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JOHNNY’S
HIDEAWAY CELEBRATES 37 YEARS OF {NIGHT}LIFE LESSONS
How
One of Atlanta’s Oldest Nightclubs Has Survived
the
Evolution of the City’s Bar Scene
ATLANTA (March 15,
2016) – Johnny’s Hideaway has been guaranteeing good times since 1979, and over the years the
popular dance club and restaurant in Buckhead has raised the bar for Atlanta
nightlife. Many bars in the area have come and gone, but Johnny’s is here to stay
thanks to owner Chris Dauria, who has witnessed and been the catalyst for many
of the legendary nightclub’s changes over its 37-year existence. In honor of the
Hideaway’s anniversary this April, Dauria is spilling some of his most
profitable secrets to success:
·
“It’s a nightclub, not a bright club”
The staff
at Johnny’s Hideaway knows when Dauria is in the building because he’s always
turning down the lights. “The darker it is, the more inviting it is,” says
Dauria. “It makes the men more likely to ask the ladies to dance, and the
ladies more likely to accept the invitation.”
·
“Liquor doesn’t have an expiration
date”
Johnny’s
is known for taking good care of regulars, and many patrons over the years have
preferred some less popular spirits. “We’ve had daytime regulars who always
drank Cutty Sark scotch or Old Grand-Dad bourbon, which we wouldn’t normally
keep stocked but started carrying simply because they are loyal patrons,”
admits Dauria. “No one is ever going to say that Johnny’s has too much liquor
on hand, but they might complain if we don’t.”
·
“Ladies night always works”
“During
slower times, I tried every trick to drum up business – from balloon drops
filled with cash to tropical drink specials,” recalls Dauria. “But Wednesday
ladies night is the only one that stuck, and we still do it today.”
·
“Everyone can drink vodka with
something”
Although
brown liquors such as Jameson Irish Whisky and Fireball have increased in
popularity at Johnny’s in recent years, Dauria has found that all of his
customers tend to have a fallback vodka drink. “If we don’t carry a guest’s
first choice of drink, they usually ask for vodka mixed with something,” Dauria
says.
·
“Sometimes the DJ knows best”
When
Johnny’s first opened, the club played big band and swing music but finally
hired a DJ who really fought with the original owners to bring in more modern songs.
The DJ finally won, introducing disco tunes to the club’s rotation in the 80s,
and sales skyrocketed. Johnny’s continues to use spectacular DJs who keep the
older crowds happy with periodic swing and shag songs while also drawing the
younger crowds to the dance floor with more modern music.
·
“We didn’t reinvent the wheel; we just
have a great staff”
“It gives me nightmares to think about having to replace our best
bartenders, Butch and Harold, who have been with us for more than 30 years,” admits
Dauria. “Our general manager has been here for 15 years, and DJ Jack is a
genius. The consistency that our staff brings is the reason guests always grow
to love Johnny’s.”
Johnny’s Hideaway
is located at 3771 Roswell Road NE in Atlanta. For updates on the restaurant
and upcoming events, follow Johnny’s Hideaway on Instagram and Facebook. For
additional information, call 404-233-8026 or visit johnnyshideaway.com.
###
