excited if they do, and hope the new owners work with our podcast even more.

People don't go out to party like they use to at these places. Also, people generally drink less when out and about at bars due to all the drunk driving laws these days. Although there are still people who get $hit faced drunk, and don't care lol. (That group is certainly smaller than it was 10+ years ago though)
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Yeah you are right they are nowhere near as busy. Mainly Saturday nights at most of them it's hard to run a bar that way.

As an aside I almost bought a bar years back...It is a shady shady business from what I`ve seen
 
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DJ Ricky B said:
Many bar owners are trying to sell their bars around here, but having a tough time finding buyers (probably because the prices are too high realistically in proportion to what the business can really generate in revenue for a new owner).
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From what I understand, banks won't give loans for bars now days. Capitol has to be raised by other means. There might be exceptions but banks see too much risk involved.
 
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Jas said:
From what I understand, banks won't give loans for bars now days. Capitol has to be raised by other means. There might be exceptions but banks see too much risk involved.
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You still can if you have a "restaurant" rather than a bar but even that is dicey these days you would have to have over the top credit
 
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Most bars I have seen change hands lately are sold on land contract, usually work out well for the original owner $20,000 down rest on payment terms, if business fails owner get it back with any improvements that have been done and keeps all of the down payments and monthly’s that have been made
 
Jeff Romard said:
You still can if you have a "restaurant" rather than a bar but even that is dicey these days you would have to have over the top credit
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Many years ago, I heard that in order to have a liquor license in some parts of MD, 60% of their sales had to be alcohol. I think that makes you more of a 'bar' than a 'restaurant'.
 
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In my town, they have decided NOT to offer any new "bar" licenses, so all new places have to be restaurants, with the bar area no more than 40% of space. Not sure if someone can successfully sue it, but the only remaining bar is a grandfathered VFW.
 
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Jas said:
From what I understand, banks won't give loans for bars now days. Capitol has to be raised by other means. There might be exceptions but banks see too much risk involved.
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This is nothing new. Bars and restaurant investments have always been risky. Loans need to be personally guaranteed. As mentioned, most are sold on a land contract with the owner holding the note.

High cash business with historically very bad inventory control/poor management can suck the profit out pretty quickly. I've seen bars lose 30% of their revenue to Inventory shrinkage without realizing it.
 
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djtaso said:
I'm just wondering, and not that I'm offended by it, but I don't get why you're calling my services "bar mitzvah" style. All the top tier dj's in nj/nyc offer all the same services I do, wether its sweet 16's or weddings... and many of those Wedding companies are companies that exclusively doing weddings. I believe what we are trying to do is create a certain type of experience. Mitzvah style around here means, not necessarily the equipment, or the look, but moreso the interactiveness including dancers, mc's that engage a lot with the crowd, dance routines, lots of giveaways, and games.

While I may offer a lot of what others do, I separate myself I believe in the way that its presented. Often times, the key phrase I hear from clients that research me, is that my events just look so much more fun, exciting, energetic, etc and that that's what they want their event like. Many of us play the same songs at weddings... but we all create a different atmosphere. The equipment and add-ons just add to the atmosphere should the client desire it. Nowadays, in the social media age, people admittedly do not want to be seen without something if everyone else is doing it, and likewise want the latest and best to be different... if they can afford it of course. We're in the age of social media events, where we care more than ever about how it's presented to the guests and the public. If all they see online are mediocre standard weddings, and then they come across my videos and content and it catches their eye and looks awesome on instagram or facebook, it's going to appeal to that millennial bride.

I'm just not sure I'm following your thought.
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It's not that no one has been doing this. Today at the DJ level it is different because technology, retail, and personal computing has made it possible for nearly everyone to do this and to allow the customer a level of content creation they formerly had to pay handsomely to get.

As far as the "experience" this "look" that you frequently post is not new. It's nearly 30 years old and originated with Bar Mitzvah and Quinceanera entertainers. It made it's way into weddings as a result of promotion and selling of the ideas through DJ conventions, etc. The resulting retail fenzy of products that followed are what feeds the less theatrical or creative inclined operators looking for off-the-shelf stage sets and turn-key effects.

Up lighting has been in use since the 1970s and facades as long as there have been game shows, etc. LEDs and Moving heads/mirrors represent a change in technology but not entirely a change in the experience. It's a faster, easier, and cheaper way to achieve a given effect and therefore makes it accessible to many more people.
 
