It seems like every food and beverage establishment has some sort of musical entertainment for customers to enjoy, especially along the Jersey Shore beaches.
There are so many factors to be aware of when considering adding live entertainment to your dining scene. Aside from the fact that music is life and people naturally gravitate towards a good rhythm, it is also a great way to set the mood in your restaurant, whatever the mood you’re aiming for. It seems like every food and beverage establishment has some sort of musical entertainment for customers to enjoy, especially along the Jersey Shore beaches. Whether that entertainment be a violinist in the background at a quaint little French bistro, a Mariachi band weaving through tables at a Mexican cantina, or a full 5-piece band inviting diners out to the dance floor, sometimes it’s just what a restaurant needs to lift the energy and attract customers.
While offering entertainment could set your business apart from competitors and create a fun environment for your guests, restaurateurs should be wary of a few things before making any announcements. For smaller venues with limited space, adding a band where there are no tables for customers to comfortably listen to the music that is not next to the speakers is not a pleasant experience. RestaurantOwner also suggests putting the size of your budget into consideration before booking the entertainment for the evening. Better performers will be expected to be paid more regardless of how big a crowd draws in, so making sure you have the funds to dole out for a live performance is important.
For those that have the space, right location, and permits (we’ll discuss that again later), it is encouraged to introduce live entertainment to your restaurant. WebRestaurantStore says that good, live music entices customers to stay longer and spend more money on food and drinks. It’s true! The right band can captivate your audience making them have trouble saying no to dessert and another round of cocktails. Passerby’s will also be more prone to stop in upon seeing all the excitement going on inside.
Choosing the right entertainment for your restaurant may be the most difficult part of the process, but worth it once you find your fit. It is imperative to do your research to ensure that the performer has a good reputation, acts professionally, and will provide customers with the experience they are looking for. You don’t have to limit the performers to live music either. Comedians, poetry readers and storytellers are other unique options according to PJPOnline that have proven to be successful for many businesses.
In terms of permits, this could get a little tricky. If music is your preferred form of entertainment, make sure you have the necessary licensing to comply with copy write statutes before pressing play. There could be major repercussions for playing music without having the proper permits to do so. According to Restaurant.Org, restaurants should pay a fee to the Performing Rights Organizations for a blanket license that grants permission to use all of the music tech organizations represents, and they will distribute the fees and less operating expenses to their affiliated songwriters, publishers, and composers as royalties. Sounds confusing, but very important whether the music is being played live or from your computer.
Once you have selected and booked your entertainment, start promoting at least a week ahead of time. Let people know that you have something special planned for them and they can make a point to visit your restaurant that particular night. Check out our previous blog post for some suggestions on how to use social media to promote your business for other tips as well.
About the Author: Courtney Ciandella has been the sole Marketing liason for Bielat Santore & Company since 2013. She is also the conductor behind the Who’s Who in the Restaurant Industry and Restaurant Tip of the Month series.
