Tabler, the social app founded by brothers Deni Sebastian Eferl, and Alan Amadej Eferl, during the pandemic, just made its debut in Mykonos—this summer's European hot spot for celebrities, fashion stars and partygoers.
Following the app's launch in Miami, the Tabler team flew off to the Greek island to meet with influencers, artists and travelers from around the world—some of whom had previously used the app in other countries.
While Mykonos had a hard time reopening due to the pandemic, it recently figured out a way to keep the party going, safely. Many clubs now request COVID-19 vaccine passports or negative tests at the door, and others—such as the beach clubs, which go from day to night—practice social distancing and mask wearing. In general, managers from different venues said the island was eager to welcome guests back, and this summer, they got what they wished for.
"The clubs welcomed us with open arms and offered us collabs, which we happily took and made the best out of," CEO Deni, 28, said. "The clubs filled their tables and got exposure, and we gained users and brought Tabler inside Mykonos' best spots."
The founders threw three major parties on the island: one at the elite SantAnna beach club, one at celebrity-favorite Principote and one at Kalua, where dancing on couches to Greece's hottest summer hits is a Mykonos must.
Tabler takes Europe
Before their European leg, the Tabler team caused shockwaves in Dubai, Tulum and Miami. And this summer, apart from Mykonos, they hosted parties—always following each city's COVID-19 guidelines—in Ibiza and Croatia. They are also stopping by St. Tropez, Nice and Cannes in the coming weeks.
"The markets vary from continent to continent, from city to city, from club to club," Deni said. "First, we test the market to see if there is potential. If there is user interest, we open the market step by step with ads, tables, promoters and Tabler parties."
In just one month, while in Europe, they've seen a 120% growth in users, Deni said, and thanks to their marketing and design team, they've achieved the lowest CPC (cost per click) and CPD (cost per download) since their debut.
The app's new payment system has also made a big difference, as users can now safely pay their share of the table while being protected with a cancelation policy and a check-in QR code, which is then scanned by the tabler (host) upon arrival.
"With the implementation of the payment system and the new cancelation policy for paying and non-paying guests, we are rapidly gaining more and more trust from the users," Deni said.
He added that their goal, with their European tour, is to "bring Tabler to the party people of Côte d'Azur and to promote the private part of the app," which, rather than sharing a table at a club, is more about hosting private yacht or house parties.
In the end, the app works the same no matter the event: the host, or "tabler," posts the event, sets the time, date, location and guidelines and accepts the users he or she wants.
Customer targeting and growth
Tabler relies heavily on social media to get the word out about parties, but it also helps that Deni and Alan, 32, have spent years traveling the world, making friends in every city.
"Our personal contact list is our most valuable asset. And that's followed by our strong influencer marketing and social media advertising." COO Alan said. "We've come to a point where investors, influencers and others interested in Tabler contact us for collabs and to talk about the future of the company."
One of their biggest collaborations to date has been with DJ Carnage, who played as GORDO at the app's officials launch party in Miami this June.
Because of how much users have enjoyed the app, Tabler's return rate is impressive. This summer, for example, users, such as d’Witches, DJ Carnage, entrepreneur Jason Stone and model Natalia Barulich, who previously attended Tabler parties in Mexico, Dubai and Miami followed the app to Europe to attend parties there.
"We discovered Tabler for the first time when we played for a Tabler’s party at Gitano Beach in Tulum," d’Witches said. "We found it very useful because usually we travel by ourselves, so it gives you the opportunity to join great tables and meet interesting people that became good friends."
They added that they've already used the app in Tulum, Miami and Mykonos and are joining a Tabler yacht party in Croatia next week.
Pro athlete and fitness star Jessica Arevalo also had her first experience with Tabler in Tulum, at a yacht party, and said it was "one of the best experiences," due to the very upscale "hospitality, food, drinks and party atmosphere." After that, she said, she became friends with the founders and has now attended various Tabler events around the world, including one earlier this summer, in Mykonos. "It’s definitely the new Uber for parties," Arevalo said.
Travel influencer Sara Benedikte Nilsen said she had her first Tabler experience in Mykonos this summer and ended up making many new friends from all around the world. "This app was needed," she said.
Blacktapeproject artist Joel Alvarez met the Tabler team in Tulum and said that despite the large group that gathered for one of their parties, everybody "seemed to vibe well together." Plus, he said, "The property was stunning and the energy was electric."
It's because of the elite, fun crowd the app pulls in in every city that celebrities, influencers and music stars are so eager to get in on the action—both on the dance floor and behind the scenes, when it comes to investing.
DJ and producer Vintage Culture, who attended Tabler's launch party in Miami and whose song "Love Tonight" has been blasting at every hot spot in Europe this summer, said, "Tabler is a super cool app and I had an amazing time at their events. I look forward to working with them in the future."
Tabler's commitment to diversity
Apart from their celebrity targeting efforts, the Tabler team has also put a great deal of time into ensuring their user population is diverse in every aspect. Deni said he and his team are specifically working on marketing to the the LGBTQ+ community in Europe, the U.S., Mexico and Asia.
"When we created the app, the LGBTQ+ group was on the priority list. We are open and honest about what we are trying to achieve in terms of our diversity initiatives and make it clear that our efforts are intentional," Deni said. "We are excited to say that our LGBTQ+ community has been growing rapidly, especially in areas such as Mykonos and other European cities, and in the U.S. We strive to create a strong, beautiful, global party community with high level of respect."
Deni said he's aware that it's often harder for people in the LGBTQ+ community, while traveling, to find friendly, fun groups to socialize and party with, but with Tabler, he hopes to change that.
"We have weekly meetings with the marketing department and are running targeted ads," Deni said, "and in the near future, we will be hosting LGTBQ+ Tabler parties and dinners in Miami and New York."
So far, he said, private dinners have been the most popular among the community, but club tables are getting more and more trendy.
"Our users feel safe and respected while using the app. After creating their personal profiles on Tabler, they can easily find their perfect match to go to a party or dinner together," Deni said. "It makes connections effortless for everyone."
Following their European leg, the Tabler team will return to the U.S., where they expect to host various parties in Miami—in collaboration with Purple Miami and J Roc—and later, take over New York City.
