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Intensity
Account closed
Registered: May 2002
Posts: 337 |
Café Gheymaid (Café/Bar)
Hello to everyone!
I am planning to open a Café/Bar called "Gheymaid (Inc.)" - no joke! :D
But i need ideas.
Gheymaid Inc. is about C64, Coffee, Beer, Gheys, Twinks, Love, Retro Style and Ambient/Elektroclash/House Music. (Of course it should not be a Gay-Bar, but well something with a female happy touch maybe ROTFL :D) We have now a PC section, beside the C64 one, and soon maybe an Amiga section by the way, everyone is working on the trackmo that will be released at x2008, god willing (The music collection is planned for Spring 2008).
Anyways, how would you imagine a Café/Bar in Retro Style supporting terms like C64, Coffee, Beer, Gheys, Twinks, Love, Retro Style and Ambient/Elektroclash/House Music etc.?
Do you think such a café would be successfull, will it have any visitors? What has the bar to contain, how should I style it to have much visitors in your opinion?
Where would you place it? Rather in the inner city? How large it should be?
How could I implement SID and C64 and the movie Coffee & Cigarettes by Jim Jarmusch, or at least topic-similar elements into the café? First I thought about Chillout/Ambient/House, at least calming and café/bar-enganged SIDs and scene-music to be played.
Please give me every idea you have for maybe the first Commodore-Styled Café/Bar ever! :D
Last and important question: Would anyone around Frankfurt/Mainz/Hessen/Rhein-Main-Gebiet in Germany support me with this? Most Gheymaid members live outside germany, thats why i ask, otherwise i would have got help from *them*.
So shoot please and thanks in advance.
If ever, the café&bar will be opened in Frankfurt, Mainz Wiesbaden, while I would prefer Wiesbaden as it is my home city or Frankfurt am Main as it's a popular big city (maybe i could arrange something in the airport)
Love,
Arman
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SIDWAVE
Account closed
Registered: Apr 2002
Posts: 2238 |
I think the name will only attract female customers. I don't know... setting up a business is hard work! and you gotta pay the rent for store from day 1! |
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Intensity
Account closed
Registered: May 2002
Posts: 337 |
Well, female customers and freaks i guess :) since the is GHEY-Maid and not GAY MAID :) everyone will get interested about what ghey means and find it funny :)
With "female happy touch" i rather meant something sympathically and aesthetic when it comes to the interior design :) |
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Oswald
Registered: Apr 2002
Posts: 5086 |
at the 2nd part of reading I thought you're looking for ideas for a cafe gheymaid designed demo, then I thought maybe you're serious tho :D
I think its a very good idea, but you should focus on a wider audience than c64/pc/amiga demoscene, some kind of retro gaming/computing (demoing) bar, and even with that the targeted audience is smaller than at a 'normal' bar, but it might bing in crowds tho. maybe try to do some research if the market is really out there (frankfurt?) |
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Oswald
Registered: Apr 2002
Posts: 5086 |
ideas: naturally all kind of retro items as decoration, cash machine in C= pet housing fex, pixellated art on the walls, a big display showing old games/demos/etc. dont play sid music, non c64 people wont like it. also I wouldnt prefer the general 70's 80's design, make it 2007 just spice it up heavily with c=/retro stuff. also dont overdo it, dont forget that ppl goes to bars to drink, and to talk, and have fun with other ppl, the rest is just an outfit :) |
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SIDWAVE
Account closed
Registered: Apr 2002
Posts: 2238 |
My cousins husband, is 2 times world champion in coffee. He runs a coffee shop in Copenhagen. His name is Fritz! :) |
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macx
Registered: Mar 2002
Posts: 254 |
I've got the brains and you've got the looks. Let's make lots of money!
Of course it is plenty hard work, but if you've got the entrepreneur in you, the needed spirit is not hard to find. What Oswald said, without overdoing it. The dirty 80s look (you may still smoke in pubs&bars in .de, right?), with some data + 80s-film nostalgia, and not only the kind of music you mentioned would definitely be a place where I would hang out if I had an hour off in a boring airport. And I assume loads of well off businessmen would do the same.
And although it should be the fab decade, with its dirty looks, it should not be too plottery and stuff-crowded. I believe the geezers wanting this kind of place prefer minimalism today. The small (sublime) hints whilst enjoying the most fantastic espresso, a sunny drink (remember the contrasts!) or a good brew makes these people return every time, and may even make them come early to the airport ("in order to be sure, with these terrorists and all").
Outside the airport, in le downtown, I dunno though. Perhaps at or in direct relation a big trainstation would also do. |
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ready.
