Starting an illegal "club"?

scottishbastard · 10-26-2009, 04:38 PM

I've been to shows/played shows at tons of LA area clubs, but the best shows have always been at these funky little underground clubs. There were two around at the same time about 2 years ago (zamakibo! and fort cool 2).

Zamakibo! was a small art space in the middle of skid row. You entered through an alley way and it was b.y.o.b. You could drink/smoke on stage while you were playing etc.
Fort Cool 2 was a large art space in south central that three gay punk kids owned. They lived there and held shows..neither of which were santioned.

These shows are always fun as hell. Great enviroment. Anyways, a few friends and I have been thinking of renting a place that we can live and hold shows.

I really dont know the first thing about doing something like this though. I don't know what type of space to look for, what the laws are, zoning issues etc.

Basically once a week I would like to hold a gig from about 8pm to 12am and let people hang out after the shows over for an hour or two.

What am I facing here legally? I don't mind doing it outlaw style, but I don't want to get sued for some kid getting shot in the ghetto, or alcohol poisoning or whatever.

If anyone here has dealt with any of this kind of stuff let me know. We'd like to have it up and running by next summer.

Thx.

Mercury · 10-26-2009, 04:42 PM

gay you put "illegal" in the question.

scottishbastard · 10-26-2009, 04:47 PM

Yeah pretty gay. It shall be illegal. I dont want to go through all the permit b.s.

Willie D · 10-26-2009, 04:49 PM

break da law

scottishbastard · 10-26-2009, 04:52 PM

So I'm guessing you guys don't have the answers I need?

Mercury · 10-26-2009, 04:57 PM

I can do one of two things. Encourage or discourage you. Which do you really want?

Terry · 10-26-2009, 06:07 PM

If it's gonna be a punk club don't even bother

scottishbastard · 10-26-2009, 06:18 PM

Its not going to be a punk club in the way youre probably thinking. I will always be influenced by the whole do it yourself thing, and I still like a lot of the music, but I'm looking to book stuff that spans the field a bit...Folk, ska, noise, dj's etc.

And I dont want to be encouraged or discouraged, I want answers damnit lol. Im trying to find out how to go upon doing this. I'd like to cover some legal ground, but am not going to spend thousands on permits and zoning shit.

herbinator45 · 10-26-2009, 06:30 PM

if you're planning an illegal club why are you concerned with zoning laws?? hahahah
like isn't the whole point of what you're saying opening somewhere where it's not neccessarily meant to be whatever it is?

Grieves · 10-27-2009, 12:29 AM

Your gonna have to make sure you get the best insurance you can, which pretty much legitimizes it and goes against your core principles...But you will be in court or have to settle out of court(i.e. pay off) on the regular...It's best just to hold parties at random changing locals, making people search you out through planned filtered information/directions...

scottishbastard · 10-27-2009, 11:25 AM

Grieves wins. Thx.