LGBTQ+ club night in a hired venue

LGBTQ+ people and allies who pay for tickets or entry and buy drinks. The venue may share door or bar takings with you, or charge you a hire fee.

Ticket or door income, a share of bar takings if agreed with the venue, and sometimes sponsorship or paid drinks promotions. Costs are venue hire, DJs, promotion and door staff.

• Promoting events on social media
• Booking and managing DJs and performers
• Creating a safe, welcoming atmosphere
• Budgeting and negotiating with venues

• Check the venue's premises licence covers your hours and the type of event, and who is the designated premises supervisor
• Check whether the venue or you need a music licence (PPL PRS) for the event
• Door staff may need to be SIA licensed, check what applies to your night
• Public liability insurance, and check what the venue's insurance does and does not cover
• Plan for customer safety, including a clear policy on harassment, drink spiking and getting people home safely
• Income can swing with weather, competing events and the time of year

Startup costs are typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on the venue deal, your promotion and the DJs or performers you book. Check whether the venue charges a hire fee or shares door or bar takings with you.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £800 to £6,000, depending on ticket or entry income and any bar or door share. Income can swing with weather, competing events and the time of year, so plan for quieter nights.

Check the venue's premises licence covers your hours and type of event, and who the designated premises supervisor is. Also check music licences (PPL PRS), whether door staff need SIA licences, and what public liability cover and the venue's insurance include.