I am planning on opening a Sports Lounge?!
I am planning on opening a Sports Lounge?
I AM PLANNING ON OPENING A SPORTS LOUNGE FOR TEENAGERS. THIS MEANS NO (<-KEY WORD) ALCOHOLIC DRINKS OF ANY KIND WILL BE SERVED AT THIS FACILITY. I;M PLANNING ON SERVING FOOD, BUT I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE A COMPLEX MENU. I DON'T WANT THIS "LOUNGE" MISINTERPRETED AS A "CLUB" THIS IS JUST A HANGOUT WHERE TEENAGERS AND THOSE OF AGE CAN COME AFTER SCHOOL AND RELAX, LISTEN TO MUSIC AT MEET FRIENDS. I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A BAR IN THIS LOUNGE TO GIVE TEENAGERS THE "GROWN-UP" EXPERIENCE. HOWEVER, AS PREVIOUSLY INDICATED, THE CAN ORDER DRINKS BUT NON ALCOHOLIC. THE CAN ORDER MIXED DRINKS SUCH AS FRUIT PUNCH MIXED WITH SPRITE, ETC. THE WILL BE SERVED IN A SHOT GLASS TO ONCE AGAIN GIVE THEM THAT "GROWN UP" EXPERIENCE. I STATED THE ABOVE TO STATE MY QUESTION: IS THERE ANY BUSINESSES LIKE THE ONE I JUST MENTIONED THAT I CAN CONTACT (VIA INTERNET). DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEAS OF WHAT I CAN INCORPORATE TO MAKE THIS BUSINESS A SUCCESS AND MORE APPEALING THE PUBLIC? ANY AND ALL SUGGESTIONS ARE WELCOME!
Answers:
I have seen this type pf place work and I have seen this type of place tank. If you work too hard at imitating a 'real' bar, the kids will just remember that they're missing out on something. Forget the shot glasses. Serve soft drinks, teenager food, candy, and stuff like that. If you serve mixed drinks, keep it exotic and keep it rotating (a couple of new mixes every week or so and bring back favorites when your regulars ask for them.) The mixed drinks that will sell well are the ones your young customers can't make at home. Be sure to keep your prices extremely reasonable as most of these kids don't work yet. They have an allowance that never goes far enough. Yes, some teens do have jobs; the ones who do won't be hanging out at your place, however -- not during any hours they could be working, that is. Have some options available for the kids without a lot of money (microwave popcorn, for instance, or mac-and-cheese packets) as well as for those who do.
Decide whether you want to have a place that caters to adults yet is alcohol-free and welcomes teens, or one that welcomes adults but caters to teens. There are, by the way, adults who would love to have such a place (a non-alcoholic pub-type place) available. If you cater to them, at least in the evenings, they could help your place survive. They do have jobs and can afford mixed drinks and more than a slice of pizza. Perhaps in the afternoon, the menu might include things like burgers, fries, pizza, macaroni-and-cheese, and things like that. In the evening, lose the mac-and-cheese (unless it's the homemade delicious variety) and maybe the pizza and add ribs or steaks or pasta dishes to your menu for the grown-up crowd that doesn't like hanging out with drunks.
If your place attracts young adults in the evenings, oddly enough, it will attract more teens. If you get too much of a kid-friendly reputation, the older teens will feel your place isn't grown-up enough for them, regardless of what you serve the drinks in. 17-year-olds don't like hanging out where 13-year-olds congregate. They do, however, like hanging out where the 22-year-olds meet.
While your idea is inspired and well-meaning, I just don't see it being very successful. I was a teenager once, so I can tell you this with confidence. They can drink punch from a shotglass at home for cheaper. Teenagers these days have better things to do than pretending to be a grown-up, and they would have no problem finding alcohol if they really wanted to.
I think that is a good idea and if I had money I would do the same thing. I have been to english pubs where they have music, card tables where people play dominoes or cards, a pool table, and maybe an amusement game. You can have bowls of pretzels, popcorn, peanuts. If you want to serve food make simple stuff like hot dogs, chili dogs, pizza rolls. chicken fries, mozzarella sticks, cheese dip in bowls with nacho chips. Sometimes if you have businesses sponsor the hang out, some pizza places will donate pizzas if you hand out their business cards- you know advertise for them. They also have non alcoholic grape juice. I wouldn't worry so much about giving the teenagers the grown up feeling. I think just having a place to hang out will be fun. I would put mirrors on one wall, maybe some blue lights and posters, and hanging lights. good luck.
I think you have a great idea for the hangout. The problem I think you will run into is the shots and non alcholic drinks inspired by alcholic drinks. If I was young again that is a place that would of been fun when I was growing up. I do drink and go to bars but I think you may have a uphill battle with people saying that you are trying to promote more alcohol use when they are of age to drink