Karaoke Forums

I see no post made at 12:53. I see one made at 10:53 in which you state 'just about all' restaurants serve alcohol (beer/wine).
SO I ask you again, DOES YOURS? If yes, that again have no point as I stated that restaurants that DO NOT serve alcohol typically don't fare well with karaoke!

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Different scenerio, big difference in doing a private party, than a regular weekly (or whatever) gig. I have done private parties in restaurants several times - not what i'm talking about.

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

You are correct, HOWEVER just to clear it up. These are a regular weekly gig, they have private parties 3 to 4 days a WEEK, with the exception being in the summer. So it is considered a weekly gig! I am just the ONLY party entertainment option. They can opt NOT to use me, but they very seldom do.

Understood, but still not at all what i'm getting at. A private party already has it's people that are going to be there, it isn't relying on people coming in off the street for the night.

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Lonman

Your comment about alcohol and restaurants has no basis in fact, probably anywhere, but surely not around here. I can make the statement, just as easily, about other variables that come into play, such as: The first attempt at introducing karaoke to an establishment is often unsuccessful because no one truly knows what to expect and most venue owner think the karaoke host is going show up with a mob of people. So, they don't spend a dime on promoting it!

You admittedly know nothing about karaoke at restaurants. It can be as successful as karaoke anywhere else, and alcohol is NOT a factor. The menu, the quality of the food, prices, ambiance, location, and the karaoke show itself are the factors for restaurant karaoke around here! People go to the restaurants, primarily, because they can eat while enjoying karaoke. If that weren't so, they have other options as to where they can find karaoke!

And if people don't enjoy the place, since they realize that they are expected to buy something from the menu, they're not likely going to come back (unless they've learned how to order nothing)! When someone goes to a bar and orders a bottle of Bud, they know what they are getting. When someone goes to a restaurant and orders a dish of food, they have know way of knowing what they'll be served until it arrives!

So the food and the show are THE factors. The alcohol purchases are insignificant in many of the venues I have described, particularly those that serve only wine. Also, of course, not much alcohol being consumed at either of the two coffee houses!

In short, it is what it is, and nothing anyone can say will change it. And I stand by the various descriptions I have provided over the years that have touched upon karaoke in S Florida at venues other than bars! None of the information I have posted in this thread is new; I have shared it all in different threads on various and related topics since I joined the forum!

But, as was once pointed out by both Ollie and myself, some people can only relate to what they know and can't visualize how things might be different elsewhere!

Alchohol does typically make a more successful karaoke venue than a place that does not serve that is offering karaoke. Yes there may be exceptions, but this is not what I was getting at & you yourself said that most of the restaurants down there serve alcohol - although you never stated whether your venues do or not. You really like to avoid answering questions but rather twist them to suit your needs.
That's why the karaoke company should promote. I always will and always have promote my own shows. The clubs don't always, you are correct. I am promoting my show so people will know about it, I will do internet ads, email my contacts (have over 1500 to date), use my MySpace (over 380 contacts on there to date), will take out a print ad in the local karaoke paper - or if they didn't have that, in the entertainment section of the local paper for the Friday previous with free giveaways with the mention of the ad, will make flyers & table tents if allowed by the establishment to advertise in house. I do not rely on the clubs to advertise a show. It is MY show, I will advertise it myself. If they happen to do something as well, even better.


Never once did I admit to anything. I said I have done them, the ones that served alcohol typically faired better & I also stated that they are uncommon up here because restaurants that serve no alcohol, karaoke will not work & those that have tried have failed & stopped the entertainment. But again, it may be all the rage where you are.


I go to karaoke to sing. I follow hosts and good shows. If they are playing in a place that I don't want to eat in, I won't eat. I will order a drink or two, if they offer that, otherwise probably will just be a soda & maybe an appetizer if they have something that looks appealing.
As far as coffee house, already said those do not work for karaoke and we have ALOT of coffee houses up here. I can think of only one right now that still offers karaoke, but only because they own their system as he is also a kj & set up a little system inhouse & offer kids karaoke every Sun afternoon, but even this doesn't bring anyone in really, I took my kids in there a couple times & there were maybe 10 people in the place with a cap of about 20, 4 kids singing, thest were working on their laptops & sipping an espresso drink. But the other nights they used to have it no longer do - why - it didn't bring anyone in.