Registered: Feb 2003
Posts: 441 |
mmh, I would use a projector to show demos running all time throughout the day and night.
Then if you need help for the lights my family is a specialist in this field. Look at: http://www.cegtrieste.it/lavori.htm
these are some of the works already completed.
Ready. |
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HCL
Registered: Feb 2003
Posts: 727 |
Cool idea. I think playing SID-remixes in the backgroud would not be a problem for average people, at least not if they are having softer sounds, and if you vary with normal music as well. Pixel-gfx on the walls is a must, and it really doesn't have to look old-stylish. Ppixels are not out of fashion at all! :) |
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Cruzer
Registered: Dec 2001
Posts: 1048 |
A bar only for gay C64 sceners. Yeah, sounds like a winning business model :)
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SIDWAVE
Account closed
Registered: Apr 2002
Posts: 2238 |
I'd say go for it!
You can only fuck up, and then, what is really the problem!?
It could also become a rapid success!
Take the chance!
If the concept takes off, I am your new manager in Odense.dk shop! |
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Sander
Registered: Jan 2002
Posts: 493 |
Glad someone brings up the word 'businessmodel'..
Sorry to bring this one up, but I'm afraid you're building sandcastles, arman.
So here's the crucial question: Do you have investors or have the money to finance your idea? If not, you'd need a businessmodel to convince the bank or investors. |
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bugjam
Registered: Apr 2003
Posts: 2583 |
@macx: Smoking was just recently banned from bars and restaurants in Hassia, and will be banned all over Germany with the start of ´08. :-/ |
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macx
Registered: Mar 2002
Posts: 254 |
Skip all the SID and c64 ideas, they are everything but primary. Stick to the 80s retro and perhaps put up a breadbin somewhere. |
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Intensity
Account closed
Registered: May 2002
Posts: 337 |
Thanks a lot for your kind and neat hints guys, please go on with it, i need more.
@sander : Well, surely i am building on sand castles as i have no clue about opening a café. But since i am a regular visitor of such etablissements and can think about gheymaid inc. café as a freaky students café, it might be a cool idea. How do all the other café-owners do it? They work, they collect money and there you go. The thing is just that i have my only financial root is a label contract and some help from the state. But i am sure that after starting to work i can collect enough money in some years to open such a buisness.
I have to ask also in other forums, but the idea of retro/gaming etc. is nice.
I have read once in a magazine about a café somewhere with a seprate room full of arcade game boxes.
Let's see.
Until then shoot some onions, ehh opinions please :D |
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Steppe
Registered: Jan 2002
Posts: 1510 |
Agree with macx, focus on a general retro theme if you want a broader audience. And don't project demos on a bigscreen, it ruins every conversation. I've been to a bar a couple of times where they show life concerts on a bigscreen. It always distracts your view and can really ruin a good conversation, I don't go there anymore just because of that stupid projector (as nice as it would be without it...).
The occasional C64 remix I think is ok, but don't overdo. People not used to that kind of music usually react kinda strange. Openmindedness isn't quite an inherent ability of humans, you know. |
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HCL
Registered: Feb 2003
Posts: 727 |
Hehe, the average bunch of CSDb visitors is truly a solid reference to lean back on when it comes to running a café business ;). Maybe you should try talking to someone else also, before any investments.. |
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bugjam
Registered: Apr 2003
Posts: 2583 |
First investment should be this one: http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3544&item.. . :-)
It´s still up for grabs! |
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ready.
Registered: Feb 2003
Posts: 441 |
Yes, I agree with Steppe, even if I suggested the projector thing. Actually what I had in mind was to have special evenings with a dedicated theme: be it C64 demos or videos from the '80s or whatever the theme would be for that evening. Not every evening, but from time too time. |
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Intensity
Account closed
Registered: May 2002
Posts: 337 |
Steppe: Did the projector had the mentioned café had any sound? I mean I could show demos without sound and play regular scene/SID chillout sound as main music with a cd player.
But hey, I wonder where that café is, where I have read about in a magazine, damn. Was at the dentist and read about it, there i get the best ideas :D
Would you visit a bar at the evening and play some cool pac man, space invaders, street fighter 2 etc. later on after a drink? :D
Would be freaky :D
Damn, I just HAVE to realize that! :D
Give me like 666 years, until the Antichrist has come and gone, maybe there won't be any money anymore, then well, i can set up the café for free :D unfortunatley I have to say bye to everyone in csdb for that time decase, as I have to cut and freeze my head or something :D
I am talking shite again, well, uhm, greetings to Linus and Krill :D I am off.. :D
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hollowman
Registered: Dec 2001
Posts: 474 |
dubmood/razor along with some other had an internet café in Gothenburg with cows and other nice paintings. But from what I've heard they got tired of working all the time without getting much out of it.
