Venue not allowing Karaoke?

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DJ Ricky B

DJ Extraordinaire
Mar 9, 2015
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So I had a corporate holiday party organizer reach out to me for a quote on Karaoke for 3 hours during lunch time on Monday 12/10 at a what U would describe as a :higher end mid priced" restaurant. It's not like Ruth Chris expensive, but more expensive than a Long Horn Steak House or TGI Fridays for example. About 50 to 60 guests. Now, I have done a Bar Mitzvah at this restaurant in the past...About 5 years back.

I gave her a quote, and did not hear anything from her since Thursday. I reached out today by Email, and she responds saying

"Thank you for reaching out. The venue will not allow Karaoke :( "


...Why would a venue/restaurant not allow for there to be any karaoke? ...I mean they do Bar Mitzvahs there, but no karaoke?

...It is a restaurant, and my only thinking is maybe they did not reserve the entire restaurant, or a section of the restaurant, and the management does not want other guests to be disturbed, but it's also a Monday, and this restaurant is not exactly a busy lunch destination. More of a night time and weekend destination.
 
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Seems more like a convenient blow-off ...

Certainly could be. I have not responded to her yet...Maybe I should ask if she is just blowing me off LOL

I could call the venue tomorrow and ask if they allow for DJ entertainment, more spcifically karaoke if my made up office party luncheon was to be held at their restaurant...
 
If they did not rent out the whole restaurant or didn't have a private room I can see it. Hey, my company does Karaoke but if was were eating in a restaurant and someone started doing karaoke I wouldn't be happy. The last corporate karaoke party I did was loud. A lot louder than if I was DJing and just playing music. Even if you try to keep the music and the microphone volume down with karaoke the people just get loud when they are having fun.
 
or it could be that the place just doesn't want karaoke. They have had those bad singers, and the management just doesn't want to deal with that.
Bars like bad singers .. it makes the other patrons drink more to compensate.
 
I could call the venue tomorrow and ask if they allow for DJ entertainment, more spcifically karaoke if my made up office party luncheon was to be held at their restaurant...

There's so many more things productive you could do with that time in the big scheme of things what does it matter either she's telling the truth or she's blowing you off either way you are not making money. It's not like you're going to call her up and call her on her lie if she is lying, at least I hope you wont
 
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I'll say it just might be that your price was something they weren't expecting to hear from you. Sometimes out of curiosity I ask what is the amount a potential client wants to pay. In a lot of cases it's so ridiculously low that I will laugh to myself and let them know that I can't do the job for that amount. Some will go up a bit and even then it's not enough for me to even think about starting my van up, let alone load it up with gear.

If you do as it was suggested and call the venue to see if they are telling the truth. If they are then you got your answer.
 
Adjd2ent has your answer.
No HBR property is going to let you do entertainment unless you rent out the entire space or a private room. Your loud and obnoxious singers will leave at the end of their 3 hour party. Annoyed patrons will leave forever, so from the restaurant's perspetcive - this is a client they would cut loose if the party demands a karaoke DJ.
 
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We can only guess as to their reasons. I would call the general manager and just get a direct answer. Just tell them you are seeking to understand their rationale and are not trying to change their policy. Maybe it is an issue with only a partial use of the facility but it could be something else.
 
If they did not rent out the whole restaurant or didn't have a private room I can see it. Hey, my company does Karaoke but if was were eating in a restaurant and someone started doing karaoke I wouldn't be happy. ...
Yeah, what he said.

There's so many more things productive you could do with that time in the big scheme of things what does it matter either she's telling the truth or she's blowing you off either way you are not making money. It's not like you're going to call her up and call her on her lie if she is lying, at least I hope you wont
...and what he said.
 
I enjoy karaoke .. the pay sucks, but they're usually fun.
 
I enjoy karaoke .. the pay sucks, but they're usually fun.
The pay only sucks if you submit to sucky pay.

I don't do more than a few events w/ Karaoke, annually, but I do not provide that service for sucky compensation.

Know your role, jahbroni!
 
I have had a lot sucess with Karaoke at the colleges & universities. The events usually during the week with some in Afternoon usually for just 1.5 to 2 hrs. Colleges pay well but you have to have current & ethnic music. Personally I actually enjoy karaoke now more than DJing. I just had a Holiday karaoke last night for evening students of all ages. I Started 15 minutes early and stayed half an hour later to get everyone on. With such a small group circulating between multiple events had I been playing music I would’ve definitely not had the same impact. At this college I have doing their Karaoke events since the late 90’s, I get flagged down walking on campus getting asked when the next event will be.
 
I've done karaoke at a lot of different restaurants and NEVER has it been done in any space that adjoins with regular dinner patrons.
In EVERY case the restaurant was closed for a private party or we were in a private function room.

No mentally sound restaurant owner/manager would allow you to impact their reputation by imposing karaoke noise upon their regular dinner crowd.
The same rule applies to DJs doing Holiday parties. There's also a very real liability risk related to alcohol and sexual harassment if you setup any kind of situation where a private event can co-mingle with your regular patrons.
 
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No mentally sound restaurant owner/manager would allow you to impact their reputation by imposing karaoke noise upon their regular dinner crowd.
Just yesterday completed a meeting with a WORLD RENOWNED restaurateur and can verify that very claim and the concern for other intrusive typical deeeeeejay habits.

The horrible reputation and selfish behavior of those that polute this craft is not minimal nor is it easily combatted and assuaged.
 
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I enjoy karaoke .. the pay sucks, but they're usually fun.


That is only true if you are like every other KJ out there, and don't differentiate yourself. There are many KJs out there in every urban market who are charging $1,800+ for 4 hours every Friday or Saturday they go out All the high end KJs command that kind of money. You can do it too, you just need to target the right clients. Master Social Media, and make quality videos of your gigs with all the great singers you make sound awesome, and have a high end set up.

Also, the high end KJs use dual 75 inch flat screens on Totems, luxury facades, and also have a video crew who film the singers, and can postvideos in real time to youtube and other social media outlets for them. Using a 19 inch flat screen is so 2009, and if you are using a tube screen on a old roller cart, you are way behind the times....

The great KJs are working in all the high end venues. If you aren't commanding this kind of money, it's because you are not doing what is necessary to attract quality clients who value a KJ. ...Also, the high end KJs all attend the National KJ Expo in Tightwad, Missouri! Look it up! There is definitely plenty of clients willing to pay top dollar for a Karaoke Jock. You just need to be better, and stand out from everyone else. If all you do is bring up singers and load the karaoke track, then you are the same as the $150 to $200 guys that are everywhere. Clients will spend $1,800+ on someone who is very talented because they are a better value than the $200 KJ...

It's all about creating a awesome experience for your client...

And if you have gotten this far into my post I want to let you know that I'm talking out of my Ass, and none of this is true. :)
 
Actually, I'd have to pay licensing to broadcast the singers, but I do everything else you mentioned ... :)
 
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