Tips on starting a bike night
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 755
Likes: 57
From: St. Augustine, FL
Tips on starting a bike night
I have a friend here in town who owns a Hurricane Grill & Wings franchise. He's looking to increase business on Tuesdays and asked me and a friend if we would lead the way in starting a Tuesday bike night. The restaurant is plenty big to accommodate a decent sized crowd and while the parking lot is not huge, it should be large enough to hold a decent number of bikes. The only drawback is that one of the restrictions on his city permit are that he can't have amplified music outside.
Can a bike night be successful with no outside music? How would I go about starting one up and drawing a decent crowd?
Can a bike night be successful with no outside music? How would I go about starting one up and drawing a decent crowd?
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,468
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
You can certainly have music outside. It just can't be amplified, right? Nothing says you can't have acoustic guitar players, bass players, piano, etc., etc..
The number one requirement, if you want this to be successful, is communication. You MUST get the word out, through as many channels as possible. Local HOG chapter, local riding clubs, Facebook pages, email lists, posters at local businesses, etc.
Otherwise, the only riders that will be there are your buddies and you.
The number one requirement, if you want this to be successful, is communication. You MUST get the word out, through as many channels as possible. Local HOG chapter, local riding clubs, Facebook pages, email lists, posters at local businesses, etc.
Otherwise, the only riders that will be there are your buddies and you.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 205
Likes: 8
From: Waterloo, Iowa
A bar here in town has been having a Bike Night every Thursday night during the summer for several years. The street is blocked off and used for bike parking and they have a different live bands each week. The owner went to the City Council Meeting and gave his pitch. I think the band is done by 10 and the street is reopened shortly after that. The other sports bars in the area also benefit so everyone wins.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 755
Likes: 57
From: St. Augustine, FL
A bar here in town has been having a Bike Night every Thursday night during the summer for several years. The street is blocked off and used for bike parking and they have a different live bands each week. The owner went to the City Council Meeting and gave his pitch. I think the band is done by 10 and the street is reopened shortly after that. The other sports bars in the area also benefit so everyone wins.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 205
Likes: 8
From: Waterloo, Iowa
I know that the owner of the bar has to go to the City Council every spring and request a noise variance, permission to block street and also some type of change in his liquor licenses so that he can sell beer outside and in the area where the street is blocked off. If you want to contact him, let me know, I am sure that he can give you some tips and how he went about getting it set up. My daughter used to work there and she said that night was a huge boost with both food and drink sales!!!!!
Supporter
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,097
Likes: 48
From: eastern mi
Descent priced drinks and great food with good service will sell itself providing you have good location. Don't really see the need for loud music outside that just pisses off the surrounding businesses.JMO
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
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From: SW Ohio
Advertise that you're gonna have one or two cast members from Sons Of Anarchy; you'll get your crowd
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Great State of Canada
When he was applying for his zoning variance there was one crotchety old man that showed up at the hearing, protesting the license (even though it's amongst about ten other restaurants). He was worried about noise, so my buddy appeased him by agreeing to no amplified music. I don't know if he can go back to the city now.
Seriously though, low key may be best. You gotta know if there are any incidents or disruptions, even if it only involves one or two patch fashionistas, its gonna be blamed on the "bikes". Just like loony or criminal shootings are blamed on "the gun".
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Tonopah Az
Here in Phoenix we have more than one areas that have Bike Nights, one in particular is West Gate where the AZ Cardinals and the Hockey Team play, they close off the entire area for bike parking and have a Band and vendors. It is loud and there are hundreds of bikes that show up but my point for this response is that there are probably 50 restaurants and bars in the area and they ALL benefit from this event. Have your buddy go to all of the businesses around him and throw out the idea to them and maybe he can overcome the grouch and have something that will benefit everyone.
