Diggnation Bar (Big Beers) Discussion

[number_01]

Hey just wanted to start a thread for the idea Kevin had on Episode 274 for Big Beers/Diggnation Bar. I live in L.A. and I just wanted to say I'd probably check it out if there was one here. I only had a few questions thought that I think some other people have.

1.Is a Geek Themed bar a good idea? Most geeks I know don't really go out to bars or if they did they just goto regular bars. I think when Kevin mentioned Big Beers he was on to something, the idea of there being a really big beer that was the kick. I could see a bar with really good food, maybe tea, and beer that displays Diggnation on a certain nights but I wouldn't want to rule out a stage for live performers or sports games on the TVs either.

2.The whole turnover issue. On 274 Glenn/or Prager mentioned that the average bar lasts 2 years, I've heard that it's hard to do a good restaurant or bar. That said I think the best approach would be partnering with an already existant partnership that owns restaurants and bars to manage and promote it and knows the market. I see a lot of restaurants here in L.A. opening and closing.

3.Their own beers. This was the best idea. What about opening up a Brewery and Bar and then selling the beers around the country? So everyone else can try the beers before the bars are opened in their cities.

Everyone else thoughts?

[zambaito]

i would love love love a place for diggnation fans to congregate. a mecca if you will. but the start up costs for that would probably be a lot unless they can get partnered with someone. though i think that it could really help with the rebranding of diggnation for them to have something of a call back to the old school get drunk and stupid diggnations.

the concept of having cool imported beers and their own beers is awesome cuz everytime i see them drinking some crazy stuff that they say tastes amazing i want it. but there is usually no way to get it. it would be cool to have like featured beers from the show so we can drink along with them and what not.

[jskeff]

Two words: Planet Hollywood...

[spp41]

Originally Posted by number_01

1.Is a Geek Themed bar a good idea? Most geeks I know don't really go out to bars or if they did they just goto regular bars. I think when Kevin mentioned Big Beers he was on to something, the idea of there being a really big beer that was the kick.

What I was thinking too. If I lived down there I would probably check it out once. You probably wouldn't be able to meet many girls in place like that, haha. With the big beer thing though, they could definitely attract more than just 'geeks'.

[krazyfool88]

Originally Posted by zambaito

everytime i see them drinking some crazy stuff that they say tastes amazing i want it. but there is usually no way to get it. it would be cool to have like featured beers from the show so we can drink along with them and what not.

Most of the beers they have on the show aren't that hard to find, try Bevmo or specialty liquor stores, craft beer is where it's at anyway. But a Diggnation bar would be awesome, put it in San Diego though.

[guyd]

Hmm, I think I’ll address everyone else first:

Originally Posted by number_01

1.Is a Geek Themed bar a good idea? Most geeks I know don't really go out to bars or if they did they just goto regular bars. I think when Kevin mentioned Big Beers he was on to something, the idea of there being a really big beer that was the kick. I could see a bar with really good food, maybe tea, and beer that displays Diggnation on a certain nights but I wouldn't want to rule out a stage for live performers or sports games on the TVs either.

I actually think it has a lot of potential however I think it would work better as a Bar/Restaurant (Which I think sounds more like what they were describing.) I also like the idea you mentioned of maybe tea is a cool idea and a stage would be great. (If Kevin Smith can have a theater(SMOD Castle) for his podcast why can’t Diggnation have a Bar?).

Originally Posted by number_01

2.The whole turnover issue. On 274 Glenn/or Prager mentioned that the average bar lasts 2 years, I've heard that it's hard to do a good restaurant or bar. That said I think the best approach would be partnering with an already existent partnership that owns restaurants and bars to manage and promote it and knows the market. I see a lot of restaurants here in L.A. opening and closing.

This is always the worry with starting something like this so you may be right in that a partnership would be a good idea. However I would still rather see them be successful on there own.

Originally Posted by number_01

3.Their own beers. This was the best idea. What about opening up a Brewery and Bar and then selling the beers around the country? So everyone else can try the beers before the bars are opened in their cities.

I have to agree this has to be one of the best part’s of this Idea and I would really look forward to it. (Random ideas for Beers fanatic beers. Example: Macintosh Hard Cider, Windows BSD (Blue Screen of Death) (something similar to Sam Adams Utopias MMII & Samuel Adams Millennium if you know what I mean), The 2600 (I’m not sure maybe a Stout), etc…)

Originally Posted by jskeff

Two words: Planet Hollywood...

… really?... Is it that you think this is what it will become or are you trying to say rather than have them make a place they should just start broadcasting from a yuppie restaurant?

Originally Posted by spp41

What I was thinking too. If I lived down there I would probably check it out once. You probably wouldn't be able to meet many girls in place like that, haha. With the big beer thing though, they could definitely attract more than just 'geeks'.

You may not be able to meet to many girls, but you have to remember if you meet some there is a higher potential of them fitting the Geek Hot category.

Hmm, other than that I think San Diego would be an awesome location (despite it not being that close to me now. It would make a good place to meet people I know down there though). Another location that could be good is possibly downtown Long Beach near the convention center, now that we are getting a decent comics convention of our own. I would say downtown LA near that convention center, but that area still makes me nerves. All I know is a lot of scouting would probably have to be done to find the right location.

Also some other things to consider is this would be a good location for live Revision3 shows in general and also given there ties to the tech and entertainment industry it could become a very popular location for events and reviles potentially.

[graphicism]

Sounds like an awesome concept, bet it looks great on paper. In reality bars and alcohol in general invite the wrong sorts of people and you can't do anything about that. The majority of bars in America are either sports bars or hiphop clubs and there is a reason for that!

Yeah I'd love to see it, will never happen.

[nerfdude3k]

Saint Louis. get some. Tower Grove or The Grove would eat this idea up. or Soulard. or the Loop. or even downtown on Washington or Locust.

STL loves microbreweries, come back!

[daveftw]

Bigg Beers

[murphy1d]

I actually think Kevin is on to something and for the same reasons that some of you are against the idea:
#1. - Geeks don't frequent bars as much as douche-bags: I think this is true because most bars cater to either Rothlisbergers or Hiltons. This one would cater to a different crowd and thus would have its own "vibe" that would attract the people who didn't want to go out initially and deal with DB's.
#2. - Geeks don't consume nearly as much alcohol as DB's and they know the value of a dollar. - I get this too, which is why the restaurant side would be important to its success.
#3. - Geeks aren't as focused on the normal bar things like sports and trends: This is where the bar would stand out. If they showed the weekly episodes of shows we all love like The Big Bang Theory and Terriers then that could be an event just like MNF. Heck, they could even get sponsorship from the local stations. Another idea would be web-casts of events like the weekly NSFW show or special events like Comic-con. Of course it would also have one of the best wifi networks around and that would be another attraction.

All in all I see it more like a Starbucks vibe with beers, events and food than as a BAR.