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WVL
Registered: Mar 2002
Posts: 899 |
cow painting rules! :D
That would be soooo cool to have :) |
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macx
Registered: Mar 2002
Posts: 254 |
Quote: Thanks a lot for your kind and neat hints guys, please go on with it, i need more.
@sander : Well, surely i am building on sand castles as i have no clue about opening a café. But since i am a regular visitor of such etablissements and can think about gheymaid inc. café as a freaky students café, it might be a cool idea. How do all the other café-owners do it? They work, they collect money and there you go. The thing is just that i have my only financial root is a label contract and some help from the state. But i am sure that after starting to work i can collect enough money in some years to open such a buisness.
I have to ask also in other forums, but the idea of retro/gaming etc. is nice.
I have read once in a magazine about a café somewhere with a seprate room full of arcade game boxes.
Let's see.
Until then shoot some onions, ehh opinions please :D
No. Your audience is NOT students, but rather people in their 30s. |
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Oswald
Registered: Apr 2002
Posts: 5086 |
btw dont forget to install flashy touch sensitive tables :D |
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chancer
Registered: Apr 2003
Posts: 346 |
years ago when i was in my teens there was a chip shop... had 5 arcade machines.. the food was awful, I think he made the money from the arcade machines.. Times have changed, too many net cafe's etc.. mame etc.
someone already said about the late 20's + market.. as most people, well are into pc , call of duty etc and going around calling each other "noob" etc.. u know the sorta people. Some people want to play games, and thats their extent to computing, not even watching demos.
resturants / food business is a tricky one ,a lot go out of business within their first year.Locally where I am in London, every second shop is a take away or an estate agent. It's not so good in that respect.
As for the smoking ban, well places here have beer gardens etc or people go outside.
I think if you did themed nights, not specifically c64 some of the time.. more general 8 / 16 bit and consoles etc. even have gaming competitions on old school games. say maybe once a week or month, on the most boring night of the week, say mid week..
tap into the whole retro thing, but well do it as say themed nights and a more low key side of it in the day.
where food places make real money is booze, the mark up on it is crazy, but booze is better money. Food also, thats why so many chinese/indian people do that, a lot of the dishs cost nothing to make, but mark up is like 70-80% on them. In indian resturants, they offer 120 different dishes.. BUT they originate from only 6 different sauces , but with variations..
or better still get Jeff to make some pizza's ;-)
It's not the best area to go into, and location is key to where you set up =)
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Conrad
Registered: Nov 2006
Posts: 847 |
I'm mainly curious what age group this kind of cafe will attract the most. Like chancer said, most young people of today (not all but a high ratio) are brought up only on games and never consider what a demo is, whether 8-bit or not. I sometimes feel a bit lonely because all my friends of the same agegroup were brought up on Gameboys and Megadrives - which later instinctly turned them into WOW/CS/UT/"whatever the fuck game will come out next.." gamers for life - I would feel like an idiot if I mention "demo" or even "Commodore 64" to them.
This idea of yours Arman, may probably be ONE of the main keys for keeping the 8-bit scene alive for a lot of years to come, if you really mean it that is. |
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Intensity
Account closed
Registered: May 2002
Posts: 337 |
Well, a catcher for the café would be the so called "Gheymaid Flavour" I offer very often in the IRC.
Under Gheymaid Flavour I understand Siroups, MIlk Liquids Powders etc. from Coffee Mate, Monin and others. Some are american and make your coffee or tea taste very freaky.
In all, I would serve very freaky and colourful drinks for the audience, beside that there is also regular drinks available of course. Siroups for coffee is nothing new, but COFFEE MATE and other american stuff not available here in germany, weeeee. :)
Either I thought about an internet-café, that would be more realistic, or a true café, maybe to combine both, if thats not again one of my frigging ideas.
There are lotsa internet cafés around, most ppl have internet at home already, so no need, i think i will cut that idea.
You still know Back To The Future Part II, when Marty McFly went in 2015 in that 80's café? :D
Something like this, just cooooler :D
Well, I have to be realistic about all that. And think over.
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Intensity
Account closed
Registered: May 2002
Posts: 337 |
BTW, with a retro/demoscene/gaming café/gheymaid flavour etc. i will rather attract the younger persons from 15-25 or older persons who are still interested in such shite.
