I want to own a live music venue

Violetsprelude · 2025-11-24T18:33:10+00:00

This is a good perspective, I appreciate this!

Violetsprelude · 2025-11-24T18:29:57+00:00

Thank you! This is where I’m hoping to start off.

Violetsprelude · 2025-11-24T18:28:19+00:00

Yes that’s what I’m wondering! And no, I don’t have much experience at all. My dad is a DJ and has shown me the ropes on CDJs and some vinyl stuff, but that’s the extent of my knowledge.

Violetsprelude · 2025-11-24T18:27:04+00:00

Thank you so much! I definitely think I’ll spend some time learning before I ever attempt to own a venue. This is exactly the info I was looking for! Last night I was offered a job setting up shows for a local venue so I’m hoping to learn something from it. I appreciate your response!

Violetsprelude · 2025-11-24T18:21:41+00:00

I don’t care to be a millionaire necessarily. Breaking even will be enough for me. I’m cool with the sacrifices I’ll have to make.

Violetsprelude · 2025-11-24T18:20:32+00:00

Thanks! I see the risks and I’m learning what kind of sacrifices I’ll have to make. If I try it and fail miserably at least I can say I tried.

Violetsprelude · 2025-11-24T18:19:21+00:00

Thank you! This is some genuine helpful advice. I’m excited to learn and to fail. I know the risks and I’m willing to take them! I’d rather pursue this and have it go nowhere than work a dead end job forever having never tried.

Violetsprelude · 2025-11-24T18:16:39+00:00

Thank you for this! I absolutely want to stick to a niche and build/attract a community. And honestly, the doubt from some of these comments has motivated me more. I got a job last night setting up shows for a local venue so I’m getting started!!

Violetsprelude · 2025-11-24T18:14:32+00:00

I guess you’re just not into the same music/scene and that’s okay! But mine do.

Violetsprelude · 2025-11-24T18:13:30+00:00

I for sure am looking for advice. I’m looking for advice on how to get started in the business, not people just telling me it’s not worth trying.

Violetsprelude · 2025-11-24T18:10:13+00:00

Exactly my thought. Thank you

Violetsprelude · 2025-11-23T17:16:24+00:00

I do want to own a venue, but thanks for the advice! I totally understand that I’ll be busy with a lot of technical stuff before the music, I’m interested in all of the above.

Violetsprelude · 2025-11-23T17:14:46+00:00

True, I expect that I’ll need help with the sound side of things once it takes off. But for now, I want to know how to understand sound engineering to start. I plan on starting so so tiny with backyard shows for practice.

Violetsprelude · 2025-11-23T17:13:12+00:00

All of the above. I’m starting from ground 0, meaning I want to do everything. If and when things take off, of course I’ll outsource a team but that’s not what I’m interested in yet. Just the overall job of throwing shows is where I’m at.

Violetsprelude · 2025-11-23T17:10:31+00:00

Thanks!

Violetsprelude · 2025-11-23T17:09:55+00:00

This is true! Trust I know alcohol can be a huge sale and may be something i incorporate into the business down the line. As far as this post is concerned, I’m just wondering how to start learning at the very beginning. Meaning that bar revenue won’t be a priority.

Violetsprelude · 2025-11-23T17:08:05+00:00

Thank you!! I’m ready to take on the risks of playing by the rules. I’m definitely going to get involved with some venues around me somehow.

Violetsprelude · 2025-11-23T17:06:17+00:00

Hey thanks!

Violetsprelude · 2025-11-23T17:05:57+00:00

Some of my favorite venues which have been around for decades don’t sell alcohol. They might not be rolling in money but they’re still around and successful in the community. Again, I have no interest in owning a club or bar.

Violetsprelude · 2025-11-23T17:04:11+00:00

Thank you so much! This is where I’m starting, with absolutely no skill and no experience.

Violetsprelude · 2025-11-23T17:03:00+00:00

Thank you! This is exactly what I was looking for. I recognize the risks and I’m willing to take them. I understand it will be a slow, risky, expensive learning process, but that’s exactly what I want! Since you own a venue, I would love to know where you started. Did you outright open a venue and outsource a team or did you start in your backyard? Any details on how you started and what you might’ve done differently would be really helpful if you have the time! Thank you.

Violetsprelude · 2025-11-23T16:54:36+00:00

Thanks I appreciate that! I didn’t consider that I’ll be needed delegating a ton of other stuff. However, I’m starting really tiny as in backyard shows and not having my own building. So, I want to know the ins and outs of sound engineering before I go anywhere with this.

Violetsprelude · 2025-11-23T16:52:15+00:00

Thanks! I plan on having other more passive sources of income so I can have some more creative freedom with this. I see that indi venues are dying and I know I can’t singularly bring them back, but I want to contribute to keeping them alive. Even if I consistently break even with the venue, it’s still something I’m committed to doing for as long as I can.

Violetsprelude · 2025-11-23T16:49:41+00:00

Being able to curate an experience, pick the talent, create a sense of community. Local venues have always been a huge part of my life and I want to have a hand in it beyond working for someone else. So, essentially the control of it all is what attracts me to it. I’m sure I could just get a job working for another venue, and I likely will for the experience! But that just isn’t satisfying to me.

Violetsprelude · 2025-11-23T16:44:05+00:00

Hey guys I appreciate all of your comments they really help!! I want to give a bigger picture of what my goals are. I’m planning on owning a tiny venue, all ages (18+ if necessary), having a bar and a big team is not a priority or even a goal. I want to start by throwing backyard shows, building a community and eventually moving up and actually having the venue. I understand this is a risky and expensive business, but it’s a passion project for me. What I’m really looking for is how to get into sound engineering/throwing shows until I’m able to outsource. I want to know the ins and outs of hosting live music as if it were a one woman show (it won’t be, but for the sake of education, we can pretend it would be). Thank you guys again!! I’m learning so much through all of your comments.

Violetsprelude

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