How to start a club night

Eight steps to your first club night

Most new nights take a couple of months from idea to opening. Doing these in order means you know the numbers work before you commit to a venue or a line-up.

1. 1

   Pick a sound and a crowd

   Decide what the night is: the music, the feel and who it's for. A clear idea is easier to name, book and promote than "good music, good vibes". Check what else is on in your city on the nights you're considering, and look for a gap rather than going head to head with an established night.

2. 2

   Work out your budget and break-even

   List every cost (DJs, venue, sound and lights if they're not included, door and security, promotion, design) and divide the total by your ticket price. That's how many tickets you need to sell before you make anything. If the number looks out of reach for the room, change the plan before you book anything.

3. 3

   Find a venue and agree the deal

   Look for a room that suits your crowd and that you can realistically fill: a full small room beats a half-empty big one. Ask what kind of deal they offer, and get it in writing: capacity, curfew, who provides sound, lights, door staff and security, and when and how you're paid.

4. 4

   Book your DJs and line-up

   Mix residents who'll grow with the night and, when the budget allows, one name that brings their own crowd. Agree fees, set times, travel and anything they need in writing, and ask every DJ to share the night with their followers.

5. 5

   Check the rules

   In a licensed venue, the venue's licence and capacity limits usually cover the night, but confirm what they expect from you. For a warehouse, pop-up or any space that isn't usually a venue, check with your local council about permits, licences and safety requirements well before you announce.

6. 6

   Set up tickets, releases and your guest list

   Price a small early bird release to reward people who commit first, then a general release and a final release. Keep the guest list short and in the same system as your paid tickets, and give each DJ or promoter their own promo code.

7. 7

   Promote it

   Announce six to eight weeks out, then give people a reason to post and buy at each stage: line-up reveals, DJ mixes, clips from the venue, and each ticket release closing. Your DJs, the venue and your first crowd are your best promoters.

8. 8

   Run the night and settle up

   Brief your door staff, scan tickets on phones as people arrive, and check the guest list by name. Stick to set times. Settle with the venue and DJs as agreed, then thank your crowd, share photos and announce the next date while the night is still fresh.

Working out your break-even

An example for a small night on a door deal, with no hire fee. Your numbers will be different, but the sum is the same: total costs divided by ticket price.

If the room holds 150, 55 tickets is achievable. If it holds 60, the plan needs changing: a cheaper line-up, a higher price or a bigger room. To see what buyers pay and what you receive at different prices, try the ticket fee calculator.

Common venue deals

Every venue does it a little differently, so ask exactly what's included and get it in writing before you announce. Running it somewhere that isn't a licensed venue? See event permits and insurance in Australia.

Selling tickets for your club night

Releases that sell out give people a reason to buy early, promo codes turn your DJs into sellers, and tickets that can't be screenshotted keep the door honest. For the full setup, see club night ticketing, and for the promotion plan, how to promote an event.

Events sold on Tickify

Frequently asked questions