Can I now refuse to tip on the basis that there is no such thing as a tip?
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Club cover charges and hidden coat checks...
- Thread starter suitz
- Start date
Can I now refuse to tip on the basis that there is no such thing as a tip?
In Winnipeg, Canada most Salsa venues have a cover charge of $5-$15 depending on venue and event. Some venues have coat check for $2-$3, some places it's mandatory, some it's optional. I have no problems paying either of those fees as long as I have fun that night. Now if my night isn’t fun, I just won’t return to that venue again.
At the end of the day, Salsa dancers must realize nicer venues have higher expenses and have to find ways to make more money since Salsa dancers are not profitable when it comes to drink sales. Many Salsa dancers just want a glass of water, even though water is free (should be a human right globally), it still costs the venue money to get you that free glass of water. The venue pays for the glasses, staff to pour water, dishwasher, and monthly hydro fees, so a free glass of water isn’t exactly “free”. Nicer venues (superior sound systems, nice floors, lighting, vanity, sensual atmosphere, etc.) have higher expenses, and there are some customers (dancers or “normal” club clientele) who appreciate those features of a venue and are willing to pay for it.
Now if Salsa dancers don’t want to spend much money, they can have parties at dance studios where the operational costs are much lower, and since the owners of dance studios understand their customers better they can find ways to cater to their customers without charging too much. Most dance studio parties don't provide the "nice lighting, vanity, sensual atmosphere" that the night clubs can offer. Some people say all they want is to dance, and those extra features are not necessary to enjoy a night out Salsa dancing.
Ironically enough usually it’s the nicer venues that have higher attendance numbers compared to the dance studio venues, and it's the same people who say they "just want to dance". People want nice stuff (luxuries) without the luxury price tag. If more Salsa dancers were more understanding of the expenses of running a nightclub and made a couple purchases at the bar (alcoholic or non-alcoholic, or food), the owners will not resort to shady tactics (turning up heat, excessive drinks costs, excessive cover charge and coat check, 1 article of clothing per hanger, etc.). If you don’t want to spend money at the bar avoid “nicer” nightclub venues, and stick to dance studio parties. You get what you pay for.
At the end of the day, Salsa dancers must realize nicer venues have higher expenses and have to find ways to make more money since Salsa dancers are not profitable when it comes to drink sales. Many Salsa dancers just want a glass of water, even though water is free (should be a human right globally), it still costs the venue money to get you that free glass of water. The venue pays for the glasses, staff to pour water, dishwasher, and monthly hydro fees, so a free glass of water isn’t exactly “free”. Nicer venues (superior sound systems, nice floors, lighting, vanity, sensual atmosphere, etc.) have higher expenses, and there are some customers (dancers or “normal” club clientele) who appreciate those features of a venue and are willing to pay for it.
Now if Salsa dancers don’t want to spend much money, they can have parties at dance studios where the operational costs are much lower, and since the owners of dance studios understand their customers better they can find ways to cater to their customers without charging too much. Most dance studio parties don't provide the "nice lighting, vanity, sensual atmosphere" that the night clubs can offer. Some people say all they want is to dance, and those extra features are not necessary to enjoy a night out Salsa dancing.
Ironically enough usually it’s the nicer venues that have higher attendance numbers compared to the dance studio venues, and it's the same people who say they "just want to dance". People want nice stuff (luxuries) without the luxury price tag. If more Salsa dancers were more understanding of the expenses of running a nightclub and made a couple purchases at the bar (alcoholic or non-alcoholic, or food), the owners will not resort to shady tactics (turning up heat, excessive drinks costs, excessive cover charge and coat check, 1 article of clothing per hanger, etc.). If you don’t want to spend money at the bar avoid “nicer” nightclub venues, and stick to dance studio parties. You get what you pay for.
If more Salsa dancers were more understanding of the expenses of running a nightclub and made a couple purchases at the bar (alcoholic or non-alcoholic, or food), the owners will not resort to shady tactics (turning up heat, excessive drinks costs, excessive cover charge and coat check, 1 article of clothing per hanger, etc.)...
I am somewhat skeptical of that. If there's a profit to be made...
The counter argument could also easily be that salsa dancers tend to occupy non-salsa specific venues, the ordinary nightclubs on their quieter weekday nights. At least they are getting some sales which is better than zero had the salsa crowd not been there - assuming no one else turns up of course.
To be fair, I think everyone does understand that argument that nothing is entirely free... What I don't ethically agree with is the practice of having hidden, unadvertised costs that the customer has no choice but to pay for. It's just so underhanded. I have little sympathy for them needing to resort to 'shady tactics' due to poor revenue if they are unscrupulous in this manner. Even if I am dehydrated and thirsty I would refuse to buy a drink from their bar - I'd rather run out and across the street to the nearest gas station/convenience store to buy a drink there. You might argue that it'll just be a vicious circle, and perhaps you may be right. But the club sets the tone in my opinion.
If more Salsa dancers were more understanding of the expenses of running a nightclub and made a couple purchases at the bar (alcoholic or non-alcoholic, or food), the owners will not resort to shady tactics (turning up heat, excessive drinks costs, excessive cover charge and coat check, 1 article of clothing per hanger, etc.).
I am somewhat skeptical of that. If there's a profit to be made...
The counter argument could also easily be that salsa dancers tend to occupy non-salsa specific venues, the ordinary nightclubs on their quieter weekday nights. At least they are getting some sales which is better than zero had the salsa crowd not been there - assuming no one else turns up of course.
To be fair, I think everyone does understand that argument that nothing is entirely free... It's just the underhandedness of hidden charges. Just make advertise the charges!
It's obvious that businesses want to try to make as money as possible without deterring their clientale, but when finances get rough (no sales from Salsa dancers), these owners will do more shady things.
Sometimes it's even in the best interest for a bar owner to not have a Salsa event at their venue even though it's not busy on certain week nights because of basic operating costs. On an evening when a venue decides to open they must pay for electricity, hydro, staff, wear and tear on dancefloor, glasses, kitchen equipment, DJ, sound equipment, all that isn’t free.
Hypothetically, let's just say the operating cost is approximately ~$200 a night without hiring DJ, $450 with DJ.
Only 25 dancers show up and pay $5 cover. $125 Revenue, $125 Profit
Only 7 dancers actually spend ~$15 each at the bar, the rest want free glasses of water. ~$105 Revenue, ~$84 Profit
Only 5 random people (non-dancers) who come to just to hangout and drink spend $30 each at the bar. ~$150 Revenue, ~$120 profit
At the end of the night they have made ~$329 of profit ($125 + $84 + $120). Now there would be ~$129 ($329 – $200) net profit for the owner of the venue if he didn’t hire a DJ, if he/she hired a DJ they would be losing ~$121 ($329 – $450). Sometimes it just not in the best interest of business to have Salsa night in your bar at all cause you won’t make much money, or will lose money. The exceptions are if the owner loves Salsa music and culture is willing to not make much at all, or lose money.
Voodoo, you're ignoring the fact that a lot of those salsa dancers could become repeat customers and come back to the club on regular nights. That's the whole idea behind promotion and special events. There are also people who aren't hardcore dancers or beginners, they'd rather go to one of these clubs where they can also get a drink and hang out. If they went to a dance studio there's no alcohol and there's nothing to do but dance.
In any case I don't think a salsa night will change club policies, they are there just to generate profit.
In any case I don't think a salsa night will change club policies, they are there just to generate profit.