Jacksonville Night Life

[stephElf]

I'm sure someone will disagree with me .. but I'm just going to throw this out as food for thought.

I don't see how a place that is HIGH ROLLER and COSMOPOLITAN and a live local band mix - I just don't.
What you seem to be trying to achieve is more of a clean, lounge atmosphere with some square white leather couches where people come out with their $350 purses. And what we call that in NJ is a coke club. Because that is exactly what it is. Rich high rollers come there to schmooze, drink some ritzy cocktails and listen to whatever trendy music is hot at the time. Something more reminiscent of the techo/ drum n' bass days with little or no lyrics.

If you are truly looking to create a swanky "it" place to be for a mature, economically stable crowd you probably are not going to be serving food unless it's sushi or some other dainty, non-messy beautiful food.

Most 21 year-old females don't have the cash for the $12 martinis they serve at Bistro AIX and B.B.'s unless daddy is paying their bill or they are out with some 30 year old sugar daddy.

Live Local Music
High Roller
Late Night Food

That is just too much going on.  Pick one approach and stick to it.  A place that tries to be all things to all people just doesn't work in my opinion. Not enough focus.

I'm not opposed to a place that is VIP but just make sure everything you do says that.

A fine dining establishment doesn't put a sign out front that says "fine dining".
Again, not an attack - just food for thought from someone with a marketing & branding background.

Most places like that require if you are sitting, you order a bottle of something and it might be a $150 minimum for example.  Not sure something like that would fly in Jax, esp. downtown.  Maybe at the beach.
Seems like another Dive / Mark's / Pearl would be more viable.

[midnightblackrx]

I was thinking that Mark's is Higher Class. I must not be the demographic to have an opinion on this topic.

Good luck...

[toneloc007]

So far the consensus is that we need something more up to date.  More cosmopolitan/eclectic atmosphere.  Also variety has been a common concern.  There aren't any bars or clubs offering variety.  In my opinion thats why they phase out.  Another one that has really impressed me is that there are quite a few that want a place where it offers intimacy with a classic style.  I've gotten a tremendous amount of feedback which is great.  Alot of what we are contemplating on bringing to the table is right down the alley of all what people want to see in a local venue.

[rjp2008]

Upscale restaurants that can double as a dance area/refreshment place would be great. Places that are "just nightclubs" to me fizzle out too quickly and/or attract a more seedy crowd.

A "Bongos" like that in Miami Airlines Arena would be fantastic. Latin and mixed music draws a crowd unlike any other and is sure to create a consistent fun atmosphere.

Check the Library Markets thing on Bay - they're looking for ideas in that area.

[toneloc007]

I'm sure someone will disagree with me .. but I'm just going to throw this out as food for thought.

I don't see how a place that is HIGH ROLLER and COSMOPOLITAN and a live local band mix - I just don't.
What you seem to be trying to achieve is more of a clean, lounge atmosphere with some square white leather couches where people come out with their $350 purses. And what we call that in NJ is a coke club. Because that is exactly what it is. Rich high rollers come there to schmooze, drink some ritzy cocktails and listen to whatever trendy music is hot at the time. Something more reminiscent of the techo/ drum n' bass days with little or no lyrics.

If you are truly looking to create a swanky "it" place to be for a mature, economically stable crowd you probably are not going to be serving food unless it's sushi or some other dainty, non-messy beautiful food.

Most 21 year-old females don't have the cash for the $12 martinis they serve at Bistro AIX and B.B.'s unless daddy is paying their bill or they are out with some 30 year old sugar daddy.

Live Local Music
High Roller
Late Night Food

That is just too much going on.  Pick one approach and stick to it.  A place that tries to be all things to all people just doesn't work in my opinion. Not enough focus.

I'm not opposed to a place that is VIP but just make sure everything you do says that.

A fine dining establishment doesn't put a sign out front that says "fine dining".
Again, not an attack - just food for thought from someone with a marketing & branding background.

Most places like that require if you are sitting, you order a bottle of something and it might be a $150 minimum for example.  Not sure something like that would fly in Jax, esp. downtown.  Maybe at the beach.
Seems like another Dive / Mark's / Pearl would be more viable.

