Bad call by RNR Hotel

Saw the Features at RNR Hotel last night. Noticed that there was no merchandise stand in the main hall on the first floor where the bands perform. I did notice a sign that said "merchandise table upstairs on second floor."

There were less than 100 people there last night and capacity is likely 300-350. Why not let the bands sell their wares on the main level? I'd imagine merchandise many times are impulse purchases. Bad news for bands who would like to make a buck.

One great thing about RNR Hotel = $4 PBR/Tecate tall boys.

you make a valid point, especially if ticket sales are telling them there will only a 100 people
I would imagine that would be more math than the owners would be willing to do
I think that easily 30-50% drop on merch table purchases…which pretty much is where most bands actually make a buck on the road.

The half full Joanna Gruesome show also featured upstairs merch. It seems to be their new setup.  It gives the band more area to setup their merch.  Also they did get plenty of sales at the show.  It was mobbed after the show and did well between bands.

Place is still the worst in DC and touring bands are finally beginning to realize this.

You paid about $3.50 too much ya no-taste hipster retard.

Thousand wrote:


One great thing about RNR Hotel = $4 PBR/Tecate tall boys.

It's better than the $7 at 9:30.

Fuck off, cunt.

That would be about $6.50 too much. Though perhaps they serve it in nicer glassware.

Thousand wrote:
It's better than the $7 at 9:30.

Fuck off, cunt.

Well, Then

I was there after a show a couple weeks ago and they had the merch table downstairs by the bar right next to the door where you walk in. I guess it depends on what show it is. Maybe they just want to funnel those people upstairs to the rooftop or 2nd floor after the show. I always thought the merch table on the 2nd floor was inconvenient, but people seem more inclined to stay once they see how much more room there is.

They almost always have it on the 2nd floor. Hardly a big deal, really.

Merch on the 2nd floor is a giant pain when they're also having a dance party/DJ night on the 2nd floor.  Sorry, but I don't want to navigate through a field of hipsters just to buy a Cannibal Corpse T-shirt.

showlistdc wrote:
I don't want to navigate through a field of hipsters just to buy a Cannibal Corpse T-shirt.

I think if you're buying a Cannibal Corpse tshirt, you have bigger problems in your life than "hipsters."

No, wait, I don't "think" that, I know it.

Julian, wrote:

showlistdc wrote:
I don't want to navigate through a field of hipsters just to buy a Cannibal Corpse T-shirt.

I think if you're buying a Cannibal Corpse tshirt, you have bigger problems in your life than "hipsters."

No, wait, I don't "think" that, I know it.

pow! kaboom!

StoneTheCrow wrote:
They almost always have it on the 2nd floor. Hardly a big deal, really.

Are you kidding? As I said, merchandise is often an impulse purchase. People aren't going to feel that impulse to buy unless they see merchandise to spur that impulse.

It's really not that difficult.

I guess it is up to the bands to tell the audience that they have merch "upstairs". But yeah sometimes they have it downstairs and sometimes upstairs.

I'd say it's simple.. if the show is sold out, you prob. have to move the merch upstairs. If there are 100 people there, keep it downstairs, no?

showlistdc wrote:
Merch on the 2nd floor is a giant pain when they're also having a dance party/DJ night on the 2nd floor.  Sorry, but I don't want to navigate through a field of hipsters just to buy a Cannibal Corpse T-shirt.

For the most part the DJ nights don't start til after the shows are done. I've DJ'd up there multiple times and the merch table is broken down and gone by 11 at the very VERY latest. Even if the show downstairs is running late.

Also, there's this thing called the internet that has just about all those band shirts.

Thousand wrote:
Are you kidding? As I said, merchandise is often an impulse purchase. People aren't going to feel that impulse to buy unless they see merchandise to spur that impulse.

It's really not that difficult.

So I have to SEE the merch or it won't cross my mind?  Seriously?

Anyone wanting to use the facilities there has to walk up to the 2nd floor. Past the merch table. People going up to the roof deck no doubt see the merch, too. So it's really just the folks who arrive late and stay downstairs that are the issue. Doubt that's a significant part of the auduence.

DeathFromAbove1979 wrote:
Also, there's this thing called the internet that has just about all those band shirts.

call me old school, but I think band shirts should be bought at shows. 

Does a band make more $$ from an onsite merchandise purchase than a website merchandise purchase?

Sidehatch wrote:

DeathFromAbove1979 wrote:
Also, there's this thing called the internet that has just about all those band shirts.

call me old school, but I think band shirts should be bought at shows.