The problem is, that macx is right, the most ppl visiting such a café are around 30, because they have money and are mostly out of their club-visiting timedecade and wanna both go out and rest. |
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HCL
Registered: Feb 2003
Posts: 727 |
Me + whife have our favourite café we hang out on every now and then. I remember many times i get inspired by the music they play, which makes me think of demos. It's kinda annoying at the same time, cause I just want to leave right away and start coding! But i can't.. Should really go there with my laptop some day and freakout with vice+etc, but you know.. it never happens :(.
I would love such a freaky café that you're talking about, but i'm not sure there are enough loonies like me to make it profitable. |
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enthusi
Registered: May 2004
Posts: 677 |
Hm...
Living in a main city (hamburg) I was used to going to cafe houses. However there are quite many of those there nowadays. All copies of Starbuck's & Co.
The very main reasons for me NOT going there are:
freakin expensive. As a normal person you can hardly afford to drink a relaxing coffee on a regular basis. That leads to the 2nd reason: mostly stupid snobs there :)
I think a cafe would be something NEW if it were really 'cheap'. Downside: you want to make money or at least not lose all yours I suppose. So maybe have some sort of do-it-yourself-attitude in your etablishment.
There would still be potentially high rent to pay though. But less need for expensice coffee-machines or personal.
Just my idea. GOOD LUCK |
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Conrad
Registered: Nov 2006
Posts: 847 |
Quote:You still know Back To The Future Part II, when Marty McFly went in 2015 in that 80's café? :D
"...You mean you have to watch with your eyes?? That's like a baby's toy!!..." ;-) |
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Soren
Registered: Dec 2001
Posts: 547 |
Good luck with that projekt, Arman... Hope you will enjoy working 12 hours a day and in weekends aswell :-)
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chancer
Registered: Apr 2003
Posts: 346 |
Quote: Good luck with that projekt, Arman... Hope you will enjoy working 12 hours a day and in weekends aswell :-)
12 hours? .. try more 14-18 .. :/
but with the market is full of major names in coffee, same with take aways etc.. its very errm over populated sort of business |
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Intensity
Account closed
Registered: May 2002
Posts: 337 |
14 hours a day? 18? why not 24? Forget sleep, thats for n00bs!
Gosh.
Hell, for what are workers there ? :) |
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T.M.R
Account closed
Registered: Dec 2001
Posts: 749 |
Quote: 14 hours a day? 18? why not 24? Forget sleep, thats for n00bs!
Gosh.
Hell, for what are workers there ? :)
You're probably talking at least an eleven hour opening time to match the other players in the same market (9am to 8pm) over six or possibly seven days with an hour on top each time to till up. Add to that the time needed to do the accounts (and it's best, i was once told but a former employer who was also an accountan, to do that as frequently as possible) and you're not going to have much of a social life left for at least the first couple of years.
And your staff are there to sell people stuff, the rest is down to you. |
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Graham
Account closed
Registered: Dec 2002
Posts: 990 |
Quote: 14 hours a day? 18? why not 24? Forget sleep, thats for n00bs!
Gosh.
Hell, for what are workers there ? :)
Actually here in Hamburg there are bars which are open 24/7. |
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Dane
Account closed
Registered: May 2002
Posts: 421 |
Add to that the enormous amount of coffee you have to sell to keep people awake during Krestology.
And ah I forgot to mention, the ridiculous pricing you will need to afford to pay me HUMONGOUS COPYRIGHT MONEY if you want to play sid-tunes at your café. :)
I wouldn't advice on starting up a business like this but for someone with an existing coffee shop Macx outlined some good ideas on how to theme it. |
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noone_at_all
Account closed
Registered: Jul 2004
Posts: 3 |
wow. i think this is my 1st time post in here.
so howdy all!!1one
In the german c64forum there was a long discussion going on about where to meet in the rhainmain area (with yet no reslut, sry result). see http://www.forum64.de/wbb2/thread.php?threadid=18356
So. i guess a retrostyle (computer-)bar/café would fit _perfect_ here.
/me would <3 some pinball
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Intensity
Account closed
Registered: May 2002
Posts: 337 |
@nooone:
MANY MANY THANKS FOR THAT LINK DUDE!!!!
Finally it makes sense to think further, I rather thought i had to close this case :D
BTW, Thanks to all for your useful help mates :D
Don't forget to pinch my ass at the café and give me a tip, whe in should serve you with coffee or beer one time :D |
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Linus
Registered: Jun 2004
Posts: 639 |
Feel free to practice your beer serving skills at X'2008 :) |
