Complete results of an online survey on the "Ladies Night Out" concept for a social event targeting gay and gay-friendly women in Southeastern Wisconsin

1. Results: Online Survey
on ‘Ladies Night Out’ concept
Conducted November 7-20, 2011
Distributed primarily via e-mailing lists
of Out to Brunch Milwaukee and Wander Womyn

2. The tentative name of this event is Ladies Night Out. How do you feel about that
name? 1.

3. 2. The tentative plan is to hold this on the first Friday of every month. Do you
see any drawbacks to that idea?
1 First Friday is often filled with many other events. What about the second Friday?
2 Good night but Guerilla gay bar night in Milwaukee is the first Friday of every
month...something to think about
3 no
4 No
5 No.
6 No
7 No.
8 no
9 no
10 NO
11 Good choice.
12 Think this through...The more often you have them the fewer women you may get.
The attitude being...I can go next month. Make Ladies Night Out special. don't rush to
make it a monthly event. Make this first dance a blast! You want your attendees to
walk away wanting more and telling everyone about it
13 No, especially considering that it will start early.
14 no, Maybe have it twice a month if this goes well.
15 No
16 No
Continued

4. 2. The tentative plan is to hold this on the first Friday of every month. Do you
see any drawbacks to that idea?
17 Good Idea
18 no 19 isn't this same night at MAM events?
20 Sounds good but Fridays are always hard for people with late hours.
21 Not at the moment..
22 no
23 Start time would be better at 7 pm for those working.
24 Friday's are hard for a lot of people because it's the end of a long work week and
Friday night seems to be the "kick back" night. However since Hot Water seems to deal
with the gay community on Friday's, it's as good as any.
25 no
26 No
27 None.
28 no
29 not really, just Wisconsin winters
30 no
31 no
32 That would be the same night as Gorrilla Gay Bar.
33 No.
34 Yes for second shifters.
35 1st Thursday is LGBT film fest, but not everyone does that and a party every night is
not that bad!
36 nope

5. 3. The proposed timing is 5 p.m. until close, with the DJ starting at 6. What are
your thoughts on this?
1 Sounds good, at least through the winter months. Maybe once May arrives, the time
could be changed to something a bit later.
2 Good time. Fits early and later outings
3 How bout 7?...not even out work at 5:00.
4 Maybe a little early- I work until 5p. But I like the idea of earlier start time.
5 Sounds good for this old broad!
6 That's a great idea
7 That's perfect.
8 I am thinking that around 6 that I am thinking about eating not dancing. I would think
about dancing about 7:30 or 8.
9 sounds good
10 That's a little early. After dinner drinks at 6. Music at 7.
11 LOVE IT
12 Like the times. Is there food available to make this an after-work dinner/drinks/dancing
evening?
13 Love the timing if this is a cash bar. If not a cash bar...could be expensive.
14 Great
15 I like the early start. I would like to have a quiet area for people to sit and talk if they
don't dance.
16 A little early but good for women coming after work.
17 Timing at 6 whith DJ starting at 7. Need to allow some time for those who get off of
work at 5, go home, change cloths, and arrive.
18 It's a bit early.
19 sounds good. I wouldn't get there till 6 anyway. Continued

6. 3. (Continued) The proposed timing is 5 p.m. until close, with the DJ starting at 6.
What are your thoughts on this?
20 Helps to come right from work, will this include a happy hour?
21 Very good
22 I think the DJ should start at 7 p.m.
23 I think 5pm is a little early - 6:30 or 7pm would work best for those of us who have to
work, go home, shower and change our clothes before we go out.
24 See above.
25 Starting later doesn't bother me. I probably wouldn't come until 8 or 9 anyway. It
would be ideal for women who work down town and live out in the suburbs. They might
come for happy hour for a couple of cocktails and then go home. Its worth a try. 2
26 sounds good
27 Sounds good.
28 Could be a little later otherwise you might get two "shifts" of people like you currently
do at Monas. There is a shift in clientele at 9 p.m. I think starting at 7 with light dinner
and/or appetizers and dance at 8 p.m.
29 perfect!
30 I think you should start at 6pm unless you are offering food
31 Excellent!!!!
32 sounds great
33 On a Friday, this time to me is good -- pretty wiped out after the work week so early is
good.
34 If I came regularly after work I would like it.
35 Good.
36 QST, if oyu say 5pm, people wills tart coming at 6pm.
37 I work util 5. I'll get there when I can.

