Cover Charges at Bars

[Bosibus]

Does anyone else understand this other that letting the owner pocket straight money? It is if you going to your favorite bar and you plan on having about a 50 dollar bar tab. But then you walk up to the door, and some cocky preppy white kid or an enormously large black guy says "Two Dollars". Two dollars, what the hell. I need pay two dollars to get into a bar in which I already plan to spend at least a 50. I think this is total BS, especially on a Friday or Saturday. A lot of people say, its for the entertainment, when it is usually 6 high schoolers playing good music and probably getting paid 300 dollars for a show, total BS.

The money is going straight to the owner and it is a huge scam. It is like walking to someone's party and them saying "Hey its 5 dollars for the keg, and 3 dollars to get into the door."

I protest from going to any place that has a cover charge, my personal opinion.

Edit: The worst is Seacrets in O.C. The "Beat the Clock" load of crap. Get there at 9 o'clock, pay 9 dollars, get there at 10 o'clock, pay 10 dollars, and etc. You freakin charge $3.75 for a can of beer, is there really a COVER CHARGE needed? I know you need to pay the entertainment, but you can fit an enormous amount of people in there that are buying overpriced beer by the gallons!

[bgfield]

Isn't Seacrets supposed to be "the" hot spot in Ocean City? I guess that's why they charge so much - because they can get away with it (I don't go there myself).

I'm with ya on this one, though. I hate paying cover charges. I go to a bar to drink and socialize. If there's a good band playing I might check them out, but more often than not I spend all my time sitting at or around the bar.

The best way around this is to just befriend the bouncer. That's what I did at my local watering hole so whenever he's working I don't have to pay the three dollars to get in :D

[Sports Guy]

I think i have been to Seacrets at least 7 times in the last 2 years and i paid a cover charge one time.

Don't forget, alot of the cover charges go to pay the band or DJ.

[Bosibus]

Don't forget, alot of the cover charges go to pay the band or DJ.

That is a valid point, but it is almost like anymore that bars make this a "priority" on a Friday or Saturday night, band/dj or not.

Also, Seacrets only has the Beat the Clock on Weekends, like most bars. Even my favorite bar down there, Macky's now has a two dollar cover charge. Fishtales doesn't though, thank goodness.

[NewMarketSean]

$10 to get into Howl at the Moon. I know it's a a unique place and all, but even that is steep. Then you have to pay to have songs played... it's a racket that's for sure.

I'll never forget the time we paid the $5 cover to get into the Green Turtle in OC and ended up going to the restaurant side of the place, which we could have done for free.

[66-70-83-??]

Cover charges help "cover the club owner's ass".

Only clubs in high demand can get away with it. These are the kind of clubs that often attract 100's of patrons into the club for reasons other than slamming drinks (socializing, hooking up, dancing, etc...) and many of these either don't drink at all or nurse one bottle of beer all night.

These people are clogging up space, using the facilities, etc.... The cover charge ensures that the club gets some $ out of them for the night.

If the average patron was comming in and knocking down 10 $5 drinks- there wouldn't be any need for a cover.

[Sports Guy]

$10 to get into Howl at the Moon. I know it's a a unique place and all, but even that is steep. Then you have to pay to have songs played... it's a racket that's for sure.

I'll never forget the time we paid the $5 cover to get into the Green Turtle in OC and ended up going to the restaurant side of the place, which we could have done for free.

I hate Howl at the moon...Think i would rather stay home then go there.

[JohnD]

When I bounced at a bar at the beach, we only charged cover on the weekends during the summer. We did it because we could, and it was 5 bucks a pop. On holidays we'd have lines down the block. Even on a regular summer night we could have a line while other bars sat half-empty with no cover charge. We got away with it because we could. That's all. Not too different I imagine than going to a movie and spending 50 bucks on popcorn and sodas haha.

[Pedro Cerrano]

Go to Adam's Morgan if you hate cover charges.

[ledzepp8]

Yeah cover charges are completely stupid. If you're going to charge one at least have it where it's going towards a drink or something so I feel like I'm not just wasting my money for some arbitrary reason.

[MChance]

When I bounced at a bar at the beach, we only charged cover on the weekends during the summer. We did it because we could, and it was 5 bucks a pop. On holidays we'd have lines down the block. Even on a regular summer night we could have a line while other bars sat half-empty with no cover charge. We got away with it because we could. That's all. Not too different I imagine than going to a movie and spending 50 bucks on popcorn and sodas haha.

Stop lying. The real reason for the long line was to see you at the front of it. :cool:

[cindyluvsbrady]

Maybe you guys should save $$ and just stay home and out of trouble?:D Just a thought!;)

[Bosibus]

Go to Adam's Morgan if you hate cover charges.

Haha, yeah right, go there and expect to pay 10 dollars a pop.

I went to Reef I believe a little bit ago with some friends from VT. I am used to my 4 dollar beers which is way too much anyways.

I'd figure I would buy the first round so I say "5 Miller Lites!", girl gets me 5 Miller Lites, "30 Dollars" she said. Then I sh&# my pants. Let's say in the first 3 minutes I was there I spent 40 bucks on 5 beers. Wowzers.

I did like drinking until 3 AM though, that was impressive.

[Bosibus]

Yeah cover charges are completely stupid. If you're going to charge one at least have it where it's going towards a drink or something so I feel like I'm not just wasting my money for some arbitrary reason.

There is an idea. If you pay the cover charge, the first two drinks should be half off!

[blueberryale77]

There is an idea. If you pay the cover charge, the first two drinks should be half off!

