Poppy Love Smoke

[tufsu1]

Its called supply and demand....if people aren't willing to pay the cover charge, then the place is empty....and stops charging it

[Deuce]

If there isn't a cover charge and then they add one because there's a special event, that's called gouging. While this form may not be illegal, it's way bad for business. I hope the owners of these places are reading this forum and paying heed.

[Captain Zissou]

No, it's called taking advantage of the fact that the inner core is boring and people don't want to drive to the beach.  Most downtown jax clubs wouldn't last a second in other cities.  The lack of alternatives is what keeps people digging through their pockets.

[Lucasjj]

I don't mind paying covers on a weekend when going out somewhere, but I just felt it was a bad business move to charge a cover on a night when many people could come through and check the place out who normally would not. I will say though that if they continue to put more bars in and around that strip I would go to the bars that do not charge cover. I would rather be able to hop bar to bar, which I would not do if I would have to pay a different cover at each one.

[braeburn]

At Mark's / Dive Bar the cover is usually for the cost of the DJ or special entertainment going on.

[cdb]

At Mark's / Dive Bar the cover is usually for the cost of the DJ or special entertainment going on.

If the bar doesn't make enough on its own by having the DJ or special entertainment, and they need to charge admission to cover these costs, then it's not really doing good business anyway. If you have a club, or club/bar, then you should have a DJ, but cover's over $5 for anywhere in Jax is unacceptable. And it's not supply and demand, it's just limited options, there is a difference.

[Omarvelous09]

At Mark's / Dive Bar the cover is usually for the cost of the DJ or special entertainment going on.

If the bar doesn't make enough on its own by having the DJ or special entertainment, and they need to charge admission to cover these costs, then it's not really doing good business anyway. If you have a club, or club/bar, then you should have a DJ, but covers over $5 for anywhere in Jax is unacceptable. And it's not supply and demand, it's just limited options, there is a difference.

Seriously? who complains about paying to go to a bar? Cover charges for DJ's/Bands are great...that way bartenders don't have to tip out dj's etc...
You're right..this is Jacksonville, and the club business isn't that great for anyone...but still remember it is a business.

[TPC]

I can see why people complain about cover charges. Why charge me a cover for an empty bar and an ipod DJ. Or, why charge a cover and have no liquor. I feel it's Jacksonville in general and the bar district is still going through growing pains.

Speaking of charging covers, some friends and I swung by the Sinclair to check it out. The girl at the door wanted us each to roll 2 dice to see how much we would pay (There was some acoustic act on stage). We didn't want to see a live act or possibly pay between $2 - $12 each just for some drinks. We ended up at Dive Bar, and had a blast, some people did the entire thriller dance when it came on and we ended up seeing the owner of the Sinclair at the Dive Bar.

[Captain Zissou]

^^ The absurd drink markups should pay for the entertainment.  A special DJ should cause more people to show up.  Those people by more $4 Amstel Bottles or $9 mixed drinks......And presto! the DJ is paid for.  A real legit band I can understand, but unless it's Paul Van Dyke, Tiesto, AM, or GirlTalk.. I say a DJ is no excuse for cover.

[tufsu1]

Folks, its simple...if you don't like cover charges, go somewhere that doesn't charge....like I do!

[Omarvelous09]

Folks, its simple...if you don't like cover charges, go somewhere that doesn't charge....like I do!

Exactly...

[ProjectMaximus]

And it's not supply and demand, it's just limited options, there is a difference.

Isn't that exactly what supply and demand is? In this case, supply is very limited.

Folks, its simple...if you don't like cover charges, go somewhere that doesn't charge....like I do!

agreed. not that lucasjj doesn't have the right to complain about it on here though...that's perfectly fine. But I agree with this view.

[Lucasjj]

I am not complaining about covers in general. I am just saying that I did not think it was good business sense to charge cover on a night when so many people were walking around the place. It was a deterrent to people just coming in to check the place out or have a quick drink.

At a place with good entertainment, like a DJ or band, I would rather pay for a cover up front instead of paying for it in every drink I buy.

[subro]

Poppy Love Smoke in downtown Jacksonville is expanding

Submitted by Heather Lovejoy on April 9, 2010 - 12:40pm

I just talked to Errol Mizell of Poppy Love Smoke by phone, who says expansion of the downtown Jacksonville lounge has begun. They're taking over an adjacent space, and the size will be nearly doubled â€" from a capacity of about 70 to 130 people.

Mizell said the venue, which is at 112 E. Adams St., gets cramped during bigger events, so more space was needed. The expansion will also allow the venue to bring in bigger live acts, he said. The club often hosts jazz, R&B and soul shows.
They're also putting in a new ventilation system, and plan to add outside tables.

He said construction is slated to be done by the Fourth of July, and a series of events is planned for that weekend. Ocean and Newnan streets will be closed off for a street party and concerts are being booked.

Some people have said they prefer the small, intimate feel of the lounge as it is now, Mizell said. But he said not to fret â€" the laid-back, lounge vibe isn't changing, nor is the intimate mood.

This is great news for Poppy Love Smoke, which opened about a year ago. Downtown will certainly benefit... Cheers to revitalization.

http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/403251/heather-lovejoy/2010-04-09/poppy-love-smoke-downtown-jacksonville-expanding

[downtownjag]

Glad to hear it, I love that place