Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

What's a juicy bar, you ask? Basically it's a night club/bar, where attractive female staffers convince patrons to buy the girls overpriced drinks in exchange for conversation/companionship. wiki link

It goes without saying that the average FLGS patron is a bit socially awkward and probably doesn't meet too many cute gamer girls. Or cute girls in general. So imagine an FLGS where girls come around and talk you up about how your game is going, complement your painting, etc... I expect that the average gamer guy would lap up the attention, even if it meant spending $5-$10 on "juice" to make the girls stick around (for maybe 15 minutes). Throw in a bit of cosplay for added incentive: who wouldn't want Sailor Moon to blow on their dice during a critical close combat phase? Maybe even use the girls to push product: "Mmmm, I love a man with a Vampire Counts army. You would look SO sexy with another unit of Blood Knights."



A couple of issues I forsee:

1. Is restricting the club to 18+ necessary if there's no nudity? I suppose it depends on your jurisdiction, but Hooters has a similar business model and no age limit (come for the wings, stay for the breasts and thighs!) While an age limit would avoid any issues with underage clientele (legal ones as well as maturity) it would also restrict your potential income.
2. Acquiring and retaining competent staffers. Attractive females who are nerdy enough to learn about 40k, MTG, etc. to communicate with the clients, seductive enough to fleece said clients of their $$$ on drinks. Sure such creatures exist but I suspect they are much rarer than, say, the typical exotic dancer, who doesn't need a niche knowledge base like miniature wargaming.
3. Profitability. This business model works in parts of Asia largely by suppressing the wages of the girls who are pretty much indentured servants and victims of human trafficking. Strip clubs work because men are willing to spend $$$ to have boobs rubbed in their face. If no boob are being shown your income goes down, and if you are subject to sensible labor laws like in the US your operating expenses go up. Since wargaming is already a pricey hobby, the average patron may not have enough spare money to spend on the girls.


Whatever your thoughts, I'd highly encourage people to vote in the poll and comment if the poll options aren't comprehensive enough. I guess this post constitutes my initial attempt at market research.

I...bu...ummm...Please tell me your not serious?

L. Wrex

I honestly don't see this working at all.

Also if there was a "This idea sucks" option in the poll, I'd be voting for that. I don't think the idea is neat and I don't think you are a terrible person. Seems like you left out a rather important option?

Uh. Huh.

I would stop wargaming if this became popular, because really, does this hobby further social stigma?

There was a company I remember reading about on slashdot that talked about a gaming service where you could pay to have a girl play a game online with you about a year ago. Given that I can't remember the name of the company and haven't seen it referred to anywhere on the internets, I can imagine how well it worked out.

Also, on the bright side, you've caused me to completely and wholeheartedly agree with ph34r, which is something I don't think I've done for a long time. Perhaps you should be less concerned with providing a disingenuous sense of companionship for profit and work on furthering world peace?

Alternatively, it occurs to me that most of the stereotype that you speak of as being the particular demographic would be far to misanthropic and sociopathic to properly accept the situation, would inevitably get it in his head that there was a relationship, and then probably violently lash out in a scene uncomfortable for the girl, the guy, and everyone else involved. I can't imagine wanting for anyone to be in such a position.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also, props on option #4.

Ok, after my initial bewilderment as to exactly what you are trying to pitch us passed, I decided to approach this objectively and try to see if a viable business model could be constructed.

I can honestly say that I doubt very much that it will. Excluding legality, price, location, staff, premises, opening hours, etc etc you've completely and totally mis-read your target market. If gamers want to talk to girls, I'm sure most of them can, and will do so. Gamers come to a FLGS to play games, not to be awkwardly approached by women who merely want you to spend money on them. One of the most awkward parts of going to a strip club is seeing the women feign an interest in the guys merely to get them into the booths.

You are also expecting the stigma surrounding wargaming to be a constant which, I'm afraid, it very much isn't anymore. I'm on the verge of calling your OP insulting, as I have been to a number of FLGS as well as GW stores and only 1 or 2 of the members there (out of a total 50+ people) could be attributed as the 'nerdy geek' type, a far cry from the 'average FLGS patron' you have envisualised.

