Karaoke Forums

Due to the economy and trying to be competitive I've been restructuring and grouping party and wedding packages. The primary classification is number of guests. We do not want do weekly gigs at bars but will do special events or parties at bars.

It stands to reason that if a bar owner wants us for one night the rate should be determined by seating capacity. It is his responsibility to fill the seats, ours to entertain and keep them there.

Below 75 $60/hr (reduced competitive rates)
75- 125 $85/hr
125 plus $125/hr

What do you think of this idea? If you were to establish hourly rates in your area how would they compare to these? Do you have reduced rates for week nights?

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if I underdstand ....we are talking private parties - KARAOKE not dj ?
no wedding etcs ----plain old PARTY ?
if so for a 4 hr party
$300 -small
$450 -medium to large
$600 - very large

something like that

Jam my party prices are different Im talking about bar prices for occasional gigs.

Im still working on the page and packages but here is my basic prices.

quotes

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I have a set bar price and set party price reguardless of the size. Take me or leave me.

Makes it sound like the quality of the show changes with the venue size. Small bar/party cheaper quality show. Bigger bar/party better quality show.

The difference in quality between a small birthday party and a huge formal wedding is immense. The wedding requires more hosting talent, more gear or a better sound system and better knowledge of the system. The wedding demands are more of a professional nature.

Perhaps these criteria cannot be applied directly to typical bar type venues but can be used as a bargaining tool in bidding for larger venues. As stated earlier I am no longer interested in the obligation of small venues on a weekly basis but will do them if available. The hosting quality or sound quality will be at peak and the prestige or pride in putting on a good show is always the same but the requirements are different and so should be be the pricing. I am thinking out loud but it makes sense to me....

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$60-125 an hour for a bar gig?

I don't know any bar that is going to pay $240-$500 for a 4 hour karaoke show.

The average here in my town (Tampa Bay area, FL) is $125 for a 4 hour karaoke show ($31.25/hr). I make $175 for my 4 hours ($43.75/hr) and am the 2nd best paid in town that I know of. Even for spot gigs, I couldn't name any bar in my town of 2,000,000 people that would pay $500 for a 4 hour karaoke show. The karaoke guys on the Vegas strip or Bourbon Street don't make that.

Now, that is about my pricing for weddings/private parties. But I think when you are talking about bar gigs, even occational bar gigs, you are going to find that you are pricing yourself out of the job. Especially if you are going to tell them that they are responsible for filling the seats. Now, we all know that is the reality of the situation, but bar owners certainly don't want to hear that from their perspective entertainment!

Bar owners generally aren't going to pay you any more than they pay their regular karaoke guy or their afternoon acoustic guitar cover-song guy. And you'll find that that is going to be about $100-150 for a 4 hour show.

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C Mc
KJ, FL

I think we are mixing apples and oranges !!!

I think he is asking about a 1 night BAR PRICE???

Our bar fees will vary depending on a) the day of the week and b) the length of time the venue is willing to commit to, and c) lagniappe that sweetens the deal.

They'll run from $150 a night to $250.

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Dave's not here.

My confusion is:
If you're doing a 4 hr gig regardless of the quantity of people, how can you charge more for more people? No matter the number of guests, you'll still only be able to fit in the same amount of singers. It's not like every guest will get something to base your increase. I do understand a cost increase for a bigger event if you need to bring more equipment because of the large room you'll be in, but not something like a per person charge.
And what others are saying, I agree, it sounds like your pricing yourself out of the gig from a regular bar KJ the event planner has a clue on charges.

Yes I have done bar gigs for over 10 years. I know what the rates are. My min is $150. I will say again. I do not want to be tied down or obligated at $150 every week when I want to be open for more lucrative gigs. I am not asking or debating about prices. I am determining a fair and competitive pricing structure.

Question?? Your prices are the same for a seating capacity of 75 as a night club with a seating cap of 250? If they are you are not getting he big gigs because you are not asking enough.

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10 + years, you sound bar burnt out.

Nothing wrong with chasing bigger better things and keeping it fresh for yourself.