7. 4. Which logo do you prefer, if any, and why? (Sorry for the small size. The survey
software won't let us go bigger.)
1If we go with the suggested name/title, the third option feels best. (Why would anyone
want to be called a Lady?)
2 2nd 1st....too cutsie 3rd....fine..i get it i'm Out.
3 First one. No particular reason, it just caught my eye.
4 #3
5 This one looks a little more sassy, the others are a little too grannyish
6 #2. Need a better color though.
7 The top one
8 first, on top
9 First one
10 TOP
11 first one.
12 Top one
13the 3rd one. It definitely has to say OUT in the logo.
14 Middle one.
15 Middle is preferred
16 Ladies'Night
17 top one
Continued

8. 4. (Continued) Which logo do you prefer, if any, and why? (Sorry for the small
size. The survey software won't let us go bigger.)
18I prefer the circle and the font in the middle box.
19 The first
20 I like the middle logo.
21 1st and 2nd
22 top one. it's legible, the font is fun, friendly, not over bearing, and of course the oval
is very female as opposed to the square (male)
23 the first one
24 The top one
25 The bottom one.
26 #1
27 2nd one
28 the first one
29 #3 but i don't consider myself a lady
I like womyn much better
30 the top logo
31 2nd one
32 the first one without the word ladies.
33 1

9. Ladies Night: Do you think we should position this as being for "women of a certain
age"?

10. Ladies Night: Which of the following blends of dance music do you prefer?

11. 7. Having the right music will be key to this event's success. What kind of music
do you like to dance to? Feel free to name songs and artists as examples.
1 Adele, Bonnie Raitt, Joni Mitchell, K.D. Lange, The Pretenders, Beatles, Ella
Fitzgerald, Tina Turner, Tracy Chapman, Holly Near, Donavan, Cat Stevens
2 Love new dance and techno. Mixing it with 80s and 90s pop would be good also.
3 I'm into to pop, unfortunately, 97.3, 99.1 or 103.7....I also like gregorian chants but to
dance the latest hits.
4 Rock
5 60"s, 70's, 80's.... Anne Murray
6 Trance, hip hop (not rap), some country like k.d. lang, reggae
7 Anything with a great beat (i.e. country, blues, neo-soul, pop, r&b, soul, etc.).
8 easy beats to dance to, 10 minute techno pounding in my head gets a little boring
after a while.
9 1980/1990
10 Disco and soft rock. Also some good slow songs
11 60's 70's 80's, motown, madonna, katy perry
12 If you position it for women 40+, then the music has to fit.
13 Anything with a good beat and extended versions of songs.
14 Disco, pre-hip hop, top forty 50's 60's 70's. NO HOP-HOP
15 A good mix of 80's, 90's dance music along with music of today.
16 Enjoy a variety
17 No suggestions
18 1. slow dances 2. current pop
Continued

12. 7. Having the right music will be key to this event's success. What kind of music
do you like to dance to? Feel free to name songs and artists as examples.
19 easier to say what I don't dance to... no country no techno/rap no line dancing
20 70,80,90's music
21 I like the '70's disco, old Motown & 80's Dance club music, as well as current music by Usher,
Akon, Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga, Pink, Madonna (old & new), etc. Like the saying goes, "if it's got a
good beat, I can dance to it!"
22 pop, rock, country-western, blues.
23 Love disco and 80's.
24 any good dance music with a beat; motown, house music, hip hop, blues, some women like to
Polka (a couple are tolerable) a lot of women seem to like the group dance thing like the electric slide.
Having women write down before hand and give to DJ is a good idea so there aren't any complaints.
25 country or anything fast just not rap26 Classic Rock
27 Anything fast paced and current. Occasional current slow songs are good to give people an option.
28 anything but country!......but i know many of my "sisters" appreciate it, so as long as there is a lot
of variety, i will be happy! :)
29 a good mix it should vary by the crowd
30 Queen, Beatles, Journey
31 motown, soul music rock
32 Oldies -- 60's and 70's
33 Actually, I like ballroom. I can live with 80s rock, 80s country and 80s disco.
34 70's
35 Salsa, latin music with a beat
36 If I can dance to it, it's good

13. 9. We plan to offer a limited menu of light dinner items and appetizers for
women coming directly from work. Any suggestions on the type of
food you'd like to see offered?
1.Sounds like a nice option. I think a variety would be great.
2 french fries, pizza slices
3 Anything light
4 Some vegetarian and/or vegan options
5 Please offer a variety of food, (low fat/carb for the dieters, burgers/fries,
chocolate & carmel flavored desserts, etc.)
7 nothing so fattening
8 chicken tenders, chips and guac, pizza, standard sandwiches/burgers, fries
or chips, spicy southwestern wraps
9 Meat free Salads, hummus, bread/pita, veggies, chips and salsa,
guacamole.
10 Sliders, non messy finger foods. dips and chips,
11 Nothing specific
12 Healthy foods
13 grazing
14 sliders crab cakes peel & eat shrimp veggies of any sort
15 Not interested
Continued

14. 9. We plan to offer a limited menu of light dinner items and appetizers for
women coming directly from work. Any suggestions on the type of food
you'd like to see offered?
16 I'd like to see a few healthy items - like maybe a grilled veggie plate, pita &
hummus, seared ahi tuna, grilled salmon, etc. - along with the more traditional
'bar food' offerings.
17 Appetizers
18 Just make sure there are healthy choices not just fried stuff. Salsa, guac,
pot stickers, artichoke dip, things of variety.
19 nachos, vege plate, pizza, whatever you offer they will buy it
20 just finger foods
21 Not a lot of friend foods. Burgers or hot appetizers would be good. I
personally don't like the idea of serving food. I think we need a place that
focuses on dancing, that would make this place stand out from other "bars" or
"night clubs"
22 mozzarella sticks, potato skins, sweet potato fries, etc...simple stuff, but
enough to fuel the body
23 small but hearty, cocktail meatballs or mini subs or sliced pizza, wings
24 nachos, burgers
25 something gluten free would be great for me 26 no suggestions
27 Veggie options and fish or chicken. Try to make it as healthy as possible.
28 veggi's, garlic cheese bread, pizza

