Editor’s Note
Glass Half Full?
Advisory Board
When the conomy is good, people drink. When it’s not so good, people drink. This is America — we drank during Prohibition, which is proof we like our cocktails, wine and brews no matter what. But while
drink sales on-premise
are down in 2009, alcohol
sales at retail are up,
as more folks look to save some cash by
imbibing at home. Not so good for our
industry. Or is it?
They may have shifted where they drink,
but Americans haven’t changed their un-
quenchable thirst or their desire to socialize,
relax and be entertained. Who satisfies that
better than us? After exercising restraint
for more than a year, I’d wager Americans
are itching to get out of the house and back
into the bars, clubs and restaurants.
Looking to 2010, when the economy
is expected to slowly recover, any venue
operator who is not promoting both their
Donna Hood Crecca
Editorial Director
drinks and their scene can expect sales to
continue on the downward spiral. Why? Because promotions drive sales. Need proof?
Just look at our special report on data
from GuestMetrics (page 27). While the
numbers are not great, there are pockets
of growth, which GuestMetrics’ Tammy
Posten attributes primarily to promotions.
Additionally, the report shows bars and
nightclubs are outperforming the rest of the
hospitality industry when it comes to drink
sales. Again, promotions play a huge role,
but so does the fact that patrons find value
in the vibe, energy and experience of being
in the coolest club or the coziest bar.
To get a jump on what to promote and
ways to energize your place in 2010, check
out our picks for the trends to tap into
next year (page 14). We can’t control the
economy, but we can control how well we
plan and how creative we are in promoting our businesses. As you toast the New
Year, it’s really up to you to determine if the
glass is half empty or half full.
Get Tagged!
These tags indicate stories about a particular segment. Look for them on the Contents page and stories.
Nightclub
Independent
Restaurant
Hotel &
Resort
Cruise Line
Bar &
Lounge
Chain
Restaurant
Casino
2 Nightclub & Bar Magazine | DECEMBER 2009
Publisher
Sean Carr • scarr@questex.com
(216) 706-3726
Editorial Director
Donna Hood Crecca • dcrecca@questex.com
(631) 265-3839
Managing Editor
Emily Hanna Mayock • ehanna@questex.com
(216) 706-3762
Creative Directors
Rob Ghosh • rghosh@questex.com
Joseph Kalinowski •
jkalinowski@questex.com
Senior Production Manager
Paul Lange • plange@questex.com
(216) 706-3773
Contributing Editors
Jenny Adams, Bryan Bass, Michael
Harrelson, Robert Plotkin
Contributing Writers
Lew Bryson, Ashley Gartland,
Glenn Haussman, Kelly Magyarics,
Garrett Peck, Jack Robertiello, Jon Taffer
Web Manager
Maegen Hurtado • mhurtado@questex.com
(216) 706-3777
Advertising Sales
Eastern Region Account Manager
Darlene Balzano •
darlene.balzano@questex.com
(216) 373-6865
Western Region Account Manager
Kip Ongstad • kongstad@questex.com
(714) 540-5110
For subscriptions or
customer service concerns:
P: (847) 763-9594 (847) 763-9694
nightclub&bar@halldata.com
P. O. Box 1269, Skokie IL 60076
Lists:
Ilene Schwartz, Kroll Direct
(216) 371-1667 • Fax (216) 371-1669
Ilene@krolldirect.com
Reprints:
The YGS Group
(800) 290-5460 • Fax (717) 399-8900
nightclubandbar@theygsgroup.com
www.nightclub.com
Anthony Abbinante
Tony Abou-Ganim
Ralph Aguera
Mario Andretti
Charles Andrews
