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Sat we were packed out as usual Two college students had a large table reserved in celebration of getting engaged. A birthday party brought in maybe 10 former customers from a previous gig. A good estimation of the till would be $2500.

In a very rare occasion I bought 2 chicken sandwiches and 4 shots of scnaps. I had always thought my bar tab was $25 but was informed it's only $20. At payout I was informed I had exceeded my tab and owed them an additional $8.47. I was livid and still am.

Sun morn I called the owner and enquired about the prices The sandwiches are $7.71 after taxes. The shots are $3.50 (for scnaps?). Opinions? Before you give me a business is business speech what about the many times I didnt even eat? It is something so foreign to my philosophy I am not sure how to resolve the situation or even approach the owners.  I come from a rural background whereby if you have employees you feed them a hot lmeal.

Bottom line is it eroded a good working relationship and fidelity and dedication to that venue.

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This depends on the owner...I've never heard of paying for drinks, anywhere I've worked, which is only like 5 different bars...but I don't know of it anywhere else in the area of anyone that has too either!  Till this last place, I started off having to pay 1/2 price for drinks....which as you say, I was livid.  Now after complaining for 9mths, I got a $25 per night tab..which 8 out of 10 times is more than enough.  Off and on I can get food for free too, but it's not a certainty...depends who pays me, whether they figure out that in the tab or not.  My new place I just started at, it was never a question...he promised me free drinks when I was working for him..whatever I wanted.  Not even a issue, very nice.  I totally understand your point...I too would be livid, you would expect a general business man to 'waive' something of such a small nature.....now if u were buying everyone drinks and stuff and going over by $50 per night, that's different.  Very fine line.  Best to talk with owner and suggest to up the tab to $25 and let him know you weren't very happy with having to pay for a lousy sandwhich....when more often than not...you don't use all of your tab.
MrD

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[highlight=midnightblue]MrD - KJ/DJ Specialist
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Employee discounts vary widely and can be on all things, some things, or nothing. I currently get free food only in one room, a job I play music in, and that's only up to $10. Most, but not all, give some kind of a break on drinks. All rooms give me coffee and pop free.

This is really not worth the hassle of going nuts over. But it would tell me a lot about the philosophy of the room regarding employees and would put me on guard in all areas of my work there. Just a head's up.

Like many disputes it's all about the communication and the understanding of the agreement.  If the agreement is you have a $20 allowance for food and drinks ... I guess you exceeded that amount and should have no gripe of paying  the overage you spent.   That's a black and white situation which is not open to disussions.

Now I guess if you feel based on history and you probably doing more than is expected and maybe working overtime for free etc etc etc that the bar should OVERLOOK the additional $8 ... That would be nice ... but should not be expected.

You say you expect a HOT MEAL ... it seems you got one but exceeded the alloted amount of $20.  ( maybe your  tab should be at COST and not the inflated bart prices)

In this area a bar or cafe will give a meal and shift drink to all employees or contractors including the swamper who cleans up after closing.

Sometimes I get frustrated with this forum and get drunk and make drunk posts. But as always with this forum a "mole" can be solved with a meeting of the minds. Jam it is  the $3.50 per shot that pisses me off. By next Sat I will be cooled off and in a business sense and approach all in a professional manner. At the time I was tired and just paid it. Whew!!!!

BTW At a gig I seldom have one shot let alone two!!! I bought my host and me a sandwich AND two shots. We have been at this gig for about seven months and with the celebration I splurged and extended the golden rules.

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As a Restaurant owner and KJ at the same time, I see both sites here, but this answer is the best so far to this situation.  The deal was $20 free tab, that you exceeded. So yes, I would make you pay that, too. Might not be politically correct, considering that you sometimes didn't even used your free allowance at all, but still the fact remains, deal is deal.

Oh and by the way.... $3.50 for a shot is not expensive. At our place, shots start at $4.50 and go as high as $10.00 depending on what it is.

At the gigs I have played here, I have recieved free drinks. One bar/resturant gave me the drinks at staff prices, But all the rest were free. That is out of 10 years in the business. But I get that as an understanding up front.

Your bar honoured the deal you agreed to. I wouldnt complain.......

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Shots at our place start at $4.50 per as well.  I know Schnapps run for $5.50 per.

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Technically you are not a bar employee.  You were hired to perform a service.

I only drink Pepsi so it's not a big deal to get a few free during the night.   Most bar owners would gladly comp pop.

If i eat before (once in a while) or during (very rare) a show i would expect to pay for it.

I have seen KJs that could literally drink $50-100 per night.  They were buying for themselves and friends and family.

Your fee is the price you expect from them.   The agreement doesn't include food and drink.  If it does then that price shloud be deducted from your fee.   It's nice if you get an appreciative bar owner to comp you once in a while.  I have had it happen.  But i don't make a weekly or monthly habit of it.  And i don't order expecting it.


MAYBE they don't want your drunk a$$ (meaning any KJ) working there.    I wouldn't be comping my KJ free unlimited alcoholic drinks if it lead to him putting on a bad performance.   I wouldn't have a KJ that insisted on drinking all night, period.   Act like a professional and don't drink.   I personally think it sets a bad example for the KJ to drink on the job.   But that's just me.   I have heard of KJs that get rowdy after drinking.

