[DenverEd]

Our last couple of gigs have been at restaurants/bars. Owners want to maximize revenue by serving as late as possible. Since we have to move tables and chairs to set up, we end up waiting around, then throwing our stuff together, then immediately start playing (since by then it's like 10:00). Needless to say, this makes for a stressful and chaotic start which negatively impacts our groove. Any tips on how to deal with this (other than being better and playing at places that have an actual stage )?

[ugly rumor]

hard to adjust the circumstances; only thing left would be attitude; therefore, realize that in that type of venue, the late crowd is not there to eat, but to hear good music and pick up a girl, maybe. So realize the limitations and work within them to give as good as you can as good as you can. I have played several places like that in my time, the Green Dolphin in Roanoke and the Pioneer Inn in Nederland come immediately to mind, and all you can do is take your time, no hurries or distress, the venue owner doubtlessly understands. Venues like that don't usually require much in the way of P.A., and first song or two should help you dial out any unpleasantries. Remember, sometimes the problem is not yours!!

Peace!!

[strumminsix]

Been there many times. I've just straight up asked to cordon off an area at 7 so we can start setting up. Some managers don't get that it takes a band, on average 2 hours to setup. the one thing that has worked for us is staging in gear and musicians:
1 me w/ PA and drummer
2 other guitarist/singer
3 keys, bass and back-up singer

that has really, really worked out well!

[JonnyBoy]

Good advice here. We sometimes play a place that serves dinner and then goes bar around 9pm. They want us to start at 7:30 now. We opted to do a dinner time acoustic set to keep as many ears as possible hearing us and exposing our music, plus proving our versatility i guess. It helps keep them enjoying the music at a respectable level and tone, and we get warmed up as a band before we go electric. We found the many of them wind up staying around once they figure out they don't have to leave so fast and enjoy live music, but most others leave and during set break we move the tables if needed. We warn them the electric stuff is coming! Coexisting is helpful for everyone. It isn't your fault your business coexists with the business of serving tables of food. We tried to make it work for us I guess is what I mean, at that place at least.

[myoung6923]

I'm with Strum...

I like to get there plenty early so I can talk to the staff and see if they can arrange seating so that the "stage" area becomes available to set up. Usually they are ok with it if you just work with them.

Also, in this scenario a small, simple PA is key. We stopped doing these type of gigs because our PA is too big, takes too long to set up and it was just such a huge hassle.

[strumminsix]

Quick tale on what happened with us... Bar that serves food til 11.

Asked us to start at 9 and wanted us to setup and bring PA at 8. YIKES!

I asked them to have an area ready by 7 and was at 7.20. Played in a cramped area.

In a day after chat I expressed it's important for us to have room, ability to setup on time, suggested another part of the bar, and asked for $50 more.

Got all

they key was establishing a partnership. We are now looking to book at his other locations!!

[Rusty the Scoob]

All good advice above. I'll add a general tip - the less stressful you can make the setup, the better, and that takes organization and coordination and equal effort from all members (except the main soundman who will still be putting in more, that's the nature of it). Give everybody a specific job if you can and have them do it. Keys guy sets up speakers, bass guy runs cables, guitar guy sets up mics, etc.