Invite Only/BYOB Parties - Viability/Legality

karlkarlson

I've been DJing for years and have set up club nights to some success, but right now I'm just looking to do it occasionally and more for fun than anything since I have a day job. Some mates and I have decided we'd like to set up a monthly (or thereabouts) invite-only, BYOB party with all door donations going to charity each time once expenses are covered. On the face of it, it seems win-win: Give something back to society; have fun doing it; regularly express ongoing urge to play tunes to other people; get my friends all together at regular intervals; give people the opportunity to have relatively cheap night out and avoid paying a fiver plus for a pint.

Since we're all living in Dublin we'd like to start in the vicinity and maybe go to other cities depending how it goes later on. Obviously Facebook is ideal for organising invite parties, but I'm wondering do people here have experience in setting these up, asking for a door donation, and letting people do their own thing with booze?

The main issue for us seems to be the issue of venue/space to host the party. We'd need to rent somewhere suitable that would obviously not be right beside a residential area. We'd be keeping it small, at least to start - maybe 100 people capacity (so friends and friends of friends etc). Anyone have any suggestions on venue/spaces/places we could look into?

I'm also wondering about legality. Does anyone know where the law stands on these things if you keep it private/invite only, have no bar sale, and do not disturb neighbours with loud music?

c - 13

I'm trying to decide if you'd get better answers on the Business/Entrepreneurship or DJing boards I guess we could leave it here for now.

karlkarlson

You might be right - I was trying to decide what the best section was before posting ut on reflection this might not be the best home for it. Perhaps I'd be better served on the DJing boards?

Can you move it or do I need to repost?

c - 13

No problem, moving now.

electrogrimey

Are you planning on going past 2:30/3? If not, you should have no problems once you find somewhere with no noise problems with neighbors! Once you try and get past 3 it gets harder. Good places for this kind of thing are hotel function rooms, or are you looking for an actual club? If you have money it's not too hard to rent a club for a night, places like the Button Factory are generally free once or twice a week, just check when their clubnights are on, any night without anything is usually available to rent.

romarr

dont think there is any problem with it at all ... been loads of it going on of late ! no problems with byob, or money (donations)

space 54 was a favourite but think it closed now ...
been to other gigs in a sofa factory (!) in pimlico
been hearing about T block not sure exactly what they are doing ...

electrogrimey

romarr wrote: »

been hearing about T block not sure exactly what they are doing ...

I know for a fact they won't be hosting stuff like this. Neighbour problems.

Jev/N

There is a law against unlicensed public dancing, regardless of alcohol. The definition of public is tricky, even if it is a ticketed event, it is still technically open to the public AFAIK

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1935/en/act/pub/0002/print.html

Gavin "shels"

romarr wrote: »

been to other gigs in a sofa factory (!) in pimlico

It's not in Pimlico but anywho, what's that like as a venue? Pasted it a few times and always wondered what was happening in a Sofa shop at 11pm.

old gregg

indeed, space 54 was great for this type of event. The only thing I ever noticed was that you'd have to be a little more vigilant about folks taking their drinks outdoors 'cos the boys in blue would be itching to take a look around in case drink was bring sold

1968

There are regular BYOB gigs and DJ nights at Seomra Spraoi, just off Mountjoy Square.

romarr

Gavin shels wrote: »

It's not in Pimlico but anywho, what's that like as a venue? Pasted it a few times and always wondered what was happening in a Sofa shop at 11pm.

right ya are !

its only all right... big long room, sound is ok, only time i've been there it always been a seated affair

was at another once off in the co-op just off cork st, that was a great venue, they had decent stage set up and loads of room for dancing etc great atmosphere there that night - young hearts run free put it on if my memory serves me correctly

ams

these guys ran something similar:

http://www.facebook.com/medusaeventsireland

Wasnt at it myself but the pics on Facebook looked good!

karlkarlson

thanks for all the responses, very helpful

electrogrimey what do you think are the main problems with going past three if there's no drink sold and no neighbours complaining about noise pollution?

anyone else got more information on the places/venues listed or any other suggestions for us?

Conovski

Just wondering what the potential impact of the Licensing of Indoor Events Act 2003 and associated regulations is. From my reading of it it begins to kick in with venues of a capacity of 1500 (irrespective of attendance) where dancing, theatre, concerts etc occur. Can't confirm of course, as legalese is, well, gibberish!

1968

Medusa are running another 'secret' BYOB party on Oct. 15.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Medusa-Events/101499351395#!/event.php?eid=136445653068016&ref=mf

Quiggers

I wouldnt use facebook, its a bit too easy to find,
no1 priority has to be runnig a trouble free event,
if there's a row and gardai arrive you'll be in the sh*t,
the charity bit is a nice idea but a judge will fine the ass off you
if you are put in front of him, easy picking for the budget deficit