Right, this applys to you as well!

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

It would probably be easier if we decided on one person who knows everything to just write each topic and all the replies? I thought the idea was each person stated their OPINION and then we all read them, take from them what we will based on our persepective, maybe broaden our horizons. No one is required to totally agree with any one person are they?

Even when I asked Lonman about equipment recomendations, I researched all of his suggestions and didn't necessarily do exactly as he said. But it gave me the info as to what to research and to make my decision based on our situation and finances. I know MickyJ would throw our mics at the wall if he came to our place but I have ceased feeling intimidated and get benefit from his experience where I can. I even find it a fun game to figure out what in the heck karyoker is saying sometimes. I have to channel Jim from Taxi to do it but its getting easier. I am certain that he would invite me to Greeley for a beer, then knock me off my barstool, then apologize when he realized I was a female.

"You take what you need and you leave the rest...."

leopard lizard,

I could not have said it better myself. I agree with you point of view here. Not one single person has all the answers, and we don't have all the answers collectively either. What will work in one place, might not work somewhere else. So as far as this subject goes? Where will karaoke NOT work? Who actually knows? Probably nobody. I used to be a produce manager for a grocery store, where I worked for several years. While I was there, I learned there is several ways of doing business. Not just one. One area might like greens and okra, while another might not. Such is karaoke, one restaurant might work very well, while another might not. Does alcohol help? Not a definitive answer for that one either. It's a matter of peoples personalities and different walks of life. I live in an area where alcohol isn't as widely used as other areas. Even though I will admit, it helps in certain karaoke situations.

So, Joe is right, Lonnie is right, Joe is wrong,,,and yes,,,Lonnie is wrong. Are you confused yet??? Let's just all take a good look at how we do our jobs as hosts. If you have a great idea, and want to share, great. But don't expect it to work in other areas too. You might lose your end of the argument.

In the famous words of Rodney King, "Can't we all just get along?" Uhhh,,,,probably not, but at least try.

Scott

I have been following this thread and a few others all day during work. I found this topic particularly facinating because there are way too many variables involved to make a definite statement that karaoke wont work in a one place or the other. Is alcohol a contibuting factor in karaoke? More often than not. I have heard many people say they can't sing until they get a few beers in them. I have heard some sing and the more beers they got in them, the less they could sing! Never the less, yes, alcohol plays a big part in providing courage to the timid singer who is, for the most part, uncomfortable being in front of people.
Is alcohol necessary? No! I have listened to the argument on both sides regarding karaoke at resturants and whether alcohol was involved during the show. For some it was yes, for some the answer was no. Why? Because there are so many different things that determine what a business is wanting to gain by having karaoke in the first place. Let me give you a really far out example.
Most of you are probably tired of reading about my friend in Odessa, Texas who does a karaoke show at a mall. There are no alcohol sales. It is done out in the open area of the mall where anyone at any time can walk up and become part of the show. The show runs every Saturday night from 6:30 till the mall closes. There is no food sold, no drinks sold. The host has a totally different job running this show than any of you probably do in that she is not catering to the singers. Her job is to keep people in the seats listening and having a good time. It is all about the audience and putting on an entertaining show through karaoke. She has a huge rotation most every Saturday. Amazingly, according to her, she has the same people come back each week and then there is always someone new who wants to come join in.
She has a full stage, the same one that I do my shows on with a full band. There is a great sound system and I have no idea how many discs she has. She is not computerized, yet there is never a dull moment in her show. People laugh, clap, sing, dance, and have a great time, and let me remind you it is still karaoke (people putting in slips and getting up to sing) in a mall no less with no alcohol. Where won't karaoke work? How much imagination do you have? We are only limited by our abilities to sell ourselves to a perspective business as entertainers, kj's, dj's, etc.
Karoke wont work, when people quit working it! There is always a need for entertainment and people are always willing to pay for it. We just have to be smart enough to put the two together and give everyone what they want and need as entertainers, kj's, dj's, etc.
Hey! Sorry for taking so much time. I am just an entertainer! Put a guitar in my hand and show me to the stage! I don't even try to imagine I know how hard it is to do the job of the kj. You guys have my utmost respect. Thanks for listening!--Mike

By the way, just to put icing on the cake. I did not give you this information but let me do so. My friend will always have a crowd of 150 to 200 people at her shows. She never draws less than that. People walk down the mall to a vending machine, get a coke and come back to listen or sing. This is also her only source of income and basically her only show each week. She is paid very well for what she does.