So yeah, horrific idea. You're not a 'terrible person', not do I (I guess) oppose the idea on moral grounds. I just don't ever, ever see this kind of thing working.

L. Wrex

Sounds improbable and rife with pitfalls. I am slightly familiar with the concept you're borrowing from, and it's nor an industry that I'd recommend trying to build from. Swamp doesn't make a solid foundation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Host_and_hostess_clubs

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0493420/

It sounds like someone just got back from a tour with the Marines in S. Korea...

i chose option 4, it made me lol.

but to stay on topic. The FLGS is were you come to play and be geeky (in a good way )
Adding in woman who talk to you etc. Will rather lead to your customers escape, then more players.
I came to play, not to gaze at woman.

Lycaeus Wrex wrote:Gamers come to a FLGS to play games, not to be awkwardly approached by women who merely want you to spend money on them. One of the most awkward parts of going to a strip club is seeing the women feign an interest in the guys merely to get them into the booths.

You know, I never got that. The few times I've been to strip clubs, I couldn't shake that feeling of being looked at like a meal ticket. I just don't understand what the allure is.

There is nothing morally reprehensible about ladies taking advantage of socially awkward man-boys too foolish to hang onto their money at a club. This idea is bad because it is just bad. But the quiz wording means I can't select any of them. Some folks have made excellent arguments as to why, but I have a few more on the business side.

Problems with the idea...

Its not unique. Why not just go to a normal gentleman's club to pay for female attention? Strippers/dancers are role-playing anyway, its just a different game.

High testosterone means "jocks" are going to bully the geeks no matter what. What are you going to do, quiz people on their gamer knowledge before coming in? Even worse, what about the WoW gamers who think they can bully the tabletop wargamers? D&D 4.0 picking on the 3.5ers or vice versa? Tabletop RP vs. LARPers??? It would be madness. You think the internet e-peen contests are bad, geeks trying to outgeek each other for a pretend-geek girl's attention? Ugh.

You can get all the cosplay you want by going to a con, like Dragon*Con, Otakon, etc etc.

So, this is just a bad idea. Nothing morally wrong, it just doesn't make sense. The target audience is too small (L. wrex covers it nicely) and the competing offerings too widespread.

Edit- I can't write good

That's ignoring the fact that a lot of 40k gamers are older, and many of them are married or have families. I can't imagine their wives being pleased with the idea of their husbands going to game while surronded by hot women.

I'm all for geeky girls. They're awesome, but I don't want to be surronded by girls who are only pretending to be interested in what I have to say. I'd much prefer meeting someone who actually is interested in gaming/geeky stuff.

So yeah...I don't oppose the idea on moral ground, so I chose option 3. I suppose you'll have SOME appeal.....but I can't imagine you being succesful.

Edit: Not to mention, if I'm playing a game, I want to play the game! I will chat up people around me if they're interested, but I want to focus on the game and crusing my opponents beneath the threads of my Leman Russes. The last thing I want is for some scantily clad girl trying to get me to buy a drink for her. Hell, I may buy a drink just to get her to go away. Usually I enjoy talking and explaining the hobby to people, but when I know the person is just there because it's their job? The appeal dissapears entirerly.

Paying for women to pretend to be interested in your hobby. What a bizarre idea. Most people want the genuine article, this is more like some sort of geek-prostitution. Perhaps we could hire out girls who will sit down and watch episodes of Star Trek to keep trekkies happy.

I don't think all gamers are that socially inept, there are a few but not to warrant this nonsense. Furthermore, lots of people like gaming shops and associating with other geeky sorts specifically to get away from the not-we. Paying them to come in. even if they are a pretty girl, isn't what they want.

I think I remember reading about cosplay cafes like this in Japan. I think it's just as creepy there as it is here. I love pretty girls as much as any guy, but I think this is a weird idea that's wrong in ways I can and can't put my finger on.

