a call to arms: "Brace yourself: Beer prices are going up"

[vansmack]

I'm guessing Hutch learned his economic theory from Argentinian newspapers.  I've heard similar ridiculous policy arguments from their officials....

[godsshoeshine]

i'm just bummed hutch hasnt started a thread about lady gaga's wang

[redsock]

Seth's statement on this issue every time anyone's brought it up has been something to the effect of: he's a businessman and will charge as much as we're willing to pay, because he'd be stupid to do otherwise.

And because of the cost, and his reaction, I don't drink at the club anymore. And I don't know too many people who do. I recognize i'm in the minority, but you have to wonder if the minority is having any impact.

I think the "regulars" who see shows frequently at the club fall more in the minority, drinking a beer or less on average. But the "irregulars", people who attend 5 shows a year or less, drop a boat load on alcohol as it is part of the experience. They are the same people who often end up talking their way through an entire show. I usually call them Iota'ers. I'm betting it is the irregulars who make up the difference and keep Seth and co happy. And rich.

[wml7]

yeah I go on benders everytime I see a show there hence my tab being couple g's 

[sweetcell]

I'm betting it is the irregulars who make up the difference and keep Seth and co happy. And rich.

i would have thought it was people like me - who go to a lot of shows AND drink regularly (and, as proven last night @ NIN, occasionally excessively...)

[Julian, Alleged Computer F**kface]

Seth's statement on this issue every time anyone's brought it up has been something to the effect of: he's a businessman and will charge as much as we're willing to pay, because he'd be stupid to do otherwise.

And because of the cost, and his reaction, I don't drink at the club anymore. And I don't know too many people who do. I recognize i'm in the minority, but you have to wonder if the minority is having any impact.

I think the "regulars" who see shows frequently at the club fall more in the minority, drinking a beer or less on average. But the "irregulars", people who attend 5 shows a year or less, drop a boat load on alcohol as it is part of the experience. They are the same people who often end up talking their way through an entire show. I usually call them Iota'ers. I'm betting it is the irregulars who make up the difference and keep Seth and co happy. And rich.

I agree with you, on both counts. I stopped drinking at 930 Club when I was charged $16 for a double Stoli, and I agree that those of us on this messageboard are not indicative of the average 930 Club denizen who becomes an alcoholic every time they attend a concert.

[hutch]

Really the only person with the answer about the exact elasticity of beer consumption at the 930 is Seth/whoever runs concessions... and even they may not know exactly how the market would respond to increasing the price.

BTW, you make my point for me. When the powers-that-be are following through with the increased price model (as the article predicating this thread indicates), gee, there must be something to that. Unless now the person who knows the most about price elasticity isn't beer companies and promoters but they guy who thinks Baltimore venues are propped up by DC residents.

Companies always do the right thing? This is crazy. there are dozens of examples of companies that have made mistakes in pricing. Perhaps Inbev will have more gross sales but that does not mean that the 930 will if they pass on the hike to the consumer. There is a difference. Also, why not look at it the opposite way: what if the 930 reduced beer prices! Might they not sell more beer and make more money (even after paying for the cost)?.. At the recent shows (surely not all) I've been to I've noticed hardly anyone drinking.. Its anecdotal but thats not the way I remember it.

By the way I said that certain shows in Baltimore were propped up by DC residents when these shows weren't an option in DC. I stand by that. I'm sorry you wish to keep distorting...

Look you want to insult and be rude go for it. You're just an asshole on an internet forum.. not the first and not the last.

[hutch]

I'm guessing Hutch learned his economic theory from Argentinian newspapers.  I've heard similar ridiculous policy arguments from their officials....

Gee thanks man.

[chaz]

I agree with you, on both counts. I stopped drinking at 930 Club when I was charged $16 for a double Stoli, and I agree that those of us on this messageboard are not indicative of the average 930 Club denizen who becomes an alcoholic every time they attend a concert.

This reminded me of a Caps game a friend of mine went to last year.  We were getting well hammered and I was waiting in line at one of the liquor stands.  I offered to pick up the next round and my friend ran to can while I waited in the line.  I ordered two double vokas  and they told me I couldn't get that many by myself..but just then my friend came back so the lady served them up and and said "that will be $32" (and bet your ass they weren't serving Stoli).  My jaw nearly hit the ground..luckily my bud kindly intervened and pitched in on the drinks with me.

Hockey games may not be quite as much fun next year when i'm not pounding beers the whole time, but it will sure be less expensive.  Or maybe I'll be able to concentrate on the game more and enjoy it even more.  Who knows.  One thing is for sure - substances hate me, so I'm counting on all of you to drink an extra one for me.

[Julian, Alleged Computer F**kface]

I agree with you, on both counts. I stopped drinking at 930 Club when I was charged $16 for a double Stoli, and I agree that those of us on this messageboard are not indicative of the average 930 Club denizen who becomes an alcoholic every time they attend a concert.

This reminded me of a Caps game a friend of mine went to last year.  We were getting well hammered and I was waiting in line at one of the liquor stands.  I offered to pick up the next round and my friend ran to can while I waited in the line.  I ordered two double vokas  and they told me I couldn't get that many by myself..but just then my friend came back so the lady served them up and and said "that will be $32" (and bet your ass they weren't serving Stoli).  My jaw nearly hit the ground..luckily my bud kindly intervened and pitched in on the drinks with me.

That's wild.

I'm a reasonable guy, I understand they have to make money on the liquor sales, but those prices were just too much. If it was Jean Marc XO or maybe even Grey Goose, then OK at $8/per. But Stoli? On the vodka cost scale, it's in the lower half. In Virginia, a fifth of Stoli is $20, and we're expensive because we have a mandatory 20% liquor tax built-in to our prices. So in DC (which is typically less for liquor anyay), I'm going to guess about $16-17 for a fifth of Stoli? Does that sound right to anyone? Charging me the fifth price for a double cocktail of it? Insane.

I will give them, as Econo pointed out when I first posted this, that to the club's credit, it was a true "double" and fairly strong. Just not $16 strong.

[godsshoeshine]

double jack and cokes are $14 at my local bar. and i live in the burbs

[hutch]

You know its funny that everyone writing that the price of alcohol at the 930 continuing to go up will only increase revenue (for the 930) to add that they've stopped buying alcohol at the 930 because of the high prices; but of course OTHER people are all continuing to drink the same amount regardless of price!

I guess I'm here to say that I buy less alcohol at the 930 and I'm not so sure from what I see that others aren't spending less..

Moreover, I actually have numbers of many venues that have seen concession sales go down and I don't see increasing the price helping out. I don't believe that increasing beer prices by a dollar at the 930 in the current environment will result in more profit for the 930. I could be wrong though...

Lets wait and see though.. if Julian is correct- and some of the other posters- we should imminently see beer prices go up at the 930 because since InBev is raising its prices and the average consumer at the 930 doesn't mind it would be stupid not to raise beer prices that "marginal" dollar no one cares about.... In fact many have written that very soon we will have to pay $10 for a yuengling at the 930. I dont' belive that will happen any time soon barring an unprecedented inflationary spike...Then all bets are off..

[vansmack]

I rarely pay for drinks.  I'm that charming....

[walkonby]

you beat me to it sweet . . . but this is one of favs:

[walkonby]

i'm just bummed hutch hasnt started a thread about lady gaga's wang