Exactly. A "two drink minimum" where you pay a cover (the price of two drinks at a slight discount) and get two tickets to use on drinks is a nicer idea. Of course there are those who argue that this encourages more drinking, although I personally find that if I go to one of those places I end up being more likely to stop after two because I don't want to pull out my wallet again... hmm, maybe that's why more places don't go with that option...:cool:

[Leitch]

Here's the thing. It's almost damned near impossible to turn a real live profit at a bar. Some of them have to charge cover to help pay for bands and employees and sound guys and stuff like that.

Some of them are probably just doing it because "Hey more money" but a ton of places, especially small bars are barely above water

[bgfield]

I like cover charges myself if the bar clearly uses that money to keep out the overly young/pathetic crowd.. the same people that protest the $5 charge, are usually the same people that get drunk off of 4 light beers... little charge usually equals a better crowd.

Still, I do understand the general point about it being a racket...

I'm just curious, what is the "pathetic" crowd?

[tywright]

$30 at the door...drink for free. I'd be set for life

[Bosibus]

$30 at the door...drink for free. I'd be set for life

Or dead in two years

[DrungoHazewood]

Cover charges are a logical buisness decision, pure and simple. If you can have a bar full of people each giving you $5, or a bar full of people giving you nothing, which do you choose?

I need to start my own rant thread about people who complain about how much something costs but are happy to join the thousands of people who pay the price the establishment asks. Any smart buisnessman charges what the market will bear, not a random notion of what is fair or just or right.

[Bosibus]

Cover charges are a logical buisness decision, pure and simple. If you can have a bar full of people each giving you $5, or a bar full of people giving you nothing, which do you choose?

I need to start my own rant thread about people who complain about how much something costs but are happy to join the thousands of people who pay the price the establishment asks. Any smart buisnessman charges what the market will bear, not a random notion of what is fair or just or right.

It may be smart business but the rant is not intended to what you say. The rant is intended that cover charges are the new "fads" for ALL bars and everyone is doing it. I, myself, have boycotted many bars. I will stay pay 3 dollars but once it gets up to 10 dollars, there is no reason for me to go into somewhere that is entirely overcrowded and unpleasent unless there is dancing naked chicks and it is BYOB.

If I am to pay a cover charge, I at least want a buy two drinks get one free coupon when I go in. At least then, I wont feel as jipped.

[Pedro Cerrano]

Cover charges are a logical buisness decision, pure and simple. If you can have a bar full of people each giving you $5, or a bar full of people giving you nothing, which do you choose?

I need to start my own rant thread about people who complain about how much something costs but are happy to join the thousands of people who pay the price the establishment asks. Any smart buisnessman charges what the market will bear, not a random notion of what is fair or just or right.

Yea capitalism!!

[brendanmdeegan]

Cover charges are a logical buisness decision, pure and simple. If you can have a bar full of people each giving you $5, or a bar full of people giving you nothing, which do you choose?

I need to start my own rant thread about people who complain about how much something costs but are happy to join the thousands of people who pay the price the establishment asks. Any smart buisnessman charges what the market will bear, not a random notion of what is fair or just or right.

I used to work at a bar during college, and the other "business" side of covers is that they are almost impossible to tax. That, and many places apply (at least some) of the cover to the "food" portion of their business (since most neighborhoods dont want "bars" next door, "restaurants" have a strict food to drink ratio). Often times the only way to come close to hitting those ratios is to up the "food" category by supplementing it with cover.

Simple capitalism here- if the market will bear the charge so be it. No one is forcing you to go.

[GeorgiaBird]

If you want to boycott that is your right. Just as it is the owner's right to charge a cover. It is only in the rare exception that owning a bar is a get rich scheme. The cover is just as likely going to pay the rent or the electric bill as it is to line a fat-cat's pocket.

How different is it from a movie theatre? Pay to get in, pay for food or drinks, and get the entertainment for free. Whether it is Harry Potter or a bunch of high school wanna be rock stars, you are paying for the privilege of entering someone's private property.

[dedwretched]

I sometimes go to this club called The Fez here in Portland. There's only cover on weekend nights, when I go. It's only $5. Not too bad to hear some good 80's music. I figured this was pretty much a standard practice around the country.

Though if you're going to a club, like The Fez, where they don't have live bands, paying more than $5 to get in is a joke. When you see live bands, I perfectly understand why I'd have to pay more. I like supporting the bands.

[PeteU]

Edit: The worst is Seacrets in O.C. The "Beat the Clock" load of crap. Get there at 9 o'clock, pay 9 dollars, get there at 10 o'clock, pay 10 dollars, and etc. You freakin charge $3.75 for a can of beer, is there really a COVER CHARGE needed? I know you need to pay the entertainment, but you can fit an enormous amount of people in there that are buying overpriced beer by the gallons!

Don't even get me started on Seacrets. I've got a few choice words for that dive.

[ChrisP]

Don't even get me started on Seacrets. I've got a few choice words for that dive.

TWO MONTHS after the last post and that's the best you can share to this thread?!?!?!?:002_stongue:

[The Wedge]

The term dive is best suited for some of those Fells Point holes-in-the-walls.

[PeteU]

TWO MONTHS after the last post and that's the best you can share to this thread?!?!?!?:002_stongue:


Actually, I've got a story about that craphole but it burns me up even thinking about it. I might pop an artery writing it all down...

Needless to say, a fan of the Seacrets' bouncer staff discretion I am not, as Yoda might say.