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This is why I dislike bar gigs

#41
Feel like we don’t know the full story here (don’t know the agreement between the owner and the band), so it’s hard to have a fair opinion on the situation.

Bullitt5135 said:
It’s your place, bro. If you’ve got empty seats and people waiting, fill the seats.
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Could this have ended up being a different kind of post if did that? “This is why I dislike bar gigs. My band played at bar and the owner sat random guests at some tables that were reserved for the band’s friends.”

I’m not saying it excuses the guy for being rude, though. There’s never a need for that.
 
#42
I have always consider it a privilege, not a right, to get paid to perform. Dealing with club owners and other business people can be challenging. That is just life, and if you want to get remunerated for performing, get used to it. I would never ask for tables to be reserved for band member's wives/girlfriends/assorted hangers-on. That is just me; if others want to do it, that is up to them. Sometimes you have to look at things through the other guy's eyes. We are just coming out of a pandemic where many businesses that require a paying public went bankrupt. Maybe other bands have showed up drunk, argumentative, too loud (that will drive out customers) or just generally entitled and obnoxious. With respect to promotion and advertisement, that is the band's responsibility IMHO. There is no excuse for rudeness on the part of the bar owner either, but as long as the band gets paid, that is the main thing.
 
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#43
Bottom line here (if this is how it went down?) This is on the band if they reserved the table(s) for x amount of people. We've always had a small band table. We save nothing except for our wives. How many times have you heard from friends that they would be there, only to "no show"? Sorry, find your own seat.
 
#46
I always tell my friends and those who want reserved seats that the venue rules are "first come, first serve". Never had a problem if you're clear about it. Even if you set a deadline of fifteen or thirty minutes late, you lose the table. Most people understand that and, if they truly are your fans, won't cause a scene over it to embarrass you for their tardiness. Communication is key. This sounds like a case of miscommunication between the band and the owner of the establishment. If you get together and explain it as such, you may salvage the relationship. Even if have to eat a slice of humble pie and apologize. Hope this helps.
 
#47
Wait. What sort bar reserves tables for musicians? Seriously. Where is this mythical land? I wanna go there and see what it’s like for musicians in another world, because on my planet this sort of thing does not happen.
 
#48
Since this has been bugging me since Friday, I talked to our singer to get more of the story. The band asked to reserve a few tables for family and friends, and those tables were filled well before show time. Additional people made their own reservations by calling the restaurant. A few of those parties arrived late. Not for nothing, the parking is terrible. I arrived over 2.5 hrs before downbeat, and had to park a 5 minute walk away after loading in.

Our singer texted the co-owner of the bar (the person who booked the band) to smooth things over. The co-owner said they had a good night and the band did a good job. She basically said they need to tighten up their reservation policy, but that’s not the band’s fault.
 
#49
arbiterusa said:
Wait. What sort bar reserves tables for musicians? Seriously. Where is this mythical land? I wanna go there and see what it’s like for musicians in another world, because on my planet this sort of thing does not happen.
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That’s a good point. The place was pretty empty when I arrived to load in and set up the PA. The band was already completely set up when I arrived, so they were there probably 4 hours early…because they wanted to be out of the way before the Friday after-work crowd. I think the band said “we know we have X number of people, so can we hold a few tables at show time?” I don’t think they roped off half the room and we’re hoping for a miracle turnout. They promptly filled the seats they asked to hold, and those people stayed until the end.

I don’t remember ever reserving tables for my own band. (I was just moonlighting for this gig). Typically, we arrive with spouses in tow well before show time. Sometimes they have to wait for something to open up.
 
#51
Killing Floor said:
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.
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Bar bands are just a cog in the Alcoholic Beverage industry.
 
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#53
If I remember correctly, at a House of Blues show with friends that were here on holiday we paid for a table for them. Like I read here, we’re the workers and have nothing to do with tables. Some venues don’t have a problem with a table for the band members girlfriends or ….. If that is important, have it in the rider.
 
#54
AcadianBassman said:
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.
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One local joint does this. But you have to pay to reserve the table.
 

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