Negotiating Dring Specials With Bar Management

Lanztek · #1 02-21-2007, 12:25 PM

(edit to add that's drink specials) sorry

Our band has a gig this Friday night at a bar that we've performed at several times before. We tend to pack the place and the management is pretty happy with us.

Our set list is pretty strong with danceable music. We've intentionaly placed one slow song in the middle of each set as to allow patrons to have a chance to order drinks and cool off after several faster dance tunes in a row. This has been working well for us....But now to my question:

We're thinking about speaking with the management prior to our show and discussing the possibility of announcing a "drink" special during each one of these songs. We'd show them our set list and ask them if they would be willing to have us announce a drink special and if it's okay, tell us which drink and the price.

Has anyone ever done this with the management and if so, how do you approach them?

The Crusader · #2 02-21-2007, 12:37 PM

I would ask them what you guys can do to directly help them sell more of whatever it is that the establishment wishes to move. nothing wrong with that. take the approach of you guys, helping them. let them know that you understand thats how they make money. DO NOT bring up whats in it for you until you have clear clarification of what you can do for them and what is expected of you. then, and only then, you can say to them "OK, good. IF we do as you expect us to do, then we would expect you to then do this in return." it's like being partners, just be clear and straight forward, yet polite in a business way.
hope this helps.

invader3k · #3 02-21-2007, 12:38 PM

I can't see any reason a bar would have a problem with it. Frankly, it's a pretty good idea from a bar owner's perspective. Easy way to get some extra purchases from the patrons.

Just say "Hey, we had an idea...would you like it if we announced a drink special in the middle of our set? Just let us know the details and we'll put it in our set." Can't see any reasonable person objecting, and they'll probably appreciate you helping them to build their business.

Lanztek · #4 02-26-2007, 11:22 AM

Well, I spoke with the bar owner Thursday and the answer is what I should have already known..."Why would we have drink specials when you pack the place."

BTW; even though there was a blizzard going on outside, it was a great gig. The crowd was into us big time that night and we had a great time

Spoiled Grape · #5 02-26-2007, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lanztek

Well, I spoke with the bar owner Thursday and the answer is what I should have already known..."Why would we have drink specials when you pack the place."

I wouldn't push it, since it seems like you guys do well and it's a good relationship.

HOWEVER, I don't think it's a wise move on his part. Drink specials are great, because it gets people to buy, even if they were "done" for the night.

We have a drinking song in the old Irish style, and in the past, we've worked out a drink special with a few bars for that song.

Example:

Singer : Okay, here is one for the dark beer lovers in the crowd! $2.00 pints of guinness during this song!

It leaves the dance floor nice and dry, but it adds some extra padding in the wallet.

Lazylion · #6 02-26-2007, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Filakovsky

I would ask them what you guys can do to directly help them sell more of whatever it is that the establishment wishes to move. nothing wrong with that. take the approach of you guys, helping them. let them know that you understand thats how they make money. DO NOT bring up whats in it for you until you have clear clarification of what you can do for them and what is expected of you. then, and only then, you can say to them "OK, good. IF we do as you expect us to do, then we would expect you to then do this in return." it's like being partners, just be clear and straight forward, yet polite in a business way.
hope this helps.

There wouldn't be anything tangible in it for the band. Just brownie points with the management. He wasn't asking for anything in return.

HomeBrewTJ · #7 02-26-2007, 02:27 PM

I thought this would be about you getting drink specials from the bar

Actually, when we play at one bar, they have $1.00 PBR's all night and buy us a couple of cases to stick onstage.

Lanztek · #8 02-26-2007, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomeBrewTJ

I thought this would be about you getting drink specials from the bar

Actually, when we play at one bar, they have $1.00 PBR's all night and buy us a couple of cases to stick onstage.

This bar gives us free drinks all night long (gets pretty tough to keep the guitard player inline)

I just thought it would be a good idea to get people to the bar after we've made them nice and thirsty. I didn't push it with the owner, but I still think it makes good business sense.

**Mickey Shane** · #9 02-26-2007, 06:03 PM

Tell him about your idea. Then let him figure out what he going to do. I played at one club where they would come up between songs and ask our singer to announce the drink specials. It is good advertising for the drink specials, if the owner wants to adopt the idea.

At first he might not go for it. Just tell him the idea and let him simmer on it for a while.

Peter Squire · #10 02-26-2007, 11:31 PM

We always promote whatever the bar has going on - whether its a drink special or a theme night or meal deals. We usually ask the barman what he wants us to push and we do it in the patter.

And we also thank the bar staff at the end of the night, because they are the ones that have to put up with our rowdy audience

Phalex · #11 02-27-2007, 07:45 AM

We always run our own drink special:

Buy the band a round and get one free! One of these days we are hoping someone takes us up on it.

Juniorkimbrough · #12 02-27-2007, 11:31 AM

Bad idea in my opinion. Why would he discount drinks if the place is packed? To overwork his already overworked bartenders?

I would drop the topic with him, it's kinda like him telling you what songs you should play. It's his business, noone likes somene else telling them how to run their business.

Just my opinion