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Cover charge for open mic?
- Thread starter Jim Kernan
- Start date
Thank you for the responses. I thought most people would agree. Those that didn't brought up different circumstances.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
Several years ago I was in a band that regularly hosted an open mic night on a Wednesday, and it was one of the busiest nights of the week for the bar. They charged no cover. We were paid fairly and the people who came, often regulars, would bring friends/family it kept the bar pretty busy throughout the night
At least in my experience that model seemed to work and benefited both the band and the bar.
As a musician, it was a mixed bag of nuts as sometimes it would be fun and challenging to play something you're unfamiliar with when backing a singer/guitarist but other times it was a 3 1/2 minute train wreck when the person we were backing was musically challenged.
Overall, I enjoyed it and miss the gig.
At least in my experience that model seemed to work and benefited both the band and the bar.
As a musician, it was a mixed bag of nuts as sometimes it would be fun and challenging to play something you're unfamiliar with when backing a singer/guitarist but other times it was a 3 1/2 minute train wreck when the person we were backing was musically challenged.
Overall, I enjoyed it and miss the gig.
I remember there was a while, maybe eight or ten years ago, when people complained about open mic nights being bars getting free entertainment for their patrons. I never thought that was right, at least not in my area. Open mic nights were usually on slow nights, and the business model was that the musicians WERE the patrons. It was your chance to come have a drink and jam casually with other people, meet folks, give your new band a low-pressure dry run, and all that. Usually a cover charge is to cover the cost of hiring entertainers, but if you didn't hire any entertainers, I don't know why you'd charge one. I doubt it's a model that will last long.
When my guitarist and I got together, one open mic became a regular thing. They paid the host a flat fee regardless of a solo act or band. It was always a good time and a good night for the bar.
It stopped during covid and never started back up.
It stopped during covid and never started back up.
I've never paid to get into an open mic as a performer. NEVER. And I wouldn't, simple as that. You're getting my services for free, I don't care how many or how few songs I play on. Why would I pay the venue for that privilege? If you hired another tradesman who showed up and didn't do anything, you'd have to pay them for their time regardless and would be charged for a call-out, not the other way around. Charging admission to regular patrons is another story - that's up to the venue/patrons and depending on who was going to be there I'd pony-up a few bucks for entry if I was asked to go and wasn't playing. But the whole "pay to play" thing just kills it for newcomers and players who may want to either build their confidence or are looking to play without having to gig for a whole night, etc.
I know of a place that has a tip jar for the sound guy , which sounds fair to me .
For one open mic I occasionally go to, it results in a full house of diners and drinkers on what woud typically be an off night. The lack of a cover, as well as the knowledge that anyone bad gets only 3 songs probably help. That and a reputation for having several quality performers that are regulars. A cover would drive the crowds away in my opinion.
For a real open mic, never.
But I could see an established band charging to let people sing while they play the songs, which seems to be what OP is describing.
But I could see an established band charging to let people sing while they play the songs, which seems to be what OP is describing.
I'd be walking away. I'm completely against any form of pay-to-play.
It depends on the crowd and how much they're drinking / eating. If they show up and sip Diet Coke all night, then as a bar owner I would either charge a cover or switch to trivia night. Open mics are a draw to musicians, not regular patrons.
During my playing days, jam sessions and open mics were generally "middle of the week" affairs, like Tuesday or Wednesdays when things were slow.
And they were ALLWAYS free to the public.
Jams were (sometimes) fun opportunities for local musicians, many of whom were familiar with each other to hang and socialize and have fun.
Backlines were communal, just bring your axe. Drummers brought they're own snare and cymbals.
Open mics were mostly a call for singers...hence the "open mic".
These were almost completely replaced by Kareoke.
But even those were free. Just a way to draw on slow nights.
Before my time, they called them "Amateur night".
And they were ALLWAYS free to the public.
Jams were (sometimes) fun opportunities for local musicians, many of whom were familiar with each other to hang and socialize and have fun.
Backlines were communal, just bring your axe. Drummers brought they're own snare and cymbals.
Open mics were mostly a call for singers...hence the "open mic".
These were almost completely replaced by Kareoke.
But even those were free. Just a way to draw on slow nights.
Before my time, they called them "Amateur night".
Passinwind
I know nothing.
- Dec 3, 2003
- 23,058
- 45,955
- Disclosures
- Designer/Toaster Tech @ Passinwind Electronics
I've played many many open mics over the years, paying civilians have typically outnumbered players by several fold.
I always tip - usually $20 - for the house band at the jazz jam I do weekly. And I’m usually the one who walks round with the tip jar. I know how much the house band get paid - $150 between the 4 of them - so I think it’s very bad not to tip, whether you’re a jammer or spectator. No cover charge, but if no-one tips I can see why a jam might do that.
I’ve been going to that jam for 18 months. Incredibly supportive and generous. I’m often the only bassist who shows up, too. They’ve helped me go from crappy to quite respectable. I don’t earn enough to pay them what I owe them.
I’ve been going to that jam for 18 months. Incredibly supportive and generous. I’m often the only bassist who shows up, too. They’ve helped me go from crappy to quite respectable. I don’t earn enough to pay them what I owe them.
It was advertised as an open mic, bring your instruments, so we weren't paying to play.
Hi Jim 
Was it the host's place/ bar?
Probabely not? => No income via drinks.
Was it the host's P.A.? Backline? Or did they have to rent it?
Was the host and his band payed by the bar owner to do this event? (and bring? P.A., backline, drums...)
Or did the bar owner ask the host and his band to work for free and cash in at the door?
No matter how these questions are answered.
The whole thing sounds like a terrible business model, that I wouldn't support!
greetings
Wise(b)ass
Was it the host's place/ bar?
Probabely not? => No income via drinks.
Was it the host's P.A.? Backline? Or did they have to rent it?
Was the host and his band payed by the bar owner to do this event? (and bring? P.A., backline, drums...)
Or did the bar owner ask the host and his band to work for free and cash in at the door?
No matter how these questions are answered.
The whole thing sounds like a terrible business model, that I wouldn't support!
greetings
Wise(b)ass
I was intending to go to a jazz Jam in Bloomington, Indiana, last night, but they instituted a cover charge so I stayed home. Cover charge is bullshite for a jam, imho.
John