15. Ladies Night: How do you feel about this idea overall?

16. 11. Care to expand on that?
1 I think this could be a new opening for Milwaukee women to step out into something fun.
2 I have been to Hot Water a few times. Nice place but really did not like the salsa night and lessons.
I go to a club to hear dance music. Modern stuff. I hope to hear more on this idea : )
3 45 and single after 22 yrs w/woman so a little nervous about entire scene. Maybe odd support
group before hand or erotic book club...hmmm..or poetry reading....open to it all...team up with broad
vocabulary (not sure if that's the name...)
4 I'm looking for a place to meet other gay women.
5 Dancing is great though I'm not a great dancer. I need to move more. This would be fun.
6 Some of us work early on the weekends and it would be great to be able to go out on a Friday night
like most people do to meet new people.
7 No thank you.
8 Number 6/ primarily this event will be advertised in the gay community. If I had a straight friend that
wanted to come why not, should I be excluded from a straight bar. Are we going to have people take a
test to see if they are gay? A women questioning her sexuality might want to come, do we want to
deter her search?
9 I think it really would be a grat idea - something Milwaukee needs.
10 Hopefully gay women will support this. Always starts out big and then falters from lack of interest.
Need to find a way to reach women who do not go out. Denver does this on the first Fri. And it is a
smashing success. When I visit out there I always make a point of getting there for this event. Need to
find a way to get the word out there. Word of mouth just doesn't do it. There are a lot of closeted
women in this city would be nice to give the someplace to go. Good luck.
Continued

17. 11. Care to expand on that?
11. Sounds like a great idea. The more people I know who will be attending, the more likely I will attend.
12 I love the idea...just think through each one of the above questions. Your basic premise is getting gay women out of
the house to dance. If so, position it for gay women. Straight women may want to bring their hubbies, boyfriends...Be
careful with food. Lots of overhead if you cook to order. Go with a caterer. You are going about this very methodically,
seem to be organized and have a special passion. Good luck!
13 It is hard to meet women for friendship and fun and not have to go out super late. Great idea. I wanted to answer
yes to positioning it for women of a certain age, but also see the need to not exclude younger women, however, I do
think we should give it a go positioning just for gay women and see how that goes over, before moving to 'gay friendly'.
There are plenty of other places that are 'gay friendly' that they can go to.
14 There aren't many places for gay women to meet and dance with early start times.
15 There is a definite need for this in the community.
16 There is a great shortage of places for women's over 40 to get together with one another...this sounds FUN.
17 Love It Love It Great Idea. can't wait to hear more
18 how about a networking table. I would love to do business with more women owned businesses...just don't know
them.
19 what more does any woman want but other mature, professional women to eat, dance and chat with...
20 Great idea!
21 I think it's a good idea to offer another option for women who like to dance but don't want to wait until 10 p.m., even
if it's only once a month for now. I think it should be inclusive to women who are of 'legal' age, gay and/or gay-friendly. I
think if it's done right, it will be a great addition at Hot Water!
22 One thing we did years ago was on Sun afternoons it would be disco afternoon. Or do a Sunday afternoon tea party
like they do in P-town. West Hollywood also does Sunday disco parties. Just thought I would mention.
Continued

18. 11. Care to expand on that?
23 Anytime women in the community want to expand on social engagements I'm all for it. Unfortunately, the
women in this community don't go out much when events are offered. However, your idea of starting early is a
good one and older women might come out and dance if it were earlier. Do all the polka's earlier in the night
and as the evening progresses the dj could change the music up to fit the crowd. I love it that someone is
taking the upper hand and trying it. I've been to events at Hot water on both Friday and Sat both straight and
gay and I think the venue is perfect.
24 I t would be nice to have an event that would start earlier in the evening for those who would appreciate
that.
25 I think it is a great ideas to have a place to meet that focuses on dancing and not just another pick up
place. That can be a turn off at times.
26 i like the fact that it starts early...even though i am 35, i do not/will not go out to late night events..i'm
simply too tired from the week. this allows us to go out, have fun, and be home at a reasonable hour..even if it
is 9:00!
27 You will really need to network this as this community generally just not support itself and those that don't
support it just complain.
28 This is something that is desperately needed
29 I think it's a good thing to have more opportunities for lesbians, but I am probably not your target either in
music choice or size of tab.
30 There are so few things for older women especially of this nature. I would never go out anymore because
I am 52 and feel too old for the ones that are out there.
31 If it is at all connected to the Community Center I probably will not come. The place is not welcoming.
32 thanks for doing this.