Seems like around here you only see a tip jar for originals bands playing in small venues for no pay. If they can draw a crowd, they can do quite well.
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Is A Tip Jar At A Gig OK? - With Poll
- Thread starter mrjim123
- Start date
Never had a problem with most club owners allowing this.
MOST of them aware that to SOME musicians, this IS their livelihood!
Some are offended by it.
Doesn't hurt to ask.
EDIT- I just remembered that one club owner, when we asked about putting a tip jar at the front of the stage, said, "if you guys can PLAY tunes that the patrons want to hear, why not play it up with your band as a "live jukebox? Tell 'em that if they request a tune you guys know, it's $5!"
It's amazing how many requests (over and over again in ONE NIGHT) we got for "Mustang Sally" and "Sweet Home Alabama"! LOL
MOST of them aware that to SOME musicians, this IS their livelihood!
Some are offended by it.
Doesn't hurt to ask.
EDIT- I just remembered that one club owner, when we asked about putting a tip jar at the front of the stage, said, "if you guys can PLAY tunes that the patrons want to hear, why not play it up with your band as a "live jukebox? Tell 'em that if they request a tune you guys know, it's $5!"
It's amazing how many requests (over and over again in ONE NIGHT) we got for "Mustang Sally" and "Sweet Home Alabama"! LOL
My classic rock cover band: $225 in tips at last gig on Sunday, plus regular pay, plus extra pay from patron for birthday party, plus a free meal = OK
Did I need a "humor" designation? I thought the tip off was "Metal/Punk Show - Will be stolen"
That was the punch line. The first two lines were called "the set up."
30+ yrs of playing in public and never was in a band that put a jar out
If the owner of the bar/function puts one out, obviously no prob
If I busked, no prob
Otherwise, not into it. Feels sorta cheap and beggy 'to me' but I have zero issues with anyone else putting one out or other performers that do
I'd rather have whiskey in the jar-oh...
If the owner of the bar/function puts one out, obviously no prob
If I busked, no prob
Otherwise, not into it. Feels sorta cheap and beggy 'to me' but I have zero issues with anyone else putting one out or other performers that do
I'd rather have whiskey in the jar-oh...
I voted ok unless cover is charged, but what I really feel is it is ok unless it is a private function gig.
At a gig with a cover charge, you might not collect that many tips.
One thing I know: having a staff member carry the tip jar around the room once or twice a set greatly increases the amount of tips you get.
At a gig with a cover charge, you might not collect that many tips.
One thing I know: having a staff member carry the tip jar around the room once or twice a set greatly increases the amount of tips you get.
The ole handshake tip works well for these functions.
Not sure why "always OK" is winning...there are plenty of gigs where it is totally NOT ok to have a tip jar. Pretty much any private event for one, or any gig that has a ticket price. Or if the venue just doesn't want you to have one.
Generally for bar gigs we have one, but most other gigs we don't.
Generally for bar gigs we have one, but most other gigs we don't.
It's hard to get good paying gigs these days,, so a tip jar is a good idea.
We played a residency at a venue for several years, and about 1/3 of our pay would come from the jar. The bar tenders would come out once every set and pass it for us. Much appreciated.
If you have someone pass it (preferably a lovely looking young lady), people will tip. Passing the ole hat is key!
I've seen folks doing the credit card tip thing as well.
Some venues say no tip jar, and it might not be right for private events or ticket events,,, but your average bar gig, yes.
We played a residency at a venue for several years, and about 1/3 of our pay would come from the jar. The bar tenders would come out once every set and pass it for us. Much appreciated.
If you have someone pass it (preferably a lovely looking young lady), people will tip. Passing the ole hat is key!
I've seen folks doing the credit card tip thing as well.
Some venues say no tip jar, and it might not be right for private events or ticket events,,, but your average bar gig, yes.
We played a small place once and we were getting paid to play. A guy comes up and asks where our tip jar was. We told him we didn't have one. He went to the bar, got an empty beer pitcher, dropped $100 in it and said "Will you guys play Simple Man for me?" We told him we didn't know it. He asked if we'd try. I knew the song from a previous band and the words so we gave it a go. He sat by the bar tearing up. I thought it was because my singing was so bad. He told us later that night that his mom had died and it was the anniversary of her death.
Bar paid us $300 and we got $180 plus in tips that night. I didn't see an issue with it. Generally, we don't have one out unless it's to raise money for a cause.
Bar paid us $300 and we got $180 plus in tips that night. I didn't see an issue with it. Generally, we don't have one out unless it's to raise money for a cause.
By far the worst abuse of the tip jar and charity event was a Lakefront concert here in Columbia MD. The charity event was supposedly for House of Ruth or something, but really, some dad wanted his kids to be able to play at the Lakefront. He got other established bands to volunteer for this gig, I was helping on sound. Even band members were putting money in the tip bucket. Well, turns out that only money raised over actual costs would go to the charity. Strictly technically speaking, maybe okay, but in reality he was just doing this to give his kids the opportunity to play at the Lakefront. Pissed off a lot of people. Merge V was the band name, and I usually don’t remember band names.
I think it's a personal matter and it depends on the situation. I would find it offensive if our band asked for tips - and we don't. We get paid by the venue. But it's ok for others to do so, especially if you're playing in a small venue and aren't getting paid for it.
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It's very common at farmer's market gigs, don't know how many of you have played one of those. I've been playing more and more gigs where the venue only pays a small amount to the band, typically about $100, and the tip jar is the only way to make more money. I won't say I like it but it's now a fact of life around here.
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