Thread: Private gigs in restaurants - how do you charge?

So this situation came up recently, and I was curious how dancers in other areas handle it. A restaurant in Philly occasionally calls around for a belly dancer maybe once a year for party.

The cook (and nephew of the owner) called Dancer A and said, "Oh, we are really busy on night X, can you come dance?" She quoted him the rate for a one off restaurant gig.

The owner called Dancer B and said, "Can you come dance on night x, we are hosting a party and the host will be paying you, what is your rate?" And she quoted him the private party rate, which is higher.

Dancer A got the gig and danced, and it was really positive - even though it was a private party (which she didn't know about until getting there, so it's not an undercutting thing), she didn't interact with the host at all, didn't even know who it was, and was in and out in a short amount of time.

For private events where restaurants approach dancers for special one off kinds of gigs where the customer is paying, how do dancers in your area charge? Do you charge the private party rate? The restaurant rate? How do you handle it? I'm sure this will come up again and want to make sure dancers in our area are doing what's generally accepted elsewhere.

If the customer is paying, I'd personally charge my regular private party rate. Wonder what others would do...

Private party rate, minus a VERY minimal discount if I'm a regular dancer at the restaurant (as a courtesy to the restaurant because it makes them look good and keeps them happy as my client if they can tell the customer they're getting them a 'deal')

however, what you're describing is a strange case. If the dancer can't tell the difference between having been hired for a private party and having been hired to dance there on a regular night, it's hard to justify a substantially higher rate, isn't it?

Originally Posted by Lauren_

however, what you're describing is a strange case. If the dancer can't tell the difference between having been hired for a private party and having been hired to dance there on a regular night, it's hard to justify a substantially higher rate, isn't it?

Exactly! And I'm not sure if the restaurant is really being honest - maybe they are really paying the dancer and don't want to say that for some reason(the owner handed the dancer the money at the end of the night), maybe they are taking a cut, who knows?

It is a difficult situation and I can share what I do.
First- I ask a lot of questions so I can really do my best to determine if the restaurant or the party is paying.
If it's a restaurant where I dance regularly or semi regularly for the restaurant, and the party client is paying I'd charge my party rate minus a tiny bit so the restaurant can choose to either pass on the savings to the client or take a cut. I honestly don't mind which they choose and I tell them as much. Either way they know I'm doing them a favor and supporting their business.
If it's a restaurant where I dance regularly or semi-regularly and the restaurant is paying- I'd be most likely to charge more than my regular restaurant rate as I am aware that chances ARE they're tacking on extra to the client to cover the cost. However, I'm also aware that some dancers will charge the regular restaurant rate and I might lose the gig. That's individual choice though.
The amount I charge (when they say they're paying) is sometimes influenced by how much they usually pay, how they treat the dancers, how their business is going, if I feel they are telling the truth about who is paying etc. I want to be supportive of their business while expecting them to be supportive of mine. For example it the venue pays low and isn't very appreciative- I'd charge party rate. If their pay is good, they treat me well, feed me, actively support good tips, offer me water etc- I'd be more inclined to charge somewhere between party rate and regular restaurant rate. It's all about reciprocal support.
If it's a restaurant where I don't dance regularly- and the restaurant OR the client is paying- I charge my party rate.

well, if the restaurant doesn't have dancers regularly and the dancer has no working relationship with the venue, the i'd probably say use the private party rate.

for example, i recently did a show for a party in a local steak house. a restaurant, but the party brought me in. obviously not a "bellydance venue" so the private party rate was appropriate

but if its a "bellydance venue" and you have a working relationship with them, i agree with samiras sliding scale model

I have several times been called for a "We are really busy Friday night and having two dancers. Can you come?" only to discover upon arriving that it was a private party. Made the $30 standard fee and no tips. Great night!

As I have discovered that this is standard operating procedure for the owner of this particular restaurant, I now either ask a lot of questions or I turn him down. Afterall, I know that he is building a rather large fee into the night. Like $300. I a perfectly willing to give him a fee for booking me, but 90%? I don't think so!

This same owner refused to have an outside dancer perform at a baby shower which was taking place at the restaurant during off hours. It was the house dancer or no one. And the hostess had to pay him directly as opposed to the house dancer.

How much you want to bet the house dancer didn't get even half the fee?

{{{HUGS}}}

ditto what Samira said.

if the customer is paying, slightly less than regular private gig price. discount to them for hiring the house dancer. if the venue is paying, slightly more than regular restaurant price.

the only down side is that some restaurant owners will lie and say they are paying but really charge the customer twice what they are paying you. it really sucks and it pisses me off to no end but unfortunately there are way too many dancers in this area who will just jump at any opportunity to dance. (*growl and grumble*)

otherwise, everything samira said.

From the dancer's point of view: what Samira said. If the restaurant is looking to make the most money possible from the gig on that day, with no concern about the dancer's long-term economic well-being, then they are going to be more slippery than a Crisco-covered balloon in getting the lower price, don't take it personally if you get fooled a couple of times.

Originally Posted by sabrinabellydancer

well, if the restaurant doesn't have dancers regularly and the dancer has no working relationship with the venue, the i'd probably say use the private party rate.

I agree with the above. IMO, the "restaurant rate" is discounted because the frequency of pay is higher, even though the price per set is lower. If a restaurant is not hiring me with the intention of having me perform at least semi-regularly, I would charge them private party rate.

Ugh--- this reminds me of a nasty situation I was recently in!!! :(
the last time I ever worked at the turkish restaruant ( I only worked there a handful of times to begin with).
they have these special "turkish nights" where they just hope to bring ppl in w/ entertainment and special menus, where the owner pays me out of pocket. but there are also many 'turkish nights' where there would be a party that came in and Now I know the party would pay for me special party rates (175 I believe) and the owner would just pocket most of it and only give me 80. the last night I worked this RLLY sucked.. there was a wedding group and a birthday party later on... and during the "commotion" that ensued that night I discovered from a waiter that the boss has charged BOTH parties for me at private party rates.. and yeah nothing actually got to me. and apparently thats why the first party chose not to tip me- they said 'we already payed for her!' :(
so thanks for this thread.. i'm NOT making that mistake EVER again!!!

so basically-- sorry I got a little emotional there! I don't trust most restaurants-- I think this even happens alot at casabloanca in DE or marrakesh in Philly. where they call you in for one show on an 'off niht' b/c they're "busy" but they actually charge the group a WHOLE lot more than what you get. they keep like 50% to themselves just for calling you.

I got a call from a restaurant in Philly a couple weeks ago asking to do a private party and I charged private party rates.. the venue didn't normally have dancers... and he just got silent for a minute than just said goodbye and hung up!

Originally Posted by ShirazRaqs

I got a call from a restaurant in Philly a couple weeks ago asking to do a private party and I charged private party rates.. the venue didn't normally have dancers... and he just got silent for a minute than just said goodbye and hung up!

I think I got that call too - weirdness!