Moonlight Amphitheatre Concession Services

The City of Vista solicits written proposals for Moonlight Amphitheatre concession services. The City will enter into an agreement for up to five years with one selected Vendor.

Vendors may submit proposals as a single firm with in-house capabilities or as a primary consultant with sub-vendors to provide the RFP services. For specialized work for which the prime vendor will require a sub-vendor, the prime vendor will serve as an administrative liaison between the City and the sub-vendor. The prime vendor mark-up for sub-vendors shall not exceed five percent (5%). The City reserves the right to request proposals from other firms throughout the Agreement term for special projects requiring unique qualifications.

Schedule & Capacity

The summer season has been in operation at the open-air Moonlight Amphitheatre in Brengle Terrace Park in Vista for over 40 years. The summer season generally runs from May through October and consists of five Broadway-style musicals with fourteen (14) performances of each musical and a youth (8-18 years) theatre production for five (5) performances over two weekends. Average nightly audience for the musicals is 1,000-1,500 people with an annual summer attendance of approximately 75,000. Musical performances typically begin at either 7:30 PM or 8:00 PM, Wednesday through Sunday evenings, with gates typically opening at either 6 PM or 6:30 PM. Food and beverage service is typically available to patrons starting two hours before the performance and continuing through the end of intermission. Once the performance begins, concession operations are required to limit activity to avoid disrupting the production. If the performance includes an intermission—typically lasting 15 to 20 minutes—concession service can resume as usual during that time. The concessionaire typically does not operate after the performance concludes.

In addition to the summer season, Moonlight offers a Presents Series in the amphitheatre throughout the year, typically in the months of March, April, May, July, August and October. These may be one-night-only events or span two to three days in a row. The same patron service and concessions procedures for summer season productions are observed during Presents events.

Shows are viewed by patrons from fixed stadium seating and lawn chair seating on grass areas throughout the venue. There are 904 fixed stadium seats, 368 reserved lawn seats, and capacity for over 700 additional patrons in general lawn seating area. Venue capacity is approximately 2,000. Patrons are permitted to enter with picnic items, ice chests, and blankets; smoking is prohibited within the amphitheatre gates and guests are not permitted to bring alcohol into the amphitheatre.

Free Community Event

Every December, Moonlight offers a free community event themed around the holidays. This event runs for three weeks in December for 3-4 nights a week from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM. This event focuses on a holiday light show with extra activities such as live animals, pictures with Santa and kids crafts. Attendance at this event is between 1,500 and 2,500 people per night.

Facility Rentals

From October through April, the amphitheatre is available to the public as a rental facility. If renters require food, the concessionaire is offered first right of refusal to provide concessions for the event, except for Moonlight Cultural Foundation (MCF) events. Currently, MCF events are included in the annual calendar of events at the Moonlight Amphitheatre that the concessionaire is required to staff.

Kitchen & Equipment

The primary concession facility is in the Moonlight Amphitheatre patio area. The facility consists of a 38’6” x 13’9” kitchen space with commercial range hood/fire suppression system, two commercial freezers, two commercial refrigerators, commercial ice maker, 3-bay commercial sink with dishwasher, and a built-in-walk-in cooler.

There are two walk-up windows for snack bar service and a large, covered patio with tables and chairs to seat 60-80 for dinner. There is approximately 177 square feet of preparation room adjacent to the kitchen. A second snack bar concession, approximately 50 square feet, is located next to the lighting booth at the rear center of the amphitheatre. This concession has shelves and a roll-up door over the serving counter. Previous concession beverage service has included fountain soft drinks, coffee, beer, and wine. Any other necessary and/or requested equipment would be the sole responsibility, including cost, of the concessionaire.

Gross Sales

The most recent concessionaire has been operating at the amphitheatre since 2021. The current concessionaire reported $783,561.50 in gross sales (including snack bar operations, beer and wine bar, sit-down dinners, and any special event catering) to the City for 2024.

The information provided above is generalized information regarding the Moonlight Amphitheatre and is subject to change.