Live music at restaurants: build a night guests come back for
Short answer
Choose the type of artist by day of the week and by who your guests are, plan a whole month ahead, rebook the artists who go down well and track what brings in more guests. A regular programme does more than one-off nights.
Live music can turn an ordinary Thursday into the restaurant's best night of the week. But the odd gig here and there rarely makes a difference. What brings guests back is a programme they can count on. This guide is for you if you run a restaurant, hotel or bar and want live music to work over time, not just for one night.
Why live music?
Music changes how long guests stay, how they experience the evening and whether they talk about it afterwards. A troubadour on Thursdays or a DJ on Fridays becomes something guests associate with the place. Live music also gives you something to talk about on social media and in newsletters, which a playlist never does.
The right artist for the right night
Different nights bring different guests, and the music should follow them.
| Night | Typical guests | Artist that often fits |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday and Thursday | After-work crowds and friends meeting up | Troubadour or quiz host |
| Friday | Dinner that turns into a party | A DJ who builds the night |
| Saturday | Longer nights and bigger groups | DJ or live band |
| Sunday | Brunch and quieter dinners | Duo, jazz or acoustic |
Think about the season too. In summer, guests move out onto the terrace, and acoustic music that does not disturb the neighbours fits best. In December, almost every night is a Christmas party, so you need to book artists much earlier than usual. See Christmas party entertainment for artists who fit the bill.
The table is a starting point, not a rule. If you want to try a troubadour night, read the guide to after-work drinks with a troubadour or book a troubadour straight away. What matters is that the music matches what guests already come for, and that it stays the same week after week so they know what they will get.
Plan a month at a time
Booking artists week by week takes a lot of time and makes it hard to promote the nights. Plan a whole month ahead instead. Decide which nights should have music and which type of artist, and send requests to several artists at once. That way you know early which dates are confirmed and can start telling guests about them.
Build a regular roster of artists
Most places that succeed with live music have a few artists who keep coming back. Guests recognise them, the artists know the room and booking becomes easy. Keep a list of the artists who go down well and rebook them regularly, and add new names now and then so the programme does not become predictable.
Track what works
Compare nights with and without music, and nights with different artists. Look at the number of guests, how long they stay and what they buy at the bar. Ask your staff what they notice. After a couple of months you will see which nights and artists bring in the most, and you can put your budget there.
Promote your music nights
A music night nobody knows about fills no tables. Post the month's programme on your website and social media as soon as the artists are booked, and send a reminder a few days before. Show the artist's name and photo, because guests would rather come for a person than for "live music". Mention the nights when guests book a table and put the programme up in the venue, so tonight's guests come back next week. If you have a newsletter, the music programme is one of the easiest ways to give guests a reason to open it.
Keep your bookings in one place
Once live music becomes part of your week, the admin grows: requests, confirmations, contracts, invoices and staff asking who is playing tonight. Jocky is built for exactly that. You plan in a calendar, send availability requests to several artists at once, save favourites and keep contracts and invoicing in one place. Everyone on the team can have their own role, so staff can see the calendar without handling the bookings. There is no monthly fee, and the booking system costs 5% per booking. Read more about the booking system for venues, see what Jocky costs or book a demo.
Frequently asked questions about live music at restaurants
Is live music worth it for a restaurant?
Live music has the most effect when it is regular, so guests know which nights something is on. Compare the number of guests, how long they stay and bar sales on nights with and without music. That shows you which nights and artists pay off.
Which kind of artist suits a restaurant?
It depends on the night and the guests. A troubadour or a quiz often works well midweek, a DJ suits Fridays and Saturdays when dinner turns into a party, and acoustic music suits brunch and quieter dinners.
How far in advance should a restaurant book artists?
Ideally, plan a whole month at a time. That gives you time to book the artists you want, promote the nights and fill gaps in good time. Weekends and December need booking even earlier.
How much does Jocky cost for a restaurant?
Jocky has no monthly fee. The booking system costs 5% per booking, paid by the venue on top of the artist's fee, and only for bookings made in Jocky. Book a demo and we will walk you through how it would work for you.
