Ask the Lounge......

[Capn Sunshine]

OK, here's the story: My restaurant has a LOT of geezers in it, and the hip young people seem to prefer other locales. My staff, young hipsters themselves, says the music we play scares away people under 30. It's jazz. NOT "SOFT JAZZ" but old school, no fusion, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Chet Baker, Ramsey Lewis, Dave Brubeck, JAZZ.

They say that when they hear music like this, they automatically think "expensive" and go elsewhere. I'm actually on the lower end pricewise- I have several entrees in the 8.50-950 range. I have burgers and sandwiches. Sure I have nice stuff in the 20.00 and up range but the menu has a price point for everyone.

Loungers, what's your take? Does Jazz equal expensive to you?

[Tuesday Afternoon]

1. are you wanting to change your clientele or just up revenue by enticing

new business?

[Capn Sunshine]

9. Yes

We want ALL the business in town, not just the +60 set

[Tuesday Afternoon]

25. ok

Good Luck :)

[SeattleGirl]

2. Not to me. Old school jazz equals great music.

Can you post a menu in the window (if you haven't already done that)? I love it when restaurants do that. I can check out the food and the prices before I even go in.

[enigmatic]

3. I'm in the business

And that's what we play on our patio, too. We're always packed and on the price scale we're in the 10-20 dollar range for an entree, so it's not much higher.

What does the staff suggest you play? Does the clientele you have now like the music? I say if business is good, don't fix what isn't broke, music-wise.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

7. yes...That is what I was trying to say...If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

I really don't understand the issue...is the staff complaining?

[Brigid]

4. Old School Jazz?

It would draw me like a magnet. :)

[BurtWorm]

5. What kind of music do they say wouldn't scare the poor young hipsters away?

I just suspect young people haven't been exposed to jazz and think it's old people's music. Maybe you should mix young hipster's music in--artfully of course.

[Capn Sunshine]

10. That could be the answer

They like the old-school rock I play on Friday nights; I could mix a little in

[Tangerine LaBamba]

6. That sounds wonderful -

there's a place near here - an Italian place, no less - that plays a list something like yours. It's quite wonderful.

But, yeah, I can see how it might make youngsters think "old and expensive." But, how does this happen? They walk in, hear the music, and walk out?

Do you have a menu in the window? That might help.

Slip in some Sinatra and Bennett - that might help, too? Maybe?

[Capn Sunshine]

14. Sinatra and Bennet are in the rotation

and the menu is in the window.
But I dig your vibe, man :hi:

[Tangerine LaBamba]

17. Hee hee...........

I think your people are jazzing you - to coin a phrase - and just want to hear different music.

You gotta try some kind of gimmick, I think - something like inviting customers to suggest music they'd like to hear, maybe?

[Zomby Woof]

8. I remember you saying you were doing this

Eager to try it out, I must say.

As for the music, I love what you said you are playing, but I am close to being a geezer. To me, it's not "expensive", but rather so rare that I don't equate with anything in particular. I usually think expensive restaurants play generic, quasi-classical music - a tinkling piano or such.

Perhaps mix it up with vintage blues/r&b, up to and including the 60's. That way, you don't compromise the quality of the music, and you can suggest a little less "refinement", without actually being unrefined at all.

[Capn Sunshine]

11. Hey Zomby !

Yeah, I did it. Opened Dec 15 last year. Have a non-html no flash website if you want to see:
My restaurant

[Zomby Woof]

13. Sounds amazing!

I'm sold.

Going to show this to Nini and see if we can make a quick trip up to your county. Consider the guacamole pre-ordered, lol.

I hope whatever setbacks you are experiencing are short-lived. I think once I experience it myself, I will probably revise my answer to you. I don't see any reason why this can't work for you. Sounds like a welcoming place with incredible cuisine!

[Capn Sunshine]

15. Kewl!

I'd enjoy seeing some Duers here

[Capn Sunshine]

16. Kewl!

I'd enjoy seeing some Duers here

[amerikat]

12. dance competition that blends breaking old and breaking new

just a suggestion
http://www.wimp.com/peopledance/

[vadawg]

18. personally i cant stand jazz, so i would walk away right away

but i asked around and no one in the block would frequent a jazz place except one dude whos touching late 70's, so there you have it out of 50 guys, one vote for jazz..

[Tangerine LaBamba]

19. "... in the block... "?

Are you in the slammer, my friend?

You just asked fifty guys?

Or are you in a seminary?

[vadawg]

20. lol yeah im in the slammer, though as a deputy.. but the dudes are a captive audience

and i do ask them their opinions on DU stuff, plus you gets lot of inside info about where they are from etc etc etc.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

22. Very cool -

I thought you were an attorney - now I know why they tell you the truth and lie to us - you're a good, brave man, dawg...................

[merh]

21. He works at a place that has a captive audience

I'm not sure that is the best place to conduct such a survey, they don't get to go out for meals too often.

I'd think some of them would enjoy any music with their food as long as they were free to order off a menu.

[vadawg]

23. lol true, but at least they give you honest answers

well at least to me, as a lot of inmates tells me its wierd why i became a cop considering my background...

[merh]

24. they give the answers you seek

you know "boss" they don't need you for anything, why should they work ya

[rug]

27. I don't think that's the clientele he's looking for.

[Capn Sunshine]

28. that's for sure

cons and a decent restaurant don't go together
What kind of music do they favor at restaurants they frequent?
because I definitely want to avoid that
btw, bumped up for the day timers in the lounge

[surrealAmerican]

26. Can customers actually hear the music before they get in the door?

If not, I can't see the music as being as major an influence as the neighborhood, prices, and menu. Very few people walk out after entering because of music.
If so, wouldn't that mean it's just too loud?

[Haole Girl]

29. After spending a little bit of time in New Orleans, no.... not at all

Some people!