Karaoke Forums

I've had people come in to sing because they know that the awesomeness of their talent will compel everyone to buy their drinks the rest of the night as they beg for requests.

However, I've never been to a place that encourages that behavior to the point of asking the crowd to tip the singer too.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/04/us/04outhere.html

Every bar needs a mascot...

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They probably used a spectrum analyzer....

Wouldn't happen at our club. They don't even allow those flower girls that try to sell roses to suckers (men) for their girls, no way a panhandler would remain on the premises - since most likely he wouldn't be spending anything to begin with.
They just 86'd a gal that would bum smokes off of anyone she could and never buy even a soda.

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Our bartendress just 86ed a couple for the same--they were getting butts out of the ashtrays to smoke and finishing drinks left on the table. But they were also bothering the other patrons (besides grossing them out) for cigarettes and drinks. We also have non-spenders that aren't a nuisance that get helped. One guy drinks free coffee all night but he drives the drinkers home at the end of the night so he gets to stay.

There ARE people in our area who go to the casino shows for the free drinks and to try to win prizes to sell on Craigslist. But that fellow seems like something that is sort of fun and unusual as long as it's just one person doing it but if they got an influx, they would have to stop it.

Hard times. I, myself pretend to be a karaoke host so that I can get a free drink.......

That I do not consider a problem but more of a service!

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I kicked out a crackhead once but I work in nicer parts of the city, we generally don't have bums or druggies.

Definitely a service. That is why we stay out of the policing of water drinkers as the bartendress knows everyone and their story and who the owner lets slide, etc. We might point out something to her but she is in charge of drink selling and we are in charge of show running. We know she runs her you know what off trying to make money so if she lets someone slide, it is for a reason. We may discuss strategy after hours but it works better if we are out of the drama.

But yes, we have "bums" singing but not for tips. Anyone who makes others feel uncomfortable will be gone.

At my main bars, there is a no loitering policy. Even so, there are still those who con drinks off people, bum smokes, etc. We have a 10 cent deposit in Michigan for beer/soda containers. Even have one guy who throws empties over the fence to pick them up later to return them for cash.

I am also the bouncer, too! Just a month ago, I had to kick someone out (at the request of the bartender) for loitering/bothering customers. When the lights go on, I am the one who keeps the peace and ushers people out while the bartender cleans & counts her till. Most nights, I also escort the bartender to her vehicle.

But, I have said it before. I don't want non-paying customers clogging up my request lines while the lucrative paying customers are forced to wait for their turn. Karaoke crowds are notoriously cheap, but I've been complimented several times as to the type & class of singers my shows attract.

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