Karaoke Forums

We have a nice Bar/Steakhouse near our place here in Reno...stumbling distance from home. When the new owners took it over..we tried to talk them into Karaoke.
They are seriously thinking abount it now..finally.
They are getting the KJ from a place that is going under (i hear he has a good following).

My question is...What is your opinion the the revenue affect that Karaoke has on a Bar/Restaurant?
I'm sure there are many variables and conditions.
I'll let Y'all know how it turns out for them...

I actually specialize in restaurant/bars rather then taverns or large clubs. If done correctly it can be a huge boon to the venue.

By correctly, I mean not just running a good show, but timing it properly- AFTER main dinner service. 9:00 - 10PM.

HOW does it add? Here's an example.

I worked at a very nice Mexican restaurant for several years. Before I got there, they usually closed within an hour or so of the end of dinner service- 10:30-11PM.

By hiring me, and timing it for the end of dinner, it became almost a change of shifts.

Yes, many dinner patrons stayed, continuing to spend, but they also got a whole new crowd coming in after dinner- fresh money to be spent. So not only did we keep a spending crowd in longer ( the diners), we also had a whole new shift that stayed until 2:30 AM! An extra 3 1/2 - 4 hours of a full spending house! BIG bucks!

Now, the caveat. I do NOT recommend karaoke during service unless there is a separate lounge area. THAT can lose the customers that came strictly to eat.

As a side note: These venues are terrific for Karaoke Hosts. Generally Better behaved customers than a straight tavern, Able to pay top dollar, and way less work than big clubs. It also seems to me that building regulars is easier.

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"No Contests, No Divas, Just A Good Time!"

" Disc based and loving it..."

You're right about the many variables. Right off the top of my head:

1. Competition. How much karaoke is in the area and how good is it?
2. Is the bar busy now?
3. Is this guy any good? Have they checked out his show?

I would advise them not to sign any long term contracts if they want to try it out. They won't be out much to just give it a shot. Results may be modest, spectacular, or nothing. My home room went from being a quiet unknown out of the way place to a full busy bar. But that was because of an unusual set of circumstances.... variable number one being the primary reason. There was (and is) karaoke around this area but no one was catering to my age group, and as it turned out there was a lot of pent up demand for what we do.

Stress the fact that it will take time to build up business. In these lean times, many places that have never considered karaoke may begin considering it as a quick and easy way to keep their doors from closing. Having never had karaoke before, they may not be aware of how long it takes to build up business. Perseverence is the key. Even the best hosting company, beginning in a new place on a new night, requires adequate time for the word to spread.

I really don't think there is a "BEST" karaoke company. But I do think there is a Karaoke hosting company that can "best fit your needs" as a club owner. Not all karaoke companies are designed the same (Library, Host or host's equipment, etc).
In todays time it takes a long time to build a karaoke customer to a "new" location, not an exsisting location adding entertainment.
I don't know how to do polls on this forum but they should do a poll now to find out how long it takes to establish a karaoke club. For our company back in 89 when the fields had not been plowed it was instantainous to build a karaoke club, eight years ago it took six weeks for us to establish a karaoke club. 3 years ago in started taking 6 months to build a solid karaoke venue. NOW before everyone one says I can do it faster, I'am not talking about the immeadiate curosity factor and added promotiional expense to push or pull the bodies through the door. I am talking about an establishment which performs on a day to day operation without pushing to hard on the promotion side and the newness is gone. The last club we did up in PDX took us 1 year to stabalize and that is with four new clubs (owners) directly next door trying to compete. I'm not saying our Karaoke company is the "BEST" but our company fits the location we are at. Now there is a new club getting ready to open this will be No. 5 in the last year and a half. Even though we compete with the karaoke pirate companies with over 100,000 songs they bought off ebay we still manage to stay in business with our little libraries of karaoke music.

