Why assume it when it's such an easy matter to ask your client when they're booking you? No extra phone calls for you; no surprises when you arrive.

Touché.

I will say that I did call ahead once. I was hired to work a private party at a restaurant in downtown Chicago. Thing is, the show was going to be for only one table. The party consisted of 10 people sitting at one table in the middle of the restaurant. Everything worked out great.
This could be another thread, but one of the oddest private parties I've done was for a couple. This lady hired me to come to her house and do a show for her and her boyfriend at midnight.
Danny, I"m agreeing with you on the opposite theory...lol
Patrick

I've done this several times myself and never called the restaurant or inquired if it was ok. It never even occurred to me.

Hmmm...

The only concern I would have about calling ahead of time is that some of these restaurant "managers" love to make up their own rules on the fly. Caught by surprise with this question they might say "NO" just so they can have some power. Then what?

Is this one of those cases where it's better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission?

Hey! The IBM called this morning and they let me in! Of course no club would let me in so I'm a nomad but do I get to pull my card too once it comes in?

A client just booked me to do my 30 minute close up show in a restaurant. She had to make sure it was OK with the manager. He was afraid that I'd bug his other guests. My client had to assure him that I wouldn't even talk to them. He has either worked with other hacks or has just never seen a real pro at work.

Not 'other' hacks, with hacks in general cuz you are a pro, a stallion, you are...da man! The GM will see you and want you to work for them!

Good Call.

Just my take,

I've performed a whole lot of times for private parties at restaurants and I have to say that I've called every single time to talk with the manager about what it is I'll be doing. Actually, that's a lie; the times I didn't call, I went to the restaurant in person and spoke with the management. Why? Because:

A) If I go in person, I'm able to scope out the room, if I haven't been there before, and see if there's any sort of logistical problems (only 1 large table? is everyone seated in a circle? is there enough space? etc.)

B) By calling ahead, the management knows that there are Professional Magicians out there that can be hired for entertainment. You would be surprised at the number of managers who have no idea that we exist.

C) Along that same line- the management gets to know a bit about me over the phone and can know what to expect. No one wants surprises in the restaurant business.

That's my take. The only other thing I suggest is to not call or show up during peak times. 4 o'clock seems to be my magic number- the manager's generally there and not too busy. Also call about a week before hand so that the manager can make a note to try and show up and see part of your act if he or she's not scheduled to work that night.

My 2 cents,

jamie

p.s. Just to tie this in with the other thread; you will also find out that they have another performer if that's the case. Even though that's never happened to me, I would probably take another minute to call the house performer and mention the night I'm coming. Maybe I could keep an extra 3 of clubs in my shoe or whatever and he/she could do the same. After all, we're all in this together...

Odds are more likely he has never seen a magician perform in a restuarant and doesn't know what to expect and is just looking out for the wellfare of his guests.