Run a recurring club night in a rented venue

Guests buying tickets or paying cover at the door. The venue may also share bar revenue with you, depending on your deal.

Door and ticket sales, plus an agreed share of bar sales or a guaranteed fee from the venue. Costs include DJs, promotion, security and any venue hire.

• Promotion and social media
• Negotiating with venues and DJs
• Organizing events
• Customer service

• Check who holds the alcohol license, since you usually should not sell alcohol under the venue's license without a written agreement and your state's approval
• General liability, and check whether the venue requires you to carry liquor liability or event insurance
• Music licensing: ask the venue whether it holds ASCAP, BMI, SESAC and GMR licenses that cover your events
• Check whether your city requires a permit or promoter registration for ticketed events
• Income depends on turnout, so a quiet night can leave you paying DJs and security out of pocket
• Venue capacity, security and age rules (such as 21+) should be written into your agreement

Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on venue terms, DJs, branding, ticketing and any insurance. A quiet night can leave you covering DJs and security yourself, so budget a cushion.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on turnout, ticket or cover prices and any bar revenue share you agree with the venue. These are estimates, not guarantees.

Check who holds the alcohol license and get a written agreement before selling alcohol. Also check whether the venue's music licenses cover your events, any city permit or promoter registration, insurance requirements, and capacity, security and age rules.