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Is it bad form to...

smogg

smogg

Mar 27, 2007
5,365
6,189
NPR, Florida
Disclosures
I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell
#1
Is it bad form to order drinks from the stage over the PA?

On my last gig one of the guitar/singer kept ordering drinks from the stage (via the PA) all night. He did not over drink, but the place was slammed and does not use waitresses. They only use bartenders. I felt it was a bit unprofessional and kinda put the bartenders on the spot. Did we break an unspoken rule or is it no big deal?
 
#4
I guess it depends on whom he was addressing.

If there are no servers, and he was simply barking an order to either the bartender or to no one in particular, then I would say yeah, bad form.

I've done this where I would address someone in particular - like my wife, for example - and ask for a bottle of water or whatever.
 
#5
If it's accepted practice at that bar, it's been given the ok ahead of time, and the staff is cool with delivering the drinks - then it is all good!

Sounds like this was not the case in your example - thumbs down to your singer/guitar player.
 
#6
If you are in sales, your best friend or your worst enemy is the SECRETARY at any business you are trying to do business with. If you befriend them, they will push past the rules and get you an appointment with untouchable people. Tick them off and you won't even get to people who WANT to see you. To someone walking in from the street they are more powerful than the CEO. They can be a red carpet or a brick wall.

In a bar, the bartenders/wait staff wields the same power, if not more. Your relationship with them (9 times out of 10) will matter more than even how much beer you sell or how many people come to your shows. If they don't like you, you ain't coming back. Period. If they love you, often the manager will find a way to bring you back even if your numbers aren't amazing.

If the place is casual, and you are FRIENDS with people behind the bar, no big deal. There are lots of places we play where I can yell "Hey Barbara! Bring me a beer woman!" over the mic. (And she's the co-owner with her husband.) But we have a history. We're friends. Heck, I can stay at their house on the beach after the show if I want.

There are other places where I don't know anyone. They are a bit more upscale. I wouldn't even be caught with a beer on stage if I paid for it. I don't know how they feel about those things yet and I'm on stage with other guys who count on these gigs. I do a lot of fill-ins so I may even be a hired gun that night. I wouldn't DARE do anything to hurt their reputation.

If the guitar player and staff are total strangers, or this is a more upscale place, tell him to shut up........ now.

Like most questions, this one doesn't have one answer. It's called being grown. You act appropriately for the individual situation.
 
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#11
My philosophy regarding the mic is that it's used to address everyone at the show. Because of that, you shouldn't have private conversations over the PA. It's tacky because it will automatically exclude people because most of the folks at the venue aren't part of the conversation, but they still need to hear it. And they will usually only hear half of the conversation, since you're the one with the mic. If you must absolutely talk to someone in the audience, at least bring them on stage or hand them a mic so that everyone else can take part and it sounds coherent.

As far as ordering drinks from the stage, there's no need. Talk to the bartender or wait staff prior to the show or between sets and ask them to bring you a drink at xx time, or after xx number of songs. Or, you can ask for a pitcher and some glasses to bring on stage for the band to use. Tip ASAP and well, especially if it's your first time playing there.
 
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#12
I consider our band and the bar staff to be co-workers, we are both there to do a job catering to visitors, and not there to cause extra work for each other. So, yes, I think it is bad form. We take water or beer with us on stage ourselves, and get refills if needed during breaks. It's just part of being a band that is easy and professional to deal with, and part of why we will get asked back and some other less considerate band will not be.
 
#13
I agree it may be in bad taste but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do....


146390292-x600.jpg
 
#14
yeah, I hate when my singer tard does that.
Like he could not have thought beforehand to grab a beer out of the giant tub in the green room before we went on stage, he has to wait until mid-set to say over the mic that he needs a beer.

Not like you don't know when or how long the set will be.

Be prepared for it and get your drinks before you go on stage and put them on the floor or whatever.
 
#18
guy n. cognito said:
Two fingers is back??

Super tacky and unprofessional move. Never order drinks in the mic.
Click to expand...

Wait. Are you talking about ordering drinks on the mic being tacky, or my coming back??? Ha!


Yeah. I threw a little hissy fit and went away for a while. I'm relaxed and back. :cool:

Graciously, I was welcomed back upon request. :thumbsup:

Sorry for the interrupt. Carry on.
 

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