Promoting band gigs from the stage.... your thoughts

[fishdude101101]

We go out of our way to be great to the staff. It does make a difference. I always get to a venue with plenty of time to spare so that after I get set up, I can go hang out and visit with the staff.

We’ve gotten booked for additional gigs at some places even though the venue didn’t have a good night just because the staff liked us and enjoyed us being around.

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This is often overlooked. At venues where we take tips, we divide them evenly and give the remainder to the staff. Not always much but they do notice. Also try to keep staff favorites on the set list. Most of the places we play have younger staff and they enjoy hearting something that is less than twice their age.

 

[Pocket Dave]

This is often overlooked. At venues where we take tips, we divide them evenly and give the remainder to the staff. Not always much but they do notice. Also try to keep staff favorites on the set list. Most of the places we play have younger staff and they enjoy hearting something that is less than twice their age.

How much of a cut do you give the staff? In bars, we simply promote the tip jar "after you've taken good care of the staff".

We do make a habit of tipping the staff for any provided food/beverages, whether comp'd or not.

 

[pepj]

I'll always try and pay for drinks or food.
We charge a top rate, so I at try and put something back. Or I'll go out of my way to tag their other events, especially mid week food specials or community meets up.

 

[fishdude101101]

How much of a cut do you give the staff? In bars, we simply promote the tip jar "after you've taken good care of the staff".

We do make a habit of tipping the staff for any provided food/beverages, whether comp'd or not.

So yeah, we always tip too on anything we order just as if we were there as normal customers. As far as the other money, we just divide the amount in the tip jar by the number of us doing the gig. Everyone take an even amount and then we give the rest to the staff. It's certainly not much but it builds bridges.

Some of this is venue dependent. One more upscale place, it's normal for us to get a few hundred in tips per night. It's a seafood place with an outdoor stage and huge deck with boat docks arranged like a giant parking lot. Lots of people with money. For me its a break even gig. Wife always comes out and with our dinner and drinks its barely break even lol. Long time friends with the owners and its just a good time all around.

 

[fishdude101101]

I'll always try and pay for drinks or food.
We charge a top rate, so I at try and put something back. Or I'll go out of my way to tag their other events, especially mid week food specials or community meets up.

One venue we play feeds and lets the band drink for free within in reason. Every gig, same back and forth, I try to pay, they decline.

 

[Pocket Dave]

So yeah, we always tip too on anything we order just as if we were there as normal customers. As far as the other money, we just divide the amount in the tip jar by the number of us doing the gig. Everyone take an even amount and then we give the rest to the staff. It's certainly not much but it builds bridges.

Some of this is venue dependent. One more upscale place, it's normal for us to get a few hundred in tips per night. It's a seafood place with an outdoor stage and huge deck with boat docks arranged like a giant parking lot. Lots of people with money. For me its a break even gig. Wife always comes out and with our dinner and drinks its barely break even lol. Long time friends with the owners and its just a good time all around.

So if all band members take an even cut from the tip jar, what's left to give the staff? What am I missing here?

If you mean the odd number, that's usually one or two dollars, depending on number of band members. To settle that, we just play tip-jar-roulette; put everyone's cut in a separate role between your fingers - let everyone choose a roll & someone may win the prize and take home an extra dollar.

 

[fishdude101101]

So if all band members take an even cut from the tip jar, what's left to give the staff? What am I missing here?

If you mean the odd number, that's usually one or two dollars, depending on number of band members. To settle that, we just play tip-jar-roulette; put everyone's cut in a separate role between your fingers - let everyone choose a roll & someone may win the prize and take home an extra dollar.

Not missing anything its just math, but with a little extra kicked their way. I'm not asking for change either to make it 100% right.

Sometimes, for example if there are 4 of us and we get $235 in tips, we'll each just take 50 and kick the bartendars $35. Yes I know you could divide 4 into that again but even if we did we'd give the last few bucks.

I get the argument against doing this, but we're all just middle aged enthusiasts who understand the value in relationship management.

 

[Pocket Dave]

Not missing anything its just math, but with a little extra kicked their way. I'm not asking for change either to make it 100% right.

Sometimes, for example if there are 4 of us and we get $235 in tips, we'll each just take 50 and kick the bartendars $35. Yes I know you could divide 4 into that again but even if we did we'd give the last few bucks.

I get the argument against doing this, but we're all just middle aged enthusiasts who understand the value in relationship management.

I get it now. Thanks for the explanation.

 

[fishdude101101]

I get it now. Thanks for the explanation.

No problem.

Was funny, last weekend playing a different but nearby venue, one of those same bartenders through a $50 tip our way. Found later on that she is a dentist by day, bartender by night. She doesn't need the money, just started bartending in college and never gave it up, and just really loves it. People are interesting.