What would you want in an anisong club / japanese hangout?

[jigenbakuda]

I just posted this other places and I'd like to know what you guys think about it as well.

I'm thinking about starting a business with a japanese theme. The japanese businesses in my city consist of nothing but japanese steak houses and sushi bars, which I feel DO NOT in the slightest represent the typical japanese person / contemporary japan. So I wish to be the voice of change. It might not be possible for me to realise my dreams, but I want to give it a shot.

To do this I need to see what types of things would people spend their money on. I wanted to do a japanese street food / geek lounge by day and at night throw anisong parties. I'm simplifying, but these are my general thoughts.

What types of things would you like to see in a place like this? What types of food, what kind of songs, or would you just avoid it all together?

Well I'd love to throw anisong parties in the building after regular business hours are over on a saturday or friday. (A couple latin restaurants do this to turn their restaurant into a salsa club on the weekends) I'd play anime music and video game music, but I'd want it to have a lounge feeling, where the music is not super loud, but the music is all good and there are places to sit and talk, or if you are not into that, things to do by yourself as you just chill in the environment. Perhaps magazines to read magazines or manga or photobooks if you are into that sort of thing and watch anime playing on screens and stuff.

When I went to a maid cafe in japan I was surprised at how little of it is actually about the food and more about the decor and the chill factor. You know chilling with the cosplayers chatting them up and just relaxing was what you were really paying the extremely high prices for

I want to have that feel in my place. Just a place you can come and relax in, while surrounded by japanese stuff. I don't want to back myself into an otaku-only corner, I really want to introduce non-japanophiles to a more realistic japan... you know japan is not zen gardens and samurais anymore, so lets see a more modern japan. So it won't be K-on and miku hatsune posters everwhere in the day, but they will be everywhere at the anisong party. Thats my direction. A lot of specifics are up in the air, but thats the general idea.


So as far as food goes I'd like to offer standard junk food you could buy at lawsons or some place like that, mixed with japanese street vendor food. You know honenashi chicken, yakisoba pan, regular yakisoba, oden, various teas (chilled) regular green tea, simple bentou options (rice a meat and a veggie mix), maybe okonomiyaki(if I learn how to make it decently), taiyaki, random stuff on a stick lol(from weiners to spam), etc... nothing gourmet just common stuff regular japanese people eat. I have not thought about all the things I can cook but this is a general idea.

If there is anything that you would like to see in a place like this please mention it. If you think something would be non-sense mention it, just general thoughts and ideas are good.

[RoyMoy]

I'm not a big restaurant/food guy. I'm fine as long as it's healthy. Then again its the tasty stuff that sells...

Where are you setting up? If it's like in a suburban area (like where I live). I'm not sure if it's the kind of place I'd be willing to spend the time to travel to.

Not sure if this is quite the exact same example. But there is this game shop in the city centre. They sell mainly board game type stuff (Dnd, tabletop wargames, etc). It is a very large store with ample space for people to play games. They hold regular events, even ones after hours. I've been to this place a few times. I'd love to go more often. The problem for me is that it is so far away from where I live. However it seems to be fairly old store, so it's been operating successfully for awhile. It seems to me that people go because of the community. The games would have no value unless you have someone else to play with.

[jigenbakuda]

Well its japanese food, so its by default a bit healthier than american food. On another forum guys have suggested some really good items to serve. Things like omurice, onigiri, yakitori, etc... would be neutral in health if not healthy in ways. But I live in jacksonville florida, so the whole city is kinda like a couple suburbs put together. Its a huge city (largest in the continental usa), so no matter where I set up, it will be a long ride for someone. But to be honest not many places I eat at are so good that I'd just drive 45 minutes just to eat their food. If I'm in the area, sure, but just wake up and drive across town, not really. So of course thats something I'm really going to be putting a lot of thought into, where exactly in town will I set up.

But yes the boardgame store you are talking about is exactly the type of community I want to establish. A place that you can go and get good food that hosts events from time to time that is very welcoming to people who want to try something new.

[RoyMoy]

Another thing you might want to think about is I think your business might have to pay some collections society a license or something because playing the music might be considered public performance. Might not be the case for you because of the kind of music being played. Though these collection societies can be pretty pushy, with legal threats and such. Might be something you should at least check on first.

Not much else I can say right now. Sometimes to get good at something, you have to do it a lot...

Oh, I did find where your other thread is BTW. 

Good luck.

[jigenbakuda]

Another thing you might want to think about is I think your business might have to pay some collections society a license or something because playing the music might be considered public performance. Might not be the case for you because of the kind of music being played. Though these collection societies can be pretty pushy, with legal threats and such. Might be something you should at least check on first.

Not much else I can say right now. Sometimes to get good at something, you have to do it a lot...

Oh, I did find where your other thread is BTW. 

Good luck.

Oh yea, I also want to show dramas and stuff on the tv in my place, I'm sure there is licencing for that, also you need a licence to play audio in an establishment. I know there is a lot of legal bs, I intend to research that thoroughly, thanks for the suggestion.

Seeing as the music I want to play isn't sold in america, at least most of it, I'm not really sure how that would work. But to be honest I have no idea what collection societies are, I'll be researching that as well. Don't want to be screwed over by some stupid legal loophole or something I forgot about. I want to play by the rules so no one has a reason to mess with me.

Oh you read my thread on anime suki? They have really helped me with my ideas Just like you have.