A question for those educated about zoning... (probably not that many)

[Tan 90]

I have a dream of opening up a place in my town where local bands can come and play. I need to know what type of zone you can build places like this in, and if there are any restrictions/requirements. If you can't answer my question, I understand, but if you do you have any information I'd greatly appreciate it.

[Nesterus]

call your local chamber of commerce and leave my precious off topic alone

[rasterbee]

Shut up, Nest.

Tan, you're going to build a place? Totally from scratch? It would must cheaper to buy a pre-existing structure. Since you didn't mention food or alcohol, it sounds like you just want live music and not a bar or restaurant. If I were you I'd go check out places that you could rent out for the night instead of building/buying your own place. Since someone else would own the place instead of you, there wouldn't be any worries about any zoning/health department/liquor license.

I have friends who would rent out a children's play area to put on small shows. It was that place that had an arcade and laser tag and jungle gym and they would haul in their own speakers and gear and pay for 4-5 hours worth of time, sell tickets in advance and at the door and never once had a problem with the law.

If you're only looking to do a one-time kind of thing, we used to find a local farmer who wasn't planting crops that year and pay him $100 for the entire weekend. Pull a trailer into the middle, rent a generator and buy a few kegs.

Eventually if you want to have a place where you can put on live music you're going to have to own a bar. But until then you're just a measly promoter and you have to start small. You can't just buy an old building and start throwing shows or build a shack and expect people to show up. You have to make money in order to pay the bands and in order to make money you gotta socialize and get tons of people to like you. It's not as easy as it sounds, nor is it as fun. You can't just put up fliers around town, you're going to be a salesman first.

[Tan 90]

Thanks for the advice, Raster.

I'm thinking more in the terms of buying a pre-existing structure. I'm not so sure about rent. You see, what's motivating me to want to do this is that there was a really good place nearby, but the landlord sold the building and now it's a sewing shop or something. So that's why I'm sort of iffy about renting.

[rasterbee]

I'm not talking about a monthly rent. I'm talking about renting a place for 1 night. If you can't make money from 1 show in 1 night then you're not going to make money renting or buying a place and putting on shows every weekend.

Have you done stuff like this before? If you have, you'll know it's just as likely that no one will show up as it is there will be a packed house. If you buy something you need to already have a following, a crowd of people who know you can get good music and you're going to have to do it regularly. Your reputation is just as important as the bands you hire.

Start small. Have a party in someone's backyard and take care of everything yourself. Get the band, make them happy, get the crowd, make sure they're enjoying themselves. Now imagine owing the bank thousands of dollars a month for a mortgage. You have to sell something to make a profit, which is why you only see live music in giant arenas or bars.

If you can put on a good small show, then consider renting a bar or some other kind of facility to put on a larger show. Zoning laws aren't your first concern.

[Tan 90]

Nope, I've never done anything like this. Once again, thanks.

[Deathslayr]

Why do all threads get contaminated by spam?