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CHECK YOUR ATTITUDE AT THE DOOR, STICK AROUND YOU JUST MIGHT HAVE SOME FUN

As for timing, I would consider starting earlier (in a Restaurant Setting)... Let's say the Kitchen stops serving at 10 PM. I would consider staring the Karaoke at 9 PM. This way, the people that are coming for the Karaoke may also decide to order food (before they stop serving). My general exposure to KJs that have hosted a show in a Restaurant (with full bar service) has been that the music and Mics are softer in volume (so as not to disrupt the regular Diners from having normal dinner conversation). Once the dinner crowd is gone, the KJ usually pumps up the volume.

There are two local karaoke "companies" that focus on restaurants.

Their reasons for doing so:

- They start, on average, at 7pm, so they are done by 10 or 11

- No drunks, no vulgarities during the karaoke

- These are small venues where they do (EDIT: DO NOT) need to take big rigs, something like my Passport works just fine, and in both cases the KJ's are women who appreciate an
"easy in/easy out"

- Karaoke devotees will add to the dinner "take" (an indeterminable figure), but unlike a bar they definitely can't get away without spending at least $15. As to what Karaoke can add in specific number of $$$$, that is NOT quantifiable. Before even "hazarding" a guess, one would have to know the seating in the venue. And even with more info, how can anyone determine the number of people who will actually show up? And even if we knew how many would, what if they don't like the place?

In a couple of instances the karaoke/restaurant "following" grew to the point where the restaurant had to accept reservations.

The real question is: how many people will learn about the place because of karaoke and come back to eat on days when there isn't any karaoke? That is what is the "icing on the cake" for "restaurant" karaoke!

Lastly, I get the sense that the local place that is closing down is a BAR as much as it was a restaurant, while the "new" place is more of a restaurant? My point? If that's the case you may not be able to predict how much of the KJ's following will go to the new place

We eat early in the country, so our two best dinner shows run from 7-12 on Sunday and Thursday. A lot of people eat during the show, though.

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Joe about 4 years ago I as burned out on karaoke only and large rotations of drunks. I changed my format and cater to dinner crowds but I play dinner music for 30-45 minutes before the regular show.We often have reserved birthday parties and cater to them also. Karaoke during the first hour or 2 is minimal but later turns into pure karaoke. We run a very fast paced show. At any time we can cater to any type of crowd and do not need huge rotaitons I also have non singers REGS at the bar that I have known for 10 years or more. They know more about karaoke than a lot of folks here.

My format repels some of the hard core singers which is fine. They do not socialize and the crowd doesnt like them. They too got tired of the same old songs week after week.

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Thanks for all the helpful input.
Yes..this IS more of a restaraunt than a bar...and they have a nice roomy banquet area separate from the main dining area.
I agree..keep the volume low during dining hours..and start the show with some overlap (between dining and karaoke) to get some exposure to the diners to stay..and for the regular karaoke customers to come early and eat.
I will pass this info along to the owners...hopefully the show will be a success.
I'll let you know.

A man after my own heart. I too, have regular non-singers who come to watch, listen, and socialize. You are right about the lack of need for huge rotations in these venues, which is why they are so much easier than big clubs. Restaurants also seem to have a bit more intimate atmosphere which promotes socializing and making friends. These people then come back not just to sing, but to spend time with their "Karaoke Family".

Don't you just love the lack of loud vulgar drunks and people bouncing off of your equipment? I've never been happier.

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"No Contests, No Divas, Just A Good Time!"

" Disc based and loving it..."

Yea but the owner built a separate room and wanted to shift to a 9P start. Its more karaoke now..

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For me, even better! Honestly, straight DJ work puts me to sleep. I prostitute myself and do some DJ events, but it's Karaoke that makes me smile....

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"No Contests, No Divas, Just A Good Time!"

" Disc based and loving it..."

There is a Pizza Hut/Wingstreet that handles karaoke. Aside from "self-editing" or no profane songs at all until later hour, the business has picked up. And thanks to their Jonas Bros, HSM, Hannah catalogs, the kiddies are singing after their dad does his country songs.

But it is hard to get up to sing while finish eating a chicken wing the same time.