When bars and nightclubs closed, it did not take long for owners to innovate by offering virtual clubbing to customers, as a safe alternative to night outs.
The COVID-19 pandemic still rages on in the U.S. and there is no telling for how long bars and clubs will stay closed. Nonetheless, several establishments were quick to pick up the new trend in night clubbing that started out in Berlin. A month after Germany took measures to control the spread of the new coronavirus, about 40 nightlife businesses in Berlin collaborated to offer free techno-clubbing. Not as a way to profit, but mainly to help people endure the restrictions and limitations imposed on social interactions.
Harnessing streaming platforms, Berlin nightclubs continued to hire deejays in order to keep their respective party scene alive. Live videos of deejays playing their techno-tracks began streaming every night, enabling people to experience techno parties in the safety of their home.
L.A. Nightclubs are Now Offering Virtual Clubbing as Nightlife Entertainment
The techno partying trend is now happening in Los Angeles, but in ways that will breathe new life to nightlife business establishments. The Zone for one, is providing a 16-room virtual nightclub venue, featuring real Deejays performing live and streaming in homes using the Zoom video conferencing technology.
Since these L.A. clubs have to hire deejays, videographers and computer savvy staffers to handle the tech support, nightclubs have to earn by offering virtual party-themed packages, complete with bottled-service delivery. Some offers include rentals of virtual reality headsets for those who wish to experience a more sophisticated type of remote clubbing experience. While some virtual clubbers may have to choose the low-budget package, they can simply stock-up on additional drinks by ordering from an online liquor store.
Although liquor brands are already contemplating forming partnerships with virtual club operators, they are still trying to gauge the success of this new approach to offering entertainment. After all, the health and economic conditions in the U.S. is not the same as in Germany, where the spread of COVID-19 has been kept under control and at manageable levels.