Important Considerations for Restaurants, Bars, and Other Venues Featuring Live Music

Years ago, I wrote an article, "Musicians: You Are Responsible for the Climate of Live Music," about musicians taking responsibility for the gigs they accept rather than villainizing venues or music agencies. On the other hand, owners of venues and agencies would equally benefit from recognizing the consequences of their decisions and policies.

I began playing music venues professionally at 15 years old. Since then, I have performed for hundreds of venues throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. Unfortunately, though some owners possessed the wisdom and foresight necessary for their businesses to flourish as restaurants and bars featuring live music, at least 80% needed more awareness.

I will discuss critical, often neglected topics for owners to consider if they want to be successful music venues. As obvious as some points may seem, many owners, managers, and booking agents consistently ignore them to the detriment of their business. Below are elements that successful live-music venues recognize.

I will discuss critical, often neglected topics for owners to consider if they want to be successful music venues. As obvious as some points may seem, many owners consistently ignore them to the detriment of their business. 

QUALITY VS. QUANTITY

Recently, a booking agent approached me to perform weekly at a local restaurant/bar. The venue had two well-known venues and was opening a third location. He told me the goal was to feature live music every day of the week; to meet this, he would have to coordinate booking at least 21 musicians weekly. As much as I applauded his support of live music, I suggested that he consider the quality and professionalism of the musicians first. Few musicians can skillfully cover three hours of music every week; even fewer conduct themselves professionally. The venue must find talented, experienced musicians with respectful characters for success.  

Venues I have encountered over several decades that overlooked the quality and character of the musicians failed. But, as we know, quality entails a greater fee. That said, I recommended focusing on finding high-quality, professional musicians.

LIVE MUSIC BUDGET

A venue benefits far more from having two or three weekly days featuring excellent musicians instead of spreading the budget over lesser quality musicians. For example, a business with a $1500 budget for live music per week will benefit significantly more from booking three excellent musicians or bands weekly at $500 per performance than getting lesser-quality musicians five days a week at $250 per performance. For a venue to develop a reputation as a great place to hear live music, serving patrons high-quality live music is a must.

Instrumental music, either by a soloist or duo, may be preferable if the idea is to create an ambiance where patrons can talk at comfortable volumes; however, only a few professional musicians can cover a three-hour performance.

PATRONS PREFER CONSISTENCY

People generally take comfort in familiarity. Would radically changing your restaurant's menu each week be favorably received by your patrons? Few exceptions notwithstanding, most will not. The same applies to live music. Featuring a talented, professional musician or band on the same day and time creates a way for your patrons to know what to expect. People generally want to avoid looking up the weekly or monthly live music calendar.

AVOID THE ONE-BAD-APPLE SYNDROME

Invariably, a live music venue will hire a musician or band that is obnoxious in one or multiple ways. For example, perhaps a musician is too loud and refuses to turn the volume down; perhaps a musician attempts to take advantage of a venue. Unfortunately, such experiences sometimes result in overcorrecting through rash decisions affecting respectful and responsible musicians. Be careful not to punish the musicians who have repeatedly behaved professionally after dealing with an undesirable one. Ignorant musicians eventually earn their reputation among others. They will find no venues or musicians willing to put up with their antics, even when their talent is considerable.

COMMUNICATION AND RESPECT

Businesses operating with clear communication and respect for their employees have a greater advantage than those who treat them condescendingly. Some owners, managers, and booking agents would massively benefit from improving their communication skills and perspective.

If you are an owner who has hired a manager or booking agent to organize and coordinate the music schedule, ensure the person possesses the skills required to accomplish their job properly. I have personally seen plenty of venues with great potential fail only because of the incompetence of a manager or agent.

Venues that pay musicians on the day of the gig or the following day at the latest show their talents are valued. High-quality, professional musicians are not a dime a dozen; replacing them can be difficult. One guaranteed way to lose them quickly is to take a week or more to pay them.

Realize that high-caliber musicians receive calls from other clients to perform. These musicians may turn down one or more performance opportunities because they accepted a booking at your venue. Giving ample time to either confirm or cancel a booking is a professional.

If a venue's manager or agent has mistakenly double-booked two or more acts, the venue should pay both in full; this action is the most reasonable, demonstrating responsibility and respect. On the other hand, if one of the acts shows up when they were not booked, that act should also take responsibility by deferring to the other band without compensation.

When booked to perform for a venue, I want to advertise that to others with enough time for them to plan; last-minute bookings or confirmations make this impossible. Moreover, I want to support the venue as much as it supports me; this creates a win-win situation for everyone.

Remember that skilled musicians with decades of professional experience have dedicated tens of thousands of hours to their craft. Treating them well with respect will return to your venue, for they will be interested in the success of your business.