Chapter 322 – #71_Gehenna’S Host Bar (5)
#320
1.
Takasho willingly brought out Dom Pérignon.
Siwoo could once again confirm Takasho’s fanatical love for Dom Pérignon.
Takasho, wearing white gloves, took out the champagne from the ice bucket as if handling a precious treasure.
“As soon as I heard you would help, I finished chilling this to serve to Periwinkle-nim. Because champagne bottles need to withstand carbonation, the glass is thicker than regular wine, requiring a longer chilling time.”
He carefully wrapped the bottle, chilled to the perfect drinking temperature, in a white napkin and presented it for inspection.
“What I have prepared is Dom Pérignon 1973 P3 Plenitude Brut. It’s a highly regarded champagne, even among the legendary vintage line of the 70s.”
“Well, if it’s something like this, that’s a different story.”
Siwoo saw Periwinkle’s eyes sparkle.
To be honest, Siwoo didn’t know much about vintages or anything like that.
But just by looking at the imposing shape of the bottle and Periwinkle’s very, very satisfied reaction, it seemed like it was no ordinary high-end liquor.
“I will open it.”
“Good, good.”
Takasho held the bottle to his chest with a soldier-like precision, tilting the neck slightly forward.
Then, with a blunt knife that looked like a ceremonial sword, he sliced off the neck.
This was sabrage, a method of opening champagne by using the pressure of the bubbles inside the champagne and the force of the blade hitting the lower part of the neck to cut it off.
-Pop!
With a cheerful sound and a faint wisp of smoke, the cork and the neck flew far away, and Periwinkle clapped her hands.
“Good form, huh?”
“Thank you.”
Takasho held the bottom of the bottle with one hand and used a napkin to wrap around the body with the other, carefully pouring into Periwinkle’s and Siwoo’s glasses.
It was a slightly heavier golden color than the previous one.
It was a little amazing to see the carbonation still alive even though it had been 50 years since it was produced.
“Here, you drink too.”
The luxurious champagne glasses and the lighting created a luxurious atmosphere, sparkling like a sea filled with stars.
Periwinkle willingly handed a glass to Siwoo as well.
“This seems too expensive for me to drink?”
“Is that so? Madam, how much is this?”
“Including Gehenna’s tariffs, it’s about 24 gold pounds. The selling price is set at 35 pounds.”
“You need to do at least this much to feel like you’re being treated, right?”
Siwoo’s mouth dropped open.
The prices in Gehenna work in a completely different structure than in the mortal world, so it’s hard to say exactly how much one gold pound is worth!
However, from his rough estimates during his slave life, 1 pound was about 840,000 won.
In other words, the cost of bringing this champagne into the store alone was well over 20 million won.
If you add the profit margin, it would be close to 30 million won.
While Siwoo was still bewildered, Takasho continued his explanation like a sommelier.
“First of all, the gunsmoke flavor unique to Dom Pérignon is fully present. It lacks the fruity aroma of rosé, but instead, you can feel the nutty aroma like roasted almonds and the creamy bubbles that cling to the palate.”
“Looks like you studied a lot?”
“I thought it would be necessary to make you feel like you’re being treated. I’m making the other hosts study as well.”
“Good, good.”
Periwinkle took a sip of the champagne with a satisfied smile.
“I also like your spending habits. I would have been disappointed if you had brought it out stingily. You’re a spirited friend.”
“How could I haggle when you’re giving me such valuable advice?”
Although Takasho was hesitant now, he seemed like a promising guy.
Siwoo wouldn’t have even thought of giving such a grand treatment in a situation where business was already difficult.
Along with the champagne, the consultation began immediately.
“Alright, where should we start? Let’s take a look at the ledger again.”
“Here it is.”
2.
“First, get rid of the entrance fee. As I explained earlier, it can make people feel like they’re being ranked. The wines and Dom Pérignon that you were preparing based on the entrance fee should be provided for free, as a basic service.”
“Yes, I will do that.”
“Huh?”
Compared to Takasho, who nodded obediently, it was Siwoo who was surprised next to him.
Siwoo had been looking at the ledger that Periwinkle was looking at.
Although it was called a basic service, it wasn’t like they were just serving soju or canned beer.
Those alone were items priced at 1 pound, 3 pounds, and so on.
“If the witches just drink the basic liquor without ordering anything else, wouldn’t that be a complete loss?”
“If you think simply, that’s right.”
Periwinkle crossed her arms with a meaningful expression.
“Didn’t I tell you? Both witches and the rich have their own arrogance? We’re going to exploit that arrogance.”
The witches of Gehenna are generally wealthy.
Not to mention the witches who stay in Lenormand Town and visit the Malcuth Gallery for leisure.
“Would that arrogant witch just drink the free liquor and leave? Especially when other witches are watching? That would be damaging to her dignity and reputation.
Even if there is such a witch, she would be frowned upon by those around her and would soon be unable to set foot in the establishment again.”
“That’s true.”
“Oh, my cute Siwoo. It’s cute that you need me to explain everything from A to Z to understand.”
Periwinkle pinched Siwoo’s cheek and continued her explanation.
“Anyway, instead of an entrance fee, receive tips. Make it so that customers who have been ‘treated’ well enough, rather than customers who have ‘purchased’ a service, give gold coins as a sign of satisfaction. That nuance is more important than you think.
The Dom Pérignon lineup that Madam has prepared is something that is not quite high enough to pay for, but at the same time, it’s a liquor that has a subtle price to it to get for free, right? They will give a generous tip, more than the price of the liquor, just for appearances. Of course, if you entertain them properly.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
“And one more thing. Give more special meaning to the ‘gifts’ that customers order.
