How would you structure event nights so BOTH the host and customers actually want to come?
I own a small boba shop in Los Angeles and I want to start hosting community event nights — game nights, singles mixers, card tournaments, workshops, meetups, etc.
I want to create a deal that feels almost too good to pass up, without just discounting everything.
My original idea was:
• No venue rental fee
• Host can charge an entrance fee and keep 100% of it
• We make our money from food & drinks
• Drinks are around $8–$9
But then I started thinking from the CUSTOMER’S perspective.
If an event has a $15 entrance fee and they also have to buy an $8–$9 drink, they’re spending $23–$24 just to attend. I’m not sure that’s attractive enough for a casual community event.
So I’m trying to find a creative win-win-win model:
The host makes money.
The customers feel like they’re getting an amazing deal.
My shop still makes money.
I’m open to things like minimum guarantees, revenue sharing, included drink credits, prizes, bundles, or something completely different.
If you owned a café/boba shop, what “too good to say no” offer would you create to attract BOTH good event hosts and customers?
I’d especially love to hear from café, bar, restaurant, game store, or event-space owners who have done something similar