Good luck

I would answer this way.... If it was a very large venue which requires more equipment ... I would charge more .
If it was a large venue and I thought they were willing and or capable of paying a little more ... I would ask for it . Theer are too many variables that go into determining a fair price. TIME / EQUIPMENT NEEDED / DISTANCE AND TRAVEL TIME. But for arguments sake
4 hour
normal size show $150-$200
Large SHOW - $200-250

I really don't see any one getting more than $250 for 4 hours at a bar or club for Karaoke

Mine was simple until I moved from New England to AZ.

For 4-5 hours:

One night $250
Two consecutive nights $225 (each night)
Three (or more) consecutive nights $200 (each night)

Do I get that here? NO! The going rate is $150 - $175. These rates I offer as discounts to American Legions and VFWs, but it's the MAX for any of the local watering holes around these parts.

So now for me, it's not what I charge, rather what I'm willing to accept.

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EveningStar Entertainment & Events
JR & Michele LaPorte
Peoria, AZ

JR that is why we have to offer more and come up with a structered price plan. The old ways and formats do not compete anymore. These are the things we should be discussing not presenting arguments for the old ways. In my fashion I will get new ideas and keep this thread in a positive mode.

$150 here is overpriced and quality

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I think it's a can of worms.
I can already see an owner saying that they'd prefer to do it by actual head counts and NOT "chairs in the room." Would it include an outdoor patio? (in the winter?)

Pretty soon the whole arrangement turns into a big taxi meter;

"Well, we had 50 people for the first hour, ($60) then it went to 100 for only half an hour ($47.50?) then the rest of that hour it was only 60 again ($30?) but it never really got over about 85 people on average."

If I was a club owner, I'd never agree to a fee based on seating capacity.

Well, one of my venues pays me $250.00 plus drinks for a 3 and a half hour show. I originally charged $225.00 with no drinks for a 3 hour show but he gave me a $25.00 raise (I didn't even have to ask for it!) and then we extended the show by a half hour and he threw the drinks as payment for that.
It all depends on where you are and what the demand is for your services. Thankfully, we haven't been over saturated here and the pirates have not taken over. There just isn't the market for it. Although the hard drives are easy enough to come by and are relatively cheap enough, I think the cost of sound equipment puts a stop to it. Not many people around here have their own rigs, and even bands tend to rent their equipment, rather than lay out a ton of bucks.

OK, I'm not quite sure what you're going for here then.

Did I sound argumentative? Or Negative? Neither were my intentions.

You asked a question based on the changing economy, to which I responded factually. My point being, the economy not only changes with time, but with geography as well. And the fact is that I can't demand here what I used to there.

Therefore what one wants to charge is not necessarily what the local economy can support. consequently, at this time I'll charge as much as they will pay; minimum being $150 for four hours.

If I'm reading you correctly, your "$150 here is overpriced and quality" I agree if that is an hourly rate. The $150 I spoke of is for a four-hour gig (not per hour) which equates to $37.50. I noticed TopherM did similar math for this as well.

So again, I guess I just missed your point. Sorry

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EveningStar Entertainment & Events
JR & Michele LaPorte
Peoria, AZ

Bar gig, private party, or wedding we bring the same equipment. We have a basic price for a four hour show for private events. If the client wants extras, then it is negotiated at the time when the event is booked. Set up and tear down takes the same amount of time. The show is the show. For weddings there are the father-bride dances, etc but not a big deal. They provide the music for the dance and we play it. We have a reputation that once we are booked for a wedding recetion or private party, that portion is never worried about for the remaing part of the organization.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

I have diff price packages. I do NOT bring the same equipment to each gig. Depends on the package. The obvious is lights. If they want lights and fog, it bumps up. I will charge extra for the extra lyrics monitor. If all they want is straight karaoke, no lights, no bells and whistles, all they get is my music, my hosting skills, my 2 mains and a sub and the solo 13" lyrics monitor.
My overtime is structured and has two prices. The price per half hour for an up front order, and the price within 7 days or during the gig.

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KingBing Entertainment C'mon Up! I have a song for you!!! [font=MS Sans Serif][/font]

OK When you want to make a living at this and provide a good alternative entertainment package come to Colorado. This thread was not started as an ego trip but was started to discuss different price plans and ways to compete with the bottom feeders.. I do speak english and at times can express myself very articulately. If you read something else in this thread then you are mistaken. I am sorry I even bothered.

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