Carlo Barone
Brian Barrett
Jeff Bartfield
Don Billings
Mike Blumberg
Michael Bombard
George Borrello
Ron Breitstein
David Brown
Fredrick G. Brown
Scott Burch
Raymond Burton
Cindy Busi
Edgar Carlson
Adam Chafetz
Harvey Chaplin
Lonnie Charleson
Clint Clausen
Jim Colosi
David Commer
Dave Courington
Christopher B. Coursen
Peter Cressy
Steve Crucri
Matt Davenport
Billy Dec
Patrick Droesch
Matt Durbin
Bob Fenley
Jim Flaherty
Ray Ford
Stuart Foster
Mike Ginley
Jim Grace
Thom Greco
Greg Greenbaum
Charlie Greener
Jeff Grindrod
Mike Grosser
Barry Gutin
Paul Hartgen
David Henkes
Patrick Henry
Cian Hickey
Doug Jackson
Ken Jarecki
Debbie Johnson
Patrick Kirk
John Knorr
Ken Kribel
John Lingo
Ken Madison
Ryan Magarian
Wyatt Magnum
Ted McAleer
John Metz
Mike Mikenas
Lonnie Moore
Scott Moore
Vic Morrison
Gary Namm
Ron Newman
Michael Nelson
Stan Novack
Andrew O’Rourke
Roberta Perry
Robert Plotkin
Randy Porter
Jonathan Ressler
Keith Riley
Jim Robinson
Ken Ruff
Glenn Schmitt
Richard R. Schneider
Bob Sikora
Jimmy Skeadas
Joseph Smith
Sterling Smith
Robert C. Smith
Sam Stanovich
Jason Strauss
Jose “Papo” Suarez
Jim Sullivan
Jon Taffer
Frederick M. Tibbitts Jr.
Robert Vail
Richard Verrechia
Jesse & Cy Waits
Kent Walrack
Chuck Weisberg
Harry G. Wiles
Diageo
The Modern Mixologist
Brown-Forman Beverages Worldwide
Andretti Winery
National Distributing Co.
Zodiac Spirits
GuestMetrics, Inc.
William Grant & Sons
Incentive Marketing Inc.
Crown Imports
E-Brands Restaurants
Progressive Specialty Glass
Chicago Wine Merchants
Houlihan’s Restaurant Inc.
TGIC Importers, Inc.
Burch Management Co. Inc.
InterContinental Hotels Group
Hard Rock International
Hospitality USA
Health Communications TIPS
Southern Wine & Spirits of America Inc.
High Energy Holdings, LLC
SBE
Charles Jacquin Et. Cie Inc.
Commer Beverage Consulting
Valley-Dynamo L.P.
Infinity Hospitality Group
Distilled Spirits Council of the United States
Ariz. Restaurant & Hospitality Assoc.
SK YY Spirits
Rockit Ranch Productions
Brinker International
Carlson Restaurants Worldwide
TapDynamics, Inc.
Flaherty Beverage Brokers
FORD Management Services Inc.
Moet Hennessy USA
Next Level Marketing
Glazers
Greco Holdings
CentArchy Restaurant Management Co.
Harborage International Inc.
Brand Action
ZipScene
Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar
Maryland Restaurant Association
Technomic Inc.
Patrick Henry Creative Promotions Inc.
Anheuser-Busch InBev
Darden Restaurants
Shaw-Ross International Importers
Ariz. Hotel & Lodging Assoc.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Phillips Foods Inc.
Southern Wine and Spirits
Tooters Promotions
Labatt USA
Liquid Relations
CMS/MMG
Sidney Frank Importing
Metz Enterprises
Barton Brands Ltd.
The Dolce Group
Pernod Ricard USA
McCormick Distilling Co.
Tampa Bay Partners
Newman Hospitality
Promo Only Networks
Novack Consulting LLC
Heineken USA
Roberta Perry and Associates
BarMedia
Glazers
Juice Wireless
Monster Beverage
Promo Only
Future Brands LLC
Marke Team Inc.
Ballys Atlantic City
Bobby Q’s
Show Tenders Inc.
Monin Gourmet Flavorings
Sterling Leadership Consulting LLC
Nightclub Security Consultants
National Restaurant Association Solutions
TAO Asian Bistro & Nightclub
Coco Lopez
Sullivision Inc.
Taffer Dynamics Inc.
Fred Tibbitts & Associates Inc.
The Boston Beer Company
OSI
Drai’s After Hours, Tryst, XS
Lyons Magnus
Kameryn Beverage Marketing
American Beverage Licensees