Reduce the mid-range options like various cognacs, whiskeys, wines, brandies, etc., and go for the highest possible price, so they can feel like they’ve had ‘a special drink today,’ like the champagne you gave me earlier. Right now, the variety is small and the stock is insufficient.”
“What should we do with the mid-range items we’ve already prepared?”
“Reduce the number of future orders but keep them in stock. However, if you only leave the very expensive items, it might give the impression that ‘these guys are trying to rip us off.’ It’s also important to leave comparable items to give them the feeling that they are indulging in luxury.”
Takasho, who had been diligently writing down Periwinkle’s words, looked slightly troubled.
“But it’s not easy for me to get these high-end liquors one by one. Apart from the money issue, the supply is very low compared to the demand.”
Takasho was also not in a position to buy rare liquors as much as he wanted, as he was only connected through the Adonai Trading Company.
“Hmm, that’s true. Then I’ll help you with that too. There are several companies that supply liquor to my hotel.”
“Really?”
Takasho’s eyes widened at the unexpected offer.
He repeatedly bowed his head and expressed his gratitude to Periwinkle.
“Of course. You’re Siwoo’s close friend, right? I came here because I had some business to take care of, so it’s difficult right now. I’ll help you next time I go to the mortal world. Until then, what you have now should be enough.”
With Periwinkle’s generous support, the worries on Takasho’s face disappeared.
In fact, even if he pretended to be okay on the outside, it must have been quite stressful.
It was a situation where a business that could potentially cost him his life was withering away.
Periwinkle also flipped through the ledger and pointed out various things.
She roughly estimated the types and prices of liquor that should be ordered each month and promised to introduce a Gehenna company that could rent out art pieces for interior decoration.
“Also, think about holding events at appropriate intervals. The important thing is not to make them get bored easily.”
“I’m considering that as well.”
“Once you’ve established yourself, it would be good to issue membership cards. The difficulty of access gives the impression that it’s special.”
“I hadn’t thought of that. I’ll look into it.”
“The profit margin is too low compared to the operating costs.”
“Even though I’ve already added a 40-50% profit margin?”
“Yeah, instead, raise the prices and provide services or change the interior decoration frequently to refresh the atmosphere.”
After some business talk, three hours had passed in the blink of an eye.
In short, the reason for Takasho’s poor business performance was that he had approached it with too much of a commoner’s mindset, and Periwinkle had smoothly refined those aspects.
“And the last problem…”
It wasn’t that everything had been resolved smoothly.
There was still a significant problem remaining in this host bar.
“It’s how to attract customers. Originally, Gehenna’s businesses rely on word-of-mouth from witches, but Madam missed the right time to get customers. In fact, by now, there would probably be bad reviews circulating.”
“Hmm…”
“Besides, the Water Garden of the brothel and the bathhouse are established players that have been around for over 100 years, right? It’s hard for a latecomer to catch up with just ordinary effort. You have to steal their regulars.”
“So, the remaining issue is promotion.”
Periwinkle also made a hmm sound, as if she didn’t have a clear answer to this point.
“Advertising in the newspaper…”
“No. It’s too vulgar. I forgot to mention this, but get rid of the signboard outside as well.”
“Yes.”
Siwoo, who had been quietly observing, stepped forward.
In fact, he had been thinking about it since he heard about Takasho’s difficult situation.
He had asked for Periwinkle’s help because he needed a fundamental solution, but he had his own ideas.
“Periwinkle-nim, would that be good for promotion?”
“Oh? That’s right. You were here!”
Periwinkle’s face lit up, and Takasho, who still didn’t know the exact situation, tilted his head.
“A bar where you can meet the first male witch… I can’t pass that up.”
Siwoo wasn’t just any ordinary celebrity.
As he had already experienced in Border Town, he was a pied piper who could gather witches just by walking around.
In Gehenna’s liquor business, which relies heavily on word-of-mouth, could there be a more exciting and stimulating promotion than this?
Siwoo was already unable to walk the streets normally because of the rumors.
Since he had already given up on his normal life, he might as well use it for his friend.
“Well, it’s true that Siwoo is handsome, good at customer service, and can use magic, but will that really be helpful?”
“There’s no one in Gehenna right now who has as much attention as Siwoo. At least the witches of Lenormand Town will come at least once.”
Takasho looked at Siwoo with a strange look, as if asking, “Is that true?”
“It’s not like I wanted to do this. I guess you could call this a blessing in disguise.”
“What the hell have you been doing…”
In front of Takasho, who was dumbfounded and had even forgotten his customer service tone, Periwinkle began her final summary.
“Well, it’s impossible to do it tomorrow, so let’s start the host bar revival project in earnest starting the day after tomorrow.”
Finally, Periwinkle gave tips on various details, generously adding a tip to the price of the champagne she had received today, and left the store.
From that evening, Siwoo immediately received training from Takasho on table manners, how to treat witches, simple common sense to make conversations easier, and Gehenna current affairs for cultured conversations.
There were more detailed points than he had expected, and it was very thorough.
“You have to memorize this no matter what.”
Even just for table manners, when putting ice in a glass, the indented part should face the side.
Make sure your hands don’t go below the table.
When putting down a glass, use your fingertips to support it once so that it doesn’t make a sound.
When pouring liquor, make sure the opening doesn’t face the customer’s body.
How to light a cigarette.
And so on.
It was a strict and formal etiquette training.
He also heard about simple tips on how to treat witches, but apart from table manners, there weren’t any particularly difficult parts for Siwoo.
After all, he had spent five years as a slave, so he had a good understanding of the way witches think and how to serve them.
After spending a day receiving special training, almost without sleep.
Finally, the grand opening of Rose Glass, Gehenna’s only host bar, was approaching.