I think the worst thing about this (potential sexism discussions aside) is how it propagates the idea that people with an interest in our hobby are antisocial nerds who can't speak to women. I think you'll find that most geeks with problems finding girls are still guys in high school, where most of us were awkward enough as is.

Finally, the clientele this club would attract are probably not the sort of people you'd want around young, pretty girls. The kind of person, let alone gamer, who is so antisocial that he has no hopes of meeting a woman typically, will probably hit on or harass the girls working there.

To sum it up, this isn't a terribly good idea. I applaud your ingenuity, but it isn't a venture I'd look further into.

you know, I initially thought you meant "juice bar", as in a place you go to buy smoothies. then I read the post and thought: "you. fething. donkey-cave."

I voted for #4, but not because I am opposed to the idea of a "juicy bar". If women are willing to sell themselves out like that, they can go apesh*t. I oppose the idea because it only serves to reinforce the Idea that tabletop gamers are socially inept and will do anything for female attention.

I apologize for my language, but stereotypes about gamers and nerds REALLY get under my skin.

Noble713 wrote:What's a juicy bar, you ask? Basically it's a night club/bar, where attractive female staffers convince patrons to buy the girls overpriced drinks in exchange for conversation/companionship. wiki link
.

Ok I actually think this is the worst idea I have heard in a long time. Having spent time in Korea and actually been to juicy bars I am wondering how you would make money on this? At real juicy bars they pay essentially slave wages women. Not only do I not see this working in America at all (well legally anyway) but what is the connection to gaming at all?


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Whirling Blade Exarch wrote:you know, I initially thought you meant "juice bar", as in a place you go to buy smoothies. then I read the post and thought: "you. fething. donkey-cave."
.

And pretty much that above

So you're going to hire me to cater to socially awkward...waiiiiit....

brettz123 wrote:

Noble713 wrote:What's a juicy bar, you ask? Basically it's a night club/bar, where attractive female staffers convince patrons to buy the girls overpriced drinks in exchange for conversation/companionship. wiki link
.

Ok I actually think this is the worst idea I have heard in a long time. Having spent time in Korea and actually been to juicy bars I am wondering how you would make money on this? At real juicy bars they pay essentially slave wages women. Not only do I not see this working in America at all (well legally anyway) but what is the connection to gaming at all?


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Whirling Blade Exarch wrote:you know, I initially thought you meant "juice bar", as in a place you go to buy smoothies. then I read the post and thought: "you. fething.XXXXX
.

And pretty much that above

LOL, Your not paying for the juice, your paying to get laid. As for the GIRL getting paid, your joking right? They get paid? What club were YOU in?

As to the topic from the OP?

I'm going to vote for you being a donkey cave, and really not knowing what your talking about. The fact that you ae being as condisending as you can be while thinking your funny was what sold me on the idea.

Please, Mack, Remove this muck and don't ride this train.

On a serious tip, the girls are slave fodder in these clubs. As a Joe, Back in the day it was fun and games, but after we started seeing our fellow mates start getting rammed for of all things just going in these sorts of clubs, they pretty much lose thier alure.
Human Trafficing is a serious thing, even in the states, there are stories every now and then about this sort of "club". Rape and tourture are not nessesarily something that is entertaining when it happens in real life, and you see the end results.

I was involved with some MP pals of mine back in the day and got to go on some rounds on CP back in the day. Some of the stuff that happens isn't only tragic, its horrid in all senses of the word.

I worked Graves Registration back then, and some things just arn't funny when you get in on some of that action. Dead hooker in the trunk is funny. Dead hooker under the bed for a week .....

That's a hooker of a different color.

On the whole this is just... in bad taste.

Your topics not funny, and you come off as a D bag with your name attached to it.

I don't think he was advocating human trafficking, Grot 6.

I think the OP has gotten an adequate and unanimous answer to his question.

Given that some folks are seeing this thread as justification to draw very negative inferences about the OP himself (who, it may be hoped, is not entirely serious about this idea in addition to having not entirely thought it through), I see no good reason for the thread to stay open.