Chair Massage & Nightclubs/Lounges: New Market?

[uniquejason]

Anyone here ever thought about and/or provide chair massage in nightclub V.I.P. areas and/or upscale lounges? Not the hole-in-the-wall or the place prone to fighting and rough-housing, but a quality "posh" atmosphere!

It seems to be in demand and it might be a great source of additional marketing/clients/income.

~ACharlton

 

[taken!]

I wouldn't, because I'd assume the clients would be drinking, and that is contraindicated for massage.

 

[Rein]

I put that into total consideration, but with the atmosphere already being supported by security, I think special events (private parties, birthdays, etc.) where massage is an additional service could allow for a disclaimer of some sort that no alcoholic beverages can be consumed prior to/during the massage.

KEEP THE COMMENTS COMING, FOLKS!

~ACharlton

 

[carogator28]

I doubt I would do it -- whatever it's called, it's still a bar. An upscale bar, yes, but I just don't feel like doing massage in a bar. And as far as making contacts -- my experience has been that meeting a new "posh" client more as an equal impresses them more (aka makes them want to be a client) than if they meet me in a situation where, say, I look like an employee of a bar they go to.

Not to be a downer -- sorry!

 

[Susanna]

I actually did some chair work in 4 nightclubs / posh bar settings a year or so ago for a Michelob Ultra launch. Its their low cal, low carb beer so they did kind of a spa setting. They had an oxygen bar set up, 2 chair therapists, and a manicurist. It went over really really well. The people loved it (we were in high end Scottsdale) made great tips and we were there early enough in the night that people weren't plowed (even though they were giving out these free beers). It wasn't like we were doing deep tissue or anything, just 10 min light swedish, so I wasn't worried about contraindications. I think its a great market.

 

[magicbird]

There's a company in Australia that does this Three Minute Angels http://www.3minuteangels.com They basically make most of their money by giving a spiel about some product to the person stuck in the chair http://www.3minuteangels.com/ftproot/3ma%20promotions%20and%20media%20services.pdf You don't need any massage qualifications to work for them, they want your personality. They just have to attend 3 evenings of training, which I suspect is more marketing education than anything else!

 

[GarmRO]

A) people love to get pampered and treated, no matter the setting

B) are you comfortable working in this setting?

Getting a manicure while getting bombed is one thing - I don't think there is a contraindication!

I don't think POSH makes alcohol + massage = OK

 

[maxiumus]

In Central London, England there are a few companies that offer 5 minute head and shoulder massages in pubs and bars. The clients are asked to pay what they think the massage is worth. The "therapist" keeps half the money and has to give the rest to the team leader who goes out with the group of "therapists". I say "therapists" because some to the people who do the treatments are not trained therapists but are given a few hours training. I had an interview with one of these companies as I thought it would be easy money. The guy interviewing me wasn't really interested in the fact that I was a qualified therapist. He was more concerned about my selling skills. I didn't get the job which was cool as I didn't really want it anyway. The thought of working in a noisy and smoky environment plus not being comfortable with massaging someone who had been drinking really didn't appeal to me.
Here's an example of one of the companies operating in England.
http://www.ibizaangels.com/

 

[stacks on deck]

Regarding Ibiza Angels... YUCK!

 

[Naughty Baby]

Interesting opinions!

Someone noted noise and smoke as some turn offs with this idea. I provided chair massage at a kiosk in one of Michigan's malls last summer and the noise was never really a factor for clients, even with teens running around being, well, lol, teens.

Cool beans on adding links about companies that do offer these services though. I wonder how they stay afloat?

~Acharlton

 

[Marykate]

Regarding Ibiza Angels... YUCK!

Well, I don't have to worry about turning them down for a job. Seems you have to be "extremely attractive" to be an "angel."

:roll:

While my hubby thinks I'm beautiful somehow I don't think I'd fulfill their definition.

:

Angie

 

[Palo]

Regarding Ibiza Angels... YUCK!

Well, I don't have to worry about turning them down for a job. Seems you have to be "extremely attractive" to be an "angel."

:roll:

While my hubby thinks I'm beautiful somehow I don't think I'd fulfill their definition.

:

Angie

yeah, it was the constant use of the word "attractive" to describe the "talented" staff that got the yuck factor going for me.

but, i agree with some of the previous posts... i don't feel massage in a bar is a good thing. it's possible that it would be good in a "high-tech happy hour" where people are networking and looking for a job... in my mind they aren't necessarily embibing. of course, i could be completely wrong on that!

 

[Toxicpanduh #2]

Holy Cow!! Someone invented a Hooters style massage business!

Everyone needs to eat, so everyone needs to work. Let me be the devils advocate here. Do you think Perkins, Apple Bee's, Olive Garden, and waitresses from local eateries complain about Hooters waitresses?

What industry hasnt been sexualized? Sex sells beer, soda, cars, sports, food, books, and a ton more. The promise of sexual fullfillment is a strong lure that apeals to our base instincts to reproduce. It is this way for all animals.

I remember recently hearing a story on "Calling All Pets," a radio call in show on PBS. The host was telling of an experiment done with doves. Male doves were repeatedly introduced to sexually receptive female doves. When they introduced the females, they always turned on a red light. After a while, just turning on the red light would excite the male doves.

I recall as a child collecting insects for 4H projects. I remember watching with interest at pinned moths with wings spread with more pins and paper were dying in a chamber filled with some sort of poisonous gas. With thier last bit of strength the female moths would dip their abdomens to lay thier eggs.

Sexual urges are strong and as we all know, clients (especially males) will take great chances to see if we will accomodate thier needs.

 

[thunderator]

Oh good grief. Sexualizing our industry is such a standard "don't," and for such good reasons, that I can hardly believe a massage therapist would even consider such a post. Instinctive attempts by a poor tortured-to-death bug to lay her final eggs don't make the "Angels" OK for our industry.

 

[TerribleTaylor]

Well, believe it and get over it. First and foremost I am human conceived by a sexual act as are 99% of the rest of the world. The world turns, the pattern is repeated, yada yada yada, I have kids, they will have kids, yada yada yada.

I am just stating that sex sells and we all know it to be true as well as why it is true. I really couldnt care less whether you think it is wrong for me to state it as an opinion just because of my chosen profession.

There are other professions which shouldnt have any aspect of sex in them but still it persists. Bosses having affairs with secretaries, presidents getting bjs, priests having affairs, popes having mistresses and children.

Does sex have anything to do with modern professional massage therapy? No. Can I control that in my own practice? Yes. Can I control what my clients think and desire? No. Can I educate the ones who think different? If I so choose to after I tell them to get dressed and get out.

There are still people out there who believe sex and massage go hand in hand so to speak. In our profession we can do two things about this, educate or ignore it. Sure, some of these people are creeps, but on the flip side some of these people are grandmothers.

If you arent educating, you are ignoring it.

 

[Billieann]

I kept meaning to ask AC -- do you have a particular place/gig in mind? Have you approached them with a proposal?

 

[Real Life]

I had a two places in mind but came to the conclusion that I do not want a reputation that can be skewed in our field--there is nothing wrong with those who provide MT services in clubs, but it's not the best fit for me.

Thanxs for the opinions everyone!

~ACharlton

 

[Pompal 09.]

Not quite the point I was making. I was not referring to massage in the orthodox sense - It goes without saying that the quality of the massage should be paramount. What I was trying to say was that in a promotional environment such as the one we're talking about, aethestics are an issue - rightly or wrongly. Companies such as the one I work with have merely identified a gap in the market and are meeting it - with a great product - good-looking girls who deliver a fantastic massage. If they were just pretty, there would really be no longevity to the concept.