• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

This is why I dislike bar gigs

Bullitt5135

Bullitt5135

Nov 16, 2010
2,057
4,160
SE Michigan
#1
I worked a soundman gig for my friends’ band at a popular bar and grill last night. Not a huge room, but it was pretty full/busy and people stuck around til the end. The band did their job and everybody had a good time…until the owner cornered our lead singer after the show and gave her the 3rd degree. Apparently a couple 4-tops reserved for the band’s friends were empty because some people showed up late or were no-shows. He was pissed and rude AF even though the band accounted for at least 40 guests. All the tables were full by the end of the first set, and it was SRO the rest of the night. It’s your place, bro. If you’ve got empty seats and people waiting, fill the seats.

I can’t stand these places that expect the band to bring the crowd, yet do nothing to promote the bands they book. The band does all the promo, brings a solid crowd, and STILL gets guff from the owner. And they get paid jack on top of it all. Like he’s doing the band a favor.

I was going to approach the owner about booking my main band, but why the hell would I want any of my friends and family to spend their money at a joint like this? Sadly, the music scene isn’t good around here for cover bands, so bands end up taking a bunch of **** from schmucks like this just to have an opportunity to play for a crowd.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Drredplate, pcake, Artman and 17 others
#2
I don't have any experience in this area, the band leader has always dealt with it. It seems like what you witnessed is more typical than not in all sectors of the economy. Almost everybody is looking to complain when it comes time to pay the bill. I work for a commercial property management company and tenants use the same tactic coming up on lease renewal time. Increased complaints about maintenance issues, parking, whatever. I see it as a negotiating tactic. If that band is looking to play at that bar again the owner might try to use those 4 empty tables to pay the band less.
 
#3
The band got to reserve tables for people? Never heard of that one around my neck of the woods. If the tables were reserved, then they should have been filled. If they weren’t filled, then the reservation should have been removed so they could be filled. Since it was SRO - I’d bet there were people that would have liked to have sat down. Yes, owners are often douche nozzles, but they are trying to run a business…
 
  • Like
Reactions: sean_on_bass, timmo97, gln1955 and 7 others
#4
richntiff said:
The band got to reserve tables for people? Never heard of that one around my neck of the woods. If the tables were reserved, then they should have been filled. If they weren’t filled, then the reservation should have been removed so they could be filled. Since it was SRO - I’d bet there were people that would have liked to have sat down. Yes, owners are often douche nozzles, but they are trying to run a business…
Click to expand...

I'd be a little more upset at the friends / followers / no-shows. If I set up an accommodation like this with a resulting "void", it damages my credibility of which I'm protective. Another reason I don't provide job references.

Riis
 
  • Like
Reactions: westrock, KenD, Frankie Fender and 4 others
#9
Bullitt5135 said:
I worked a soundman gig for my friends’ band at a popular bar and grill last night. Not a huge room, but it was pretty full/busy and people stuck around til the end. The band did their job and everybody had a good time…until the owner cornered our lead singer after the show and gave her the 3rd degree. Apparently a couple 4-tops reserved for the band’s friends were empty because some people showed up late or were no-shows. He was pissed and rude AF even though the band accounted for at least 40 guests. All the tables were full by the end of the first set, and it was SRO the rest of the night. It’s your place, bro. If you’ve got empty seats and people waiting, fill the seats.

I can’t stand these places that expect the band to bring the crowd, yet do nothing to promote the bands they book. The band does all the promo, brings a solid crowd, and STILL gets guff from the owner. And they get paid jack on top of it all. Like he’s doing the band a favor.

I was going to approach the owner about booking my main band, but why the hell would I want any of my friends and family to spend their money at a joint like this? Sadly, the music scene isn’t good around here for cover bands, so bands end up taking a bunch of **** from schmucks like this just to have an opportunity to play for a crowd.
Click to expand...
Sounds way too familiar.
 
  • Like
Reactions: murphy
#11
Our local spot started doing that - call and reserve your seating ahead. Anyone finds out we're playing and asks me about it, I tell them to call the bar - the band has NOTHING to do with it! The bar knows this as well and will tell people sorry, tables are full. They can still get in but it'll be standing room. And if they pull the "I know the band" card the bar says "So do we and they have nothing to do with seating". I've never run into the band being blamed for anything of the sort. I have heard statements of, "It's your fist time here, the crowd will be better tomorrow/next time". Anyone who came with us specifically as in a gf or other usually took a seat after we showed-up to play - usually about 45mins before the start of the gig.
 
  • Like
Reactions: pcake, Miles_ONeal, Low Down Brown and 1 other person
#12
RyanOh said:
The owner's only gripe was that he reserved and held tables on behalf of the band and they were no-shows?
Legit.
Click to expand...
100% agree.
And the owner’s accountant would tell the band the truth that the establishment makes less total profit on the nights that band is there because they don’t turn tables and the crowd sells fewer drinks because they’re watching the band. Fact. And in this case, yes, the owner is doing the band a favor. musicians in bar/restaurant gigs tend to take for granted how much of a loss leader they are for the business. And That is why those gigs don’t pay well. It’s not the owner being mean or cheap or disrespectful, it’s the owner frustrated that they feel pressured into the model of hosting bands and the band in turn doesn’t generate profit for the service the bar provides.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hot Rats, AndyLES, mikewalker and 3 others
#14
Who would ever ask for a reserved table in a bar? Maybe for out of town (very close) friends or family, but otherwise, it’s a bar and I’m just a cog in the organic muzak box for the evening. Once you accept your role in a bar band, making reservations for “fans” will seem more like the wistful thinking it in fact is.
People don’t come to bars to see bar bands, they come to drink and seek social interaction, all the band does is supply a catalyst for introductions by way of “would you like to dance?” Which often leads to the primary purpose of the establishments existence, “can I get you a drink?”
No one gives a poopie about the band outside it’s potential to open lines of negotiation for further social interaction which may lead to the horizontal mambo.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mikewalker
#15
You can almost see it from the owner’s perspective… a number of empty tables while other people have to stand because friends of the band can’t be bothered to show up for an entire set?

Until I remember that almost every other place I’ve ever been that takes reservations has a time limit on latecomers and no-shows. Seems like it would be completely reasonable and logical for the owner to just sit people at the empty tables 15 minutes past reservation time instead of throwing a tantrum. But people are who they are, and some people would rather complain and blame and get angry at other people that not.
 
  • Like
Reactions: pcake, Plectrum72, fishdude101101 and 1 other person

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back