Inquiries are picking up. I hosted a lovely wedding reception and a couple or 30th and 40th birthday parties this month. Unfortunately I have had my first two bad experiences with renters who down play their planned activities and got out of control with the drinking and strippers. My business license prohibits adults entertainment of any kind due to location. I have this in my rules. I find the Hosts who drink to be more belligerent and unable or unwilling to control their guests. After assuring me in initial communications that their party will be “low key” “not wild” “just social”. On site when asked to follow rules they say “you knew it was a bachelorette party”. “Fraternity party” or “what did you think when you heard HIp Hop singer”
I have had people as young as 17 try to book a dance and drinking party. I’ve been a host for 5 years and have hosted 100s of parties with great experience and reviews. I see that I have to vet more carefully now. I just had to shut down a party for the first time last night.
No I don’t take any funds off site. I tried for the first time to charge extra for the additional cleaning due to intentional spilling of alcohol on my floor and cup stains on my piano and ping pong table. I was told by Peerspace that since I had already charged $100 for cleaning, they don’t get involved in arbitrary situations like this. I am going to try charging more up front for cleaning with parties serving alcohol (and cake). I spend at least a half a day cleaning after these parties. Spilled drinks, frosting, glitter and confetti are the most time consuming of messes.
My favorite bookings are non alcohol such as productions, recitals and film screenings.
We ran into the same thing in 2019, where the party described to us was not the real party or it got out of hand. For any number over 25 people listed in the event we ask them to visit the loft, interview them and try to follow our best gut instinct. We also dont go past 11 pm here in Chicago, citing Covid and neighbor concerns.
Lastly, we often drop in during the events, or keep any eye on the attendees as they arrive
to keep the head count at the slated people we were told were to attend. I have on occassion block more who wish to enter because its above the head count and we inform the Renter both at the viewing and that day. Renters who right away thank us,… when they arrive… kind of hinting we should leave is 1 signal we look for because if they want us out
there is something amiss. Any Pop Up party I would warn against cause its kids selling 420, which is Illinois is still a crime, while posession is not, but selling is … those POP Up events draw way beyond the original planned attendess count and so anyone who tells me its a PoP Up party, its an automatic No thanks
1 Charge more.
2. Take cash deposits of $500 or more. You’ll see how much nicer they act when you’re holding their money. Peerspace allows these off-site transactions because they realize how necessary a deposit is for event hosts.
3. Have a “walk through” with any potential and, for your purposes, interview the potential to get an idea of their time line.
4. Be on site during the event, present, but in the background. Check in with the booker every 45 or so minutes to see if they need anything but for your purposes see if everything in your venue is cool.
5. Spine: Tell guests no but with the sweetest politeness. In the end, if you have excellent customer service, you can tell people no or to stop without confrontation.
6. Again, take deposits.
7. Check in with the guest two weeks in advance of an event by sending the guest a message on Peerspace, so it’s properly documented, that clarifies the party. Is the guest count still accurate? What vendors will be on site if any? What is the timeline of the event? Etc.
I would say to vet events carefully moving forward. With ABNB cracking down on partying, people will migrate over to Peerspace and there are very loose standards on the platform since it does allow events. Charge a deposit and vet users. Good luck