I appreciate your input and you are absolutely correct.  You cannot have all that in one club.  Imagine though, if you could offer the option of enjoying your night club atmosphere OR being able to go into a private lounge that offers the feel of privacy plus the enjoyment of live music and not affected at all by surrounding activities.   The target audience is basically your mature professional crowd.  But there is money here in Jax, don't underestimate the "money" here.   And in reference to food, there is alot more "drunk" food out there than just hotdogs that is very affordable.  We're not looking to get into the fine dining area, thats another thing in itself.  But what's the first thing people think of as soon as they leave the club? FOOD!  

I appreciate the input....PLEASE KEEP 'EM COMING, IT JUST GIVES ME MORE INFORMATION TO GO ON...THANK YOU!!

[Jason]

Well, since Toney Sleiman doesn't seem to be doing anything with the defunct Club Paris there may be a great opportunity to turn that space into something even better.  The decor, location, and views are top notch.

[BridgeTroll]

Club Paris is now Mavericks and seems to be doing fine.  It is a country/honkytonk which limits its clientele to only 3/4 of Jax...

[Jason]

Jeeze.  I didn't even know it opened.  I feel dumb now..

[BridgeTroll]

Not exactly my kind of place but I have been in there and everyone looked like they were having fun...

[toneloc007]

Not exactly my kind of place but I have been in there and everyone looked like they were having fun...

I've been there too and its not bad.  It does have a "FUN" atmosphere but still not at the level that I think needs to be downtown.

[Traveller]

Rich high rollers come there to schmooze, drink some ritzy cocktails and listen to whatever trendy music is hot at the time.

Reminds me of a couple of places in DC just south of Dupont Circle.  The first is the 18th Street Lounge (http://www.18thstreetlounge.com/).  During happy hour, the place would attract more of a yuppie professional crowd, while after 9 or 10 the crowd turned decidedly trendy.  The building is an old rowhouse, so the venue has multiple floors.  One floor might have a DJ playing drum n' bass, while another would have a live jazz band.  No food, though.  At the time, no reservations or minimums were required to sit down, but based on the website, that appears to have changed.

The other was 1223, spelled out in Roman numerals (http://www.1223dc.com/).  This place did serve food, but like stephElf mentions, I believe it was primarily sushi.  I never spent much time there, so I'm less familiar with this place.

If I recall, the cover to get in either of these places was $20 back in 1999.  I have no idea what it is now, or whether Jacksonville residents would be willing to pay anything close to that.  DC has a lot of wealthy lawyers, lobbyists, and diplomats' kids.

[Coolyfett]

Yeah, it'll be in the heart of downtown...can't divulge the area for no compete, but believe me the place we're looking at is PRIME.

Bay Street!! Bay Street!! Bay Street!! Bay Street!!!

Don't be a Turtle Complete the circle!!

[Coolyfett]

Club Paris is now Mavericks and seems to be doing fine.  It is a country/honkytonk which limits its clientele to only 3/4 of Jax...

lol I knew that joke was coming!

[JOHANNA747]

I woul like to see a club that is just that a club with people who are similar or like me frequenting.  they would sign up online and give their credentials and be accepted by points and their persoanl interests in keeping the club alive and functional.  I would like to see this CLUB effect be not accepting of anyone, but mainly professionals-nurses, doctors, the gov't, teachers and even students.  These persons should have the necessities to keep the club running smoothly and right.  Dreaming and Creating. deb of jacksonville

[toneloc007]

I woul like to see a club that is just that a club with people who are similar or like me frequenting.  they would sign up online and give their credentials and be accepted by points and their persoanl interests in keeping the club alive and functional.  I would like to see this CLUB effect be not accepting of anyone, but mainly professionals-nurses, doctors, the gov't, teachers and even students.  These persons should have the necessities to keep the club running smoothly and right.  Dreaming and Creating. deb of jacksonville

I agree with you.  Our concept very much follows something similar to your idea.  Thanks!