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ittigger said:
Many years ago, I heard that in order to have a liquor license in some parts of MD, 60% of their sales had to be alcohol. I think that makes you more of a 'bar' than a 'restaurant'.
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I believe here if you have more than 50% or your sales in liquor you are a bar licencee not a restaurant. Here it's a different level of licence
 
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Jeff Romard said:
I believe here if you have more than 50% or your sales in liquor you are a bar licencee not a restaurant. Here it's a different level of licence
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Most of the Counties here in Maryland require that the business sell AT LEAST 50% of their sales in FOOD in order to have a alcohol license. So basically, all places with alcohol licenses are generally restaurants with bars inside. Some places that are truly bars still have a kitchen. Those smaller bars that really do sell over 50% of their sales in alcohol basically cook their books, or not show A LOT of cash sales in order to bring their "official" alcohol sales down below 50% of total revenue.

The only places that this rule do not apply to are establishments with a "TAVERN LICENSE" ....Basically, that is reserved for a "night Club". ...Also, it's damn near impossible to get a Tavern License. Most counties won't even bother issueing one. Most places that had the tavern license over the past 20+ years have either been shut down, or closed down without a transfer of the license. Which is another reason why Night Clubs really don't exist any more here in Maryland.

Also, Alcohol is not allowed to be sold after 1:30 a.m. anywhere, and Bars MUST by law be closed by 2:00 a.m. with no open containers on the bar or table at that time in Maryland. ....meaning guests must be out the door, and doors locked by 2 am.

Washington, D.C. bars/night clubs can stay open until 4:00 a.m. I believe...It's either 3:00 am or 4:00 am.
 
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DJ Ricky B said:
Most of the Counties here in Maryland require that the business sell AT LEAST 50% of their sales in FOOD in order to have a alcohol license. So basically, all places with alcohol licenses are generally restaurants with bars inside. Some places that are truly bars still have a kitchen. Those smaller bars that really do sell over 50% of their sales in alcohol basically cook their books, or not show A LOT of cash sales in order to bring their "official" alcohol sales down below 50% of total revenue.

The only places that this rule do not apply to are establishments with a "TAVERN LICENSE" ....Basically, that is reserved for a "night Club". ...Also, it's damn near impossible to get a Tavern License. Most counties won't even bother issueing one. Most places that had the tavern license over the past 20+ years have either been shut down, or closed down without a transfer of the license. Which is another reason why Night Clubs really don't exist any more here in Maryland.

Also, Alcohol is not allowed to be sold after 1:30 a.m. anywhere, and Bars MUST by law be closed by 2:00 a.m. with no open containers on the bar or table at that time in Maryland. ....meaning guests must be out the door, and doors locked by 2 am.

Washington, D.C. bars/night clubs can stay open until 4:00 a.m. I believe...It's either 3:00 am or 4:00 am.
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I guess it just shows that liquor laws are pretty archaic everywhere...Here a Tavern permit meant you could only sell beer I don't think they even issue them anymore
 
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Jeff Romard said:
I guess it just shows that liquor laws are pretty archaic everywhere...Here a Tavern permit meant you could only sell beer I don't think they even issue them anymore
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In Ohio, it's illegal for any bar to not have food. But many bars don't have food. As long as they have a instant soup packet available on the premises, that works, so many bars do that. Really silly
 
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DJ Ricky B said:
Most of the Counties here in Maryland require that the business sell AT LEAST 50% of their sales in FOOD in order to have a alcohol license. So basically, all places with alcohol licenses are generally restaurants with bars inside. Some places that are truly bars still have a kitchen. Those smaller bars that really do sell over 50% of their sales in alcohol basically cook their books, or not show A LOT of cash sales in order to bring their "official" alcohol sales down below 50% of total revenue.
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Maybe that's how it is now - it wasn't that way in the mid-late 90's. Many night clubs barely sold any food.
 
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ittigger said:
Maybe that's how it is now - it wasn't that way in the mid-late 90's. Many night clubs barely sold any food.
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Night Clubs had a Tavern License. They were exempt from the 50% FOOD Sales requirement. I know that Montgomery, and Frederick Counties both have the 50% food sales requirement in order to be able to sell alcohol these days. Back when I worked at TJ Meadows in TJ's Underground Night Club, they had the license with the 50% food sales requirement in Frederick. They had a full restaurant upstairs, so they made the 50% food sales requirement pretty easily. Also, people would come in and eat dinner downstairs before the kitchen closed. I loved it when guests were coming in to eat dinner because that would up the overall sales for the night. If the overall sales for the night reached $800 I would get another $30. If sales reached over $1,000, I would get another $30 on top of that. Anything below $800 in sales, I would just make $120 for the night. The nights I walked with $180 I was a pretty happy camper. That was great money when I was 19 years old.
 
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