By the way, just to put icing on the cake. I did not give you this information but let me do so. My friend will always have a crowd of 150 to 200 people at her shows. She never draws less than that. People walk down the mall to a vending machine, get a coke and come back to listen or sing. This is also her only source of income and basically her only show each week. She is paid very well for what she does.

In my case, it's in the restaurant, but we're kinda off track. It's not just a restaurant karaoke thread. It's about anyplace anyone thinks karaoke won't work.

Lon mentioned places with no alcohol. Though we really don't have them here- it's either served or BYOB, I can see his point. In many cases alcohol can be an aid to karaoke, and the lack a detriment.

Any other places?

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

" Disc based and loving it..."

I have done successful shows at coffee houses. I don't say it can't work without alcohol. I have done some rockin' non-alcoholic private events as well.

My comment really means that sometimes alcohol can loosen up newbies that may not sing otherwise..

Again this thread isn't about alcohol vs no alcohol.

I'll ask the question in the OP of you:

Eric, is there anyplace that YOU think karaoke won't work? Everyone else- THAT'S the question... So far, ONLY Lonnie has answered it. Does ANYONE else have any thoughts on what type of venue YOU BELIEVE may not work for karaoke? Please?

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

" Disc based and loving it..."

To clarify: I never asked for a definite statement. I'm not even asking if you have experience in the type of venue that you bring up. I am only asking for opinions- a guess- anything.

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

" Disc based and loving it..."

At someones grandmas funeral.....

Ok, that was in bad taste. Seriously though. The real question here is, is there anyplace that karaoke won't be profitable for the host? Karaoke will work fine anywhere there is a group of people. But for reasonable pay? Now, THATS the real question. I have seen karaoke in church functions, pizza parlors, weddings (of course), reunions, anniversaryies, birthdays, graduation parties,,,etc. You name it, karaoke will work, just as long as you have a group of people willing to sing. If the host is willing to work for free, or low pay, then anywhere is possible.

Ok i'll concede karaoke CAN work anywhere, but is it profitable everywhere might be the actual question!

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

No ONE person knows everything, I will even say that, every area has different needs. What works great in one area, may be death in another. I've never denied that, same with song selection, there is no right answer, what is hot in one club/area, may be a complete dust collector in another. Goes with ANY other topic as well.


Recommendations are just that! You take them or leave them, nothing more. I recommend on experience with equipment I have used and tried & not saying anyone HAS to use my recommendations or will be belittled if they don't, but know what I have used & can comment on & share my experiences with someone else! There are mistakes I have made in the past & have used tested equipment I wouldn't want others to make those same mistakes i've experienced. But then everyone hears different things so what may not work for me, may be perfect for someone else. That's the beauty of a 'discussion' forum!


Exactly!

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

I can say, for what it's worth, that in my area (Denver Metro), karaoke is only found in bars/pubs/bar&grill, etc. I haven't seen a single place that doesn't serve alcohol that has karaoke. Does the term "liquid courage" mean anything to you? I can accept that other areas may have "no alcohol" karaoke, but not here.

Nor here. Even though we have three or four successful restaurant gigs with 7:00pm starts and food served as one of the mainstays, there is always alcohol served.

The only non-drinking shows I have ever seen are at malls or libraries, and in this area these are one-offs or only last for a short period.

I do a regular once-monthly non-alcoholic gig at a state park, from May - Oct, but I do it for free and it would not fly if I charged even $100.00. I also do some church shows, also as a volunteer, but come to think of it a couple of those have had beer tents.

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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.

Karaoke CAN work anywhere other types of musical entertaiment in the past can work ... People are getting HUNG UP on the word RESTAURANT.
Upscale places which NORMALLY do not have LIVE entertainment would not be good for KARAOKE but ANY OTHER PLACE that offers live musical entertainment COULD sustain a Karaoke show.......

Karaoke CAN work in enviroments OTHER than ones in where its a TOOL to bring IN people... Karaoke can be a SERVICE that is hired for NURSING HOMES and COUNTY FAIRS and other similiar type of events ... just my $.02