Live Music in Your Restaurant?
Live music is widely considered to be a good selling point in a restaurant, as long as you are careful about what type of music you have.
Live music is a great way to offer something a little bit special in your restaurant. After all, how many times have you paid £9 for a bowl of pasta in a restaurant and thought ‘I could make that better at home for about a pound?' By offering good live music, your customers will know that they are getting added value in your restaurant, a real night out that offers them something more than dining at home.
Finding Musicians
First of all, you need to think about what style of music will suit your restaurant and where to find suitable musicians. Don’t worry about being too themed – as long as you are not having tribute bands and hen night evenings, a little theme is no bad thing. Customers love to have ‘nessun dorma’ gently in the background when tucking into a pizza. Of course, if you are going for a really high end clientele, be careful that you do not alienate your customers by having cheesy music. As a rule of thumb, you need to be able to easily talk to and hear your dining companion over the music.A good way to find decent local musicians that will compliment your restaurant is to see what other restaurants in your local area are doing. You may also find that once you have had live music in your restaurant, musicians and duos will contact you and ask to play. Pay the going rate – usually around £150 - £300 for a duo for one or two 45 minute sets – and give them a main course and a beer or glass of wine.