Karaoke Forums

One of the biggest remarks I find when talking to bar owners/managers about booking for karaoke who have had it in the past is...

They don't make any money cuz the bums that sing all night buy a soda and get free refills all night.  This usually becomes an issue for places that have had karaoke for several years.  This is actually why the original and only karaoke bar in the area went out of business.  

What are some good examples to avoid this or solve the problem?  

It would be helpful to have a quick answer or rebuttal to save a potential gig.

Drink specials are all I can think of, but there has to be more to it than that...

To me, it's up to the bar to set prices for their products that will keep them in business.  If someone is abusing the refill policy, why not make the second refill free, but charge for the third?  I would be upset if someone sat their drinking free refills all night long too!

I haven't seen this alot at the places I go, though.  Most people order drinks.  I know one that orders cranberry juice and gets refills, but she often orders a full meal at the bar as well.  And at one place I go to, there's a guy that buys everyone a round, no matter what they are drinking...

As for karaoke, what if they charged singers a certain amount for each song, say a dollar?  Would that be a good business decision, or would it not?

I've heard this line before. Usually from bars that have other problems and they use it as an excuse for slow business.

I haven't been at this long but from what I've seen karaoke singers may not keep up with the rest of the room drink for drink, but they bring friends that more than make up for it. The more people you have in a lounge, even if some of them aren't drinking, is always a win-win because everyone gravitates towards busy rooms.

But in my place, the light and non-drinkers are pretty good and understand the need to support the place anyway. They sometimes order food. Or spend some time over at the video poker and slots (a BIG source of income for this room.)

Pop and ice water is only available by the pitcher where I work during karaoke, with no free refills, which also cuts down on the freeloaders.

But if an owner is down on karaoke you will probably not convince him otherwise no matter what you say and you might as well move on. Down every road there's always one more bar...

It's the bars own fault for giving free anything away!  Once entertainment starts, ALL drinks should be charged - including refills.  No free water, bottled water only.  Only time free anything should be given out is if they had been drinking all night & wants to sober up a tad before they leave or they are a designated driver for a group of spenders/drinkers.
I have worked some clubs that actually raised the prices by .50 each drink.  
Another possibility I have seen some clubs do is the $5 token.  It's not a cover charge per se as they pay $5 to walk in the door, they receive a token that is redeemable for $5 in food/drink.  Do if they choose to drink free refills (again bars fault if they offer this), they at least paid $5.  If they plan on drinking/spending then there is absolutely no impact on them.

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That problem is easily solved.  Don't cater to sober people.  Make karaoke about the party and not about the "singers."  Have several drinks before you start.  Be the head (but not out of control) drunk.  No "singer" will want to be around a KJ who is half in the bag, BUT drunks will.  Sell good times not ego boosts and there go your pop drinkers.

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Okay, who took my pants?

We have a 3 drink min for karaoke singers.

I agree!

Where I come from, water and soda cost more than beer in all karaoke pub.

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I can neither confirm nor deny ever having or knowing anything about nothing.... mrscott

Every karaoke bar I go to sells me pop with a smile. The margin on it is much better than it is for beer.

I go a couple places where they give it away. The bartender still likes to serve me refills because I tip for every one.

Good bars want good wait staff, and part of what keeps them around is good tips. I usually tip near-100%, or about 35% if I eat a meal. I want good service, and I want karaoke to stick around. So I *want* to pay.

It looks to me that volume level of the music makes a difference over time:

I've been to karaoke where the sound volume was so loud that it basically prevented people from talking. Over time, the soda drinkers out-numbered the alcohol drinkers. (and the KJ was half deaf)

On the other hand, there are the karaoke places where the volume level is a bit lower and people can carry on conversations. They tend to be about 75% listeners / drinkers, and 25% singers... some of the singers drink, some don't.

Personally, I don't drink much but make up for it with food or paying for each soda. I like the $5 token idea better than paying per song.

 :)  Randy

I agree with Lonman on the free refills.... I can't say I've ever been to a bar that gives free refills on pop. As a matter of fact... when there's drink specials, the highballs are often cheaper than a glass of coke!

The only place I've seen free refills on pop is at a restaurant, but a bar? never!

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Bar owners will never get it.   They are their own worst enemy.  Nothing in this world is free.    And if it's free in your business, you will soon be out of it.

One more tip...don't ever work off the cash register tape if they give away free refills.

It makes it LOOK like YOU can not draw a crowd.   No cash coming in...you always get the blame.   Must be a bad KJ..  That's what the bar owner is thinking.. or boy this karaoke thing doesn't work.


From now on ...i'm making it my business policy to not work for any bar that gives away free refills on the night i'm going to be there.    Just because of the way they will preceive me and my business.   I'm not working my tail off for them to give away the house and then use me as the excuse for not making enough money.    Why am i there???   To make the bar money.  If they give away all the profits, what good is having any entertainment???

I like Lonman's $5 token idea.  It makes sure the bar gets some compensation, and means I can spend the money how I want.  I usually have one or two drinks, that is it.   I'm a steady customer at the places I go and have been for quite awhile.

At $5 (drink token) a head all night, how many heads before they even pay the KJ?

Most bars can't hold that many people.

You are obviously in the Seattle area - with your moniker?  Where about?

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That's not the issue, it would show the patrons that they just can't be in there for free, you WILL spend something that night be it $5 vs nothing, those that planned on spending anyway won't have a problem, those that were planning on freeloading will find another place or start spending - either way it helps the bar.  

You just can't take any idea and think of anything positve to say about can you?  This forum is for sharing ideas, & quite frankly you basically shoot down just about everything from anything anyone suggests or mentions.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Rainier Beach/Skway area

If your bar or clubs profits depend upon soda prices or coffee sales then I actually feel sorry for you. We make money with food and cocktails. A soda is  a drop in the bucket.. Do you actually work in  successful bars?

As a club mngr or bartender I never did monitor who was drinking what unless they had too much in which case I cut them off. If that is owners attitude or staffs attitude I would not work there...

If you are homeless we will buy you a meal. If you need a drink we will buy you one. If you need coffee or a soda ask Paul.. Are you people nuts or what?  JFC....

If I to have come to your gigs and get drunk then CYA I will not come to your gigs....

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You do realize the $5 is just to get into the door and doesn't actually provide free drinks for the rest of the night?  The bar will make money the same way it always does, the door token just weeds out the extreme cheapos.