Behind the Scenes of a Hot Nightclub Business

AV Nightclub boasts one of the toughest doors to get through in Hollywood. Owner Matt Bendik explains how he built it.

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AV Nightclub in Hollywood

 

The night club business is not an easy one to master. There are permits, licenses, and bureaucracy to manage. It takes a tremendous amount of attention to create a brand that sizzles with consumers. If you're lucky enough to succeed, then you have to worry about staying relevant and keeping your fingers on the pulse of what people want in the face of stiff competition.

"It's a really sexy business... but you're starting out with a very saturated competitive environment," says Matt Bendik, co-owner of a slew of upscale night clubs including AV Nightclub, an exclusive Hollywood venue he opened in May. Some people consider it to have the toughest door to get through and one frequented by the likes of Chris Brown, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Ne-Yo.

Even so, Bendik says the nightclub business, in particular, is highly lucrative if done properly. With a degree from Cornell Hotel School and years of living and working in hotels as well as experience opening dozens of venues, he says you need to nail six things to draw long lines at the doo