The nightclub and bar industry’s top operators continued to shine despite the nation’s economic woes last year. The 2010 Nightclub & Bar Top 100 reveals that at the upper echelon this business is dynamic, vibrant and, yes, growing.
Developed by Nightclub & Bar in partnership with Chicago-based hospitality market research firm Technomic Inc., the 2010 Top 100 list is the industry’s only ranking of leading nightclub, bar and lounge venues based on total revenue. Altogether, these 100 venues generated an estimated $1.2 billion in revenue in 2009.
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As expected, Vegas dominated the top tier, with newcomer XS displacing Tao to take the number one slot. Opened on December 31, 2008, as the lavish club in the Wynn Encore property, XS set a new standard of opulence and revenue generation. The revenues generated by the major Vegas clubs indicate that revelers in that city continue to frequent these venues, even in tough times. Numerous venues located in Southern California markets, including Hollywood, Los Angeles and San Diego, also made the list, which is notable given the hit California’s economy took last year.
New York City contributed a cool dozen to the 2010 Top 100, with established venues Marquee and Pacha NYC leading the pack. Ten nightclubs, bars and lounges in Miami also proved hot enough to rank among the Top 100, among them the sizzling LIV and Mojito-driven Mango’s Tropical Café.
The research conducted to develop the list revealed that 53 percent of operators surveyed reported sales growth in 2009 — the average increase was 3.5 percent — and 29 percent report revenues holding steady with 2008 levels. Seven percent reported a decline. According to David Henkes, vice president and adult beverage practice leader at Technomic, the nightclub, bar and lounge segment outperformed the on-premise industry overall in 2009, a trend that’s expected to continue.
Look for additional coverage of the Nightclub & Bar Top 100 in the March issue of Nightclub & Bar Magazine, and be sure to check out the Top 100 Panel keynote session being presented on Monday, March 8 during the Nightclub & Bar Convention and Trade Show in Las Vegas.
Click here for the complete list.
Top 100 Methodology
The 2010 Nightclub & Bar Top 100 list was developed by Nightclub & Bar in partnership with Technomic Inc. using primary and secondary research. An online survey of operators was conducted from Oct. 14 to Dec. 1, 2009, and yielded primary data from 600 nightclub, bar and lounge concepts, from which key information and insights were generated. Secondary research involving public databases and sources, scans of major metropolitan markets and industry resources provided additional data points. Total revenues are presented in ranges for calendar year 2009; specific ranking is determined by estimated midpoint of annual revenue. Concepts included can operate in no more than five locations and must be operating all 12 months of calendar 2009.