Thread: Private Parties in Restaurant

I have the chance, through a friend of a friend, to dance for a private party (birthday) in a restaurant. This restaurant caters for a lot of large celebrations, so could lead to more work in the future if it goes well.

When it comes to pricing, should I charge the client direct and offer the restaurant a percentage of that, or just state my rate (what I want to take home) to the restaurant and let them add on whatever they think for themselves and charge the client? Or is there another way I haven't thought of? I would prefer if the restaurant were taking care of the money side and paying me.

Also not too sure what the going rate would be in UK. Only plan to dance for private party, not entire restaurant. I'm thinking 10 to 15 minutes including getting some of the party up to dance.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

Is this a regular restaurant that features dancers? I'm just asking because if I dance at a private party I get paid directly by the party not the restaurant and the restaurant does not get a percentage.

Charge the client directly, whatever the going rate is for "party gigs" of the length you'll be dancing; 10-15 minutes maximum is perfect. Require a deposit (non-refundable unless the gig is cancelled by you) and obtain full payment prior to the start of your performance. You are the person making the agreement to perform and should handle all your own financials on this type of gig.

Probably the most important thing about dancing in public places like restaurants (even if you're in a more "private" area) is to find out if that venue's management needs to give its approval. Getting that approval is the client's responsibility; double-checking the veracity of your client is the entertainer's responsibility.

(Mom and I were literally run out of a restaurant within just a minute or two of starting a party gig at a restaurant. I don't know the reason, but I'm pretty sure it was either a) the venue wasn't licensed for live entertainment or b) the management was horrified to see belly dancers. Whatever the reason, the manager threatened to call the police if we weren't gone lickety split -- to have us arrested/ticketed, not the guy who hired us. Oh, BTW, the guy who hired us swore up and down in advance that he had obtained approval for the intended entertainment; Mom had asked him specifically about said permission. Yeah. Right.)

Hope this gig works out for you and is a source of future work!

Deborah

Originally Posted by casbahdance

Charge the client directly, whatever the going rate is for "party gigs" of the length you'll be dancing; 10-15 minutes maximum is perfect. Require a deposit (non-refundable unless the gig is cancelled by you) and obtain full payment prior to the start of your performance. You are the person making the agreement to perform and should handle all your own financials on this type of gig.

Probably the most important thing about dancing in public places like restaurants (even if you're in a more "private" area) is to find out if that venue's management needs to give its approval. Getting that approval is the client's responsibility; double-checking the veracity of your client is the entertainer's responsibility.

(Mom and I were literally run out of a restaurant within just a minute or two of starting a party gig at a restaurant. I don't know the reason, but I'm pretty sure it was either a) the venue wasn't licensed for live entertainment or b) the management was horrified to see belly dancers. Whatever the reason, the manager threatened to call the police if we weren't gone lickety split -- to have us arrested/ticketed, not the guy who hired us. Oh, BTW, the guy who hired us swore up and down in advance that he had obtained approval for the intended entertainment; Mom had asked him specifically about said permission. Yeah. Right.)

Hope this gig works out for you and is a source of future work!

Deborah

Absolutely agree with the above. The restaurant is not booking you, so they have nothing to do with payment/compensation - that's between you and the client.

If the party is in a private area of the restaurant, like a banquet room, I'll admit I usually don't bother. But if the performance is in a public part of the restaurant, like the bar or general seating area, the client must get the restaurant's permission - and I call the restaurant to confirm myself. If for some chance I was still asked to leave when I get there, I'd keep the deposit, since it's not my fault I wasn't able to perform and I need to be compensated for my time and effort thus far.

Thanks for your responses. I can see now that I didn't make it clear before, but the work is coming to me via the restaurant (the friend works for them). They don't have dancers working the restaurant in general, but they are keen to be able to offer this as a service to celebration parties (I think somebody brought in their own dancer for a party and they liked the idea). So performing there is definitely not a problem, but they are going to want some financial gain.

I gotcha.

In these cases, I charge the restaurant my regular private party rate, and they can pass that along to their customer with an upcharge if they like.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by Tezirah

Thanks for your responses. I can see now that I didn't make it clear before, but the work is coming to me via the restaurant (the friend works for them). They don't have dancers working the restaurant in general, but they are keen to be able to offer this as a service to celebration parties (I think somebody brought in their own dancer for a party and they liked the idea). So performing there is definitely not a problem, but they are going to want some financial gain.

As I was typing away that long answer, I had the idea in the back of my mind that your situation might be a bit different . . .



In your case, I second Laura 2!

Deborah