Karaoke Forums

This pertains to regular hours, not overtime.    

Bar owners think they own you when they pay you.   I have had to set a few straight as to how things will be run and how they will not be run.   One owner wanted rotation priviledges after several rounds of drinks.   I told him that people do know who they follow and it wouldn't be a good thing to do.   He said who's paying you.    He wants to sing 2-3 per rotation.   Nobody will know.   I said paying customers will leave if they think that I'm starting to play favorites.  

Yes they own you, but they don't.   If it's going to be something that will hurt the bar income, my reputation or my physical wellbeing, then something must be said.   I can go out the same door I came in.   Been there and done it.    I am not afraid to walk out on a job.

They get two chances to take care of an unrulely customer.   One that is causing problems with me personally.    First warning is the last.   If it happens again, see ya.     I give them a choice, you will have the troublemaker in the bar or you will have me, but you WILL NOT have both.    I tell them the next time I have to say anything about So & So, I walk.   Right in the middle of the gig if necessary.    You will lose a whole lot more money that I will.   I'm not getting paid enough to deal with drunken a**holes that want to threaten me.    You're the owner, choose who you will be loyal to.    Remember who they come to see week after week, and it isn't Mr. Trouble.    Unless he spends more a week than I bring in, you better make the right decision.

I very rarely get bar owners that want me to stay longer.  They don't want to pay the OT.

Big Mike - That is one of the coolest imaginative ideas I've heard.
I just wish the tips were in my jar and not the bartenders. You know I may still
use that idea for maybe the bartenders birthday  :D

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Big mike >>>>>>> GREAT IDEAR (Im from NY)... love it and will use it next time I host,

I have a couple bartenders that want the show shut down at the specified time, so even if I offered that, they would say no - time to clean & get people out.
Most of the other bartenders would probably go for it, but I don't charge to go overtime anyway & they still reap the benefits from extra tips in that time rather than having everyone leave when i'm done.

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I know our bartenders like when I quit on time - that would be an hour
before bar close. I guess it gives them time to clean up because everyone leaves when I do. That's a good thing.

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In this area even if the bartender is still cleaning or stocking after 2 they only get paid up to 2 o'clock. How is it in your area?

You hit the nail on the head. I never understood why the bartenders
don't get paid until they leave.

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[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

Depends on who they work for I suppose, our bartenders get paid until they clock out.

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It makes a big difference... I normally dont tear down until the next day and after  I get all the books, mics put up if I still got the energy Ill pick up a little (bottles) and if there are some drunks around I dont know Ill stay until they are gone. Little things like this are appreciated, build teamwork and understanding.

THIS is an excellent question IMHO..  I'd think the answer is contingent on factors such as how busy the bar is, whether this is even allowed (of course), layout of bar, night of week, CAN you easily get away with a "private setup" and change your normal policy without alienating anyone ?  Of course, my main thoughts would again be "pro's and con's" given a case by case scenerio.  I agree that this can get confusing, and become a source of "But you let ____ sing three times in a row last night" ?  You aren't fair, etc..

I'd give them (inquiring customers) my card, tell them you also do private gigs;but if you are enjoying yourself, and bar ownership doesn't mind, and won't exploit this expecting you to extend your stay as the result of one or two times you felt like doing it. Why not ?
Around here  veryFEW bars will allow that, most entertainment is until "last call".. Bars MUST be empty by a certain time..Laws are strict.

Interesting question !   I don't really know the answer, I wonder it would fall into an area of "business etiquette".  I really haven't a clue..

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

I had a new gig that was 9-1.   I usually played 15-20 minutes long, for free.   So the first night there, it's 5 minutes after one and I'm still playing.    The guy comes up and says 9-1.     He meant one.   Not 5 minutes after.   So from then on, it was one, done.  

There are bartenders that want to get out to go party at after hours clubs, so they rush the deal too.     Depends on how many people are there at last call.   Every bar will be different and every night will be different.   Ya gotta go wit da flo....

I guess I put the money in the bartender's hands so it doesn't look like I'm being a greedy bastard and taking advantage of my customers.  Honestly, how much more work is it for us to play those extra 4-5 songs?  

This way the bartender makes a little extra money, I usually slide on the bar tab, and some bartenders are even nice enough to cut me in on their tips (regardless of whether I do this or not) because they realize that they would not have made nearly as much if I were not there.  

Besides, it's always best if you have bartenders who are glad to see you there and are willing to work with you as opposed to just working at the same time as you.  

I learned a lesson early in my teaching career, that if you want things to go your way you gotta grease the right people.  Get to know the school secretary (SHE is the one who REALLY runs the place) the head custodian and the librarian and life's a breeze!

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Spreading the karaoke gospel

So screw the bar owner by running out on your tab?  :O  :shock:

Yes but nobody owns Cookie.