As a club owner, I have to ask why you want to start a club. Had I done my homework properly, I probably wouldn't have (although it did turn out pretty well). As a profession it is not glamorous and with rare exceptions it is not particularly profitable. Carefully examine your motivations before doing this.
But with that being said ...........
Make sure you have plenty of liquid capitol. Expect to personally lose money for at least 2 years. Do not count on the club making even a fraction of expenses for that time. Clubs grow very slowly.
Please, please please, hire an attorney and make sure that he does a thorough job. Be sure you are zoned properly and obtain all of the proper licenses, permits etc.... You would be suprised what requires permits and licenses (vending or cigarette machines, pool tables, hot tubs, Dj's etc... all usually require licenses or permits). Make sure you comply with your licenses at all times and that the licenses that you obtain do not then prevent the club from operating in the manner you wish.
EXAMPLE: in Providence, RI you need an entertainment license for a DJ. However, nudity violates the terms for holding an entertainment license. Nudity is allowed with an adult entertainment license, BUT adult entertainment licenses require specific zoning AND 2 adult entertainment licenses cannot be held with 2000 feet of one another. When the city was rezoned, no zone that allowed an adult entertaiment license was big enough to allow for 2000 feet between businesses.
Best of luck and welcome to the wacky world of swing club ownership.
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