Last night after the last song a fight broke out.   One guy got pummeled.   Blood everywhere.  People that tried to break it up got hurt too.    It didn't effect me so i stayed clear.    But a KJ that has been drinking that gets involved with an altercation could be putting the bar owner at risk too.    KJ and bar owner could be sued.  If you're drunk you are pretty much guilty.   You have no defence.

sidewinder

Is it a habit of yours to leave a word out of a sentence? I know the bar business in and out and have contracted to bars in many professional vocations.

Here is the original statement..

In this area a bar or cafe will give a meal and shift drink to all employees or contractors including the swamper who cleans up after closing.

If you must argue or belittle then please include all the facts think before posting and get all your ducks in a row!! If this is the attitude you present as a host I would not hire you or attend your shows...

Sat we had a scuffel too. But our security is a former navy seal..

Maybe you should consider swamping as a living.

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Shots up this way are $4-8.  Domestic beers are $2.50.  When I first started my gig I was receiving a discounted price on beer ($1.75 a piece).  Now, the bartenders pick up my tab altogether, so I never pay for drinks.  I do pay for my food, but for the 5-6 beers the girls buy me twice weekly, I say big whoop.

Holy crap. In a few years when I reach the age of 75 I will be doing shows for drinks too. It will still be the best show in town. And doing the swamping. I am sitting here laughing so hard I am crying!!

When I first went into a bar draft was !a nickel a glass. Burgers were 25 cents cheese and chips a nickel extra.


Just buy my gas to and from!!

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Responsible business owners (independant contractors, sub contractors, ma & pa business owners, swampers) aren't on the job drinking.   And worrying about all they can get for free.  

Your job is KJing.    He pays you for it.    You deliver.

I don't hire roofers or plumbers and expect to feed and drink them on my dime.

You came here to work, bring your own lunch.   Or charge less and then we'll think about providing lunch.    

How do you figure you are entitled to anything free and get mad about not getting it?

They are in business to make money.  That doesn't include the entertainment, sign painter, garbage man, street sweeper, tax collector, beer distributor, plumber, roofer, passers-by, employees and the homeless from eating and drinking up all the profits.

OK kid tell me all about it. The more you post the more you reveal your inexperience.

Here is my show Where is yours?

Ollie Smith
Cabaret Karaoke

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karyoker,
Don't waste your time or efforts with this putz. He has no show, or if he does, it's probably on another planet or in another dimension, or in his mind....nope....blank venue there. As far as the original post goes, what I do is make the drinks part of my contract, to include making sure they carry the type of beer I drink (Becks). It hasn't been a problem for any of the owners to give me as many beers as I want. Plus, I always allow people to buy me a drink if they want too. Good for the bartender/waitress (tip) and the owner (sales). Plus, I always give the waitress a tip BEFORE I start the show so she can "keep 'em comin"without me having to track her down and take her away from tipping/paying customers. As far as food goes, I always eat before I leave for my show, but there have been times when food was offered, and I just have it packed up to eat when I get home. Just my  :2cents:  :handshake:.

                  Donny "B"    

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So you order food at the end of the night, hoping they give it to you free so you don't have to make your lunch the next day???  :shock:


Do you go early for fan photo opts and autograph signing?

If your name was Sinatra as Frank, you may get you tab comped.

You, as i, as everyone else on here are "no names putzs."   We have no Rock Star status.

I don't expect anything for free.  And i wouldn't hire a KJ that thought he should get everything and anything free.  

I get free drinks.  2-3  Pepsis' a night.  Some nights i bring my own if they only serve Coke.

I respect my job and my business reputation.  Therefore i don't and won't drink on my jobs.   And i don't mooch (dumptser dive) for food.

A $20 tab is pretty generous.  We get free fountain pop (or soda as you call it down there) and an employee discount  for food.  We want alcohol we pay for it (but we never drink on duty).   Where we're at bar staff pay for food at staff discount.  Draft around here ranges from $3.00-$4.40 with shots about the same, higher in the "better" places.

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When I  do parties  and they supply food I am very gratefulfor good food.



When the rotation is full and not singing I constantly get requests to sing. Do You?



All of my singers have a rock star status. When I or my host sing it lifts the crowd energy 100%



I provide the best service in the northern colorado area. I do not work for handouts but do expect the normal perks.



Son it is obvious that you do not respect your elders or heed the advice of someone that has been down those roads before. Your attitude is of a typical teenager sitting on the other side of a kitchen table and rolling your eyeballs.

I repeat where is your show?

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WoW sideWHINER. Now you've got 2 warnings.  :clapper:  How did I miss that?  :shock: Evidently I must of been doing something more important....like working a show...for free drinks,  and food..when offered, plus my salary  per the contract. It's all included. Now YOU on the other hand, don't have to worry about experiencing any of that because you DON'T have a venue , you DON'T host or DJ or KJ , you DON'T have a life . You DO have 2 warnings and you've only been here for what...a little over three months ? Give it a rest little dog...I mean "Big Dog"...I mean sideWHINER. You're nothin'...nobody...a fool and a phony. It must be nice to be so full of one self. All you have to do is give us all a chance to see one of your "many venues" that you keep boasting about. Let us check out your "better than anybody's around" system. Let us decide if you really can "walk the walk", rather than just talk. Until then, you have no credibility. None. zero, nada. Everytime you "respond" to some one in your "patented" style..it make me want to  :puke: !! What I posted was in direct reponse to what irked karyoke. AND, I agree with everything said, and unsaid, in regards to YOU!! With that......have a nice day.

                                   Donny "B"    8)

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It's a wonderful life!!

Tim... does that include BUDWEISER??? (ducking for cover)!!!!!