Performer Agreement & Booking Terms

 

The Venetian Soda Lounge is a listening-forward cocktail and soda lounge designed for unrushed, seated evenings. We look for professional musicians who value playing to an attentive, seated crowd rather than a noisy bar scene.

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Please read carefully. We use two booking models, and which one applies depends on the day and the size of the act.

 

Booking Models at a Glance

• Friday (Soloists and Duets only): Flat Fee. Not ticketed. No cover for guests.

• Saturday Soloists: Flat Fee. Not ticketed. No cover for guests.

• Saturday Duets, Trios, and larger ensembles: Ticketed only. We do not offer flat-fee bookings on Saturdays for anything beyond a soloist.

 

The Flat Fee Model

Who this is for: Friday Soloists, Friday Duets, and Saturday Soloists.

• Musicians are paid a pre-agreed Flat Fee.

• Shows are not ticketed. No cover for guests.

• Rate: $50 per musician, per hour.

 

The Ticketed Model

Who this is for: All Saturday Duets, Trios, and larger ensembles. Flat fee is not available for these acts. Approval is not automatic. We evaluate the strength of your social media presence, email list, and ability to draw an audience before confirming a date.

 

The Split (80/20)

Compensation is performance-based at 80% to Performer / 20% to Venue. We provide a Financial Guarantee (The Floor) to protect the artist.

How the Guarantee is calculated: $50 per hour, per musician, capped at $200 total.

You always receive the greater of the two: the Guarantee or the Split.

 

Financial Examples

Scenario A: High Ticket Sales ($500 Total)

• 80% Split ($400) is higher than the Guarantee ($200).

• Band Gets: $400. House Gets: $100.

 

Scenario B: Low Ticket Sales ($100 Total)

• 80% Split ($80) is lower than the Guarantee ($200).

• Band Gets: $200 (House covers the difference).

• House Gets: $0.

 

Settlement & Payment Timing

• Method: Check or Venmo.

• Timing: Payments are processed one business day after the show (typically Monday).

• Why: Our credit card processing for weekend sales does not finalize until Sunday night. We cannot settle payouts on the night of the performance.

 

Ticket Logistics & Policies

 

For all ticketed shows:

• Ticket Cutoff: We stop selling tickets 1 hour and 15 minutes into the show.

• Walk-Ins: After the cutoff, if seats are available, we open the doors to walk-ins.

• Strict Capacity: If the room is full or sold out, we cannot allow non-ticketed entry.

• Refund Policy: No refunds on tickets. Please communicate this clearly to your fans.

• Cancellations: Band cancellations must be made at least 48 hours in advance.

 

Marketing Requirements (Ticketed Shows)

 

If you are booked for a ticketed show, you are an active partner in filling the room.

• Requirements: Active social media channels and an email list.

• The Agreement: If you do not actively promote the show to your audience, The Venetian reserves the right to revoke the Guarantee and pay based strictly on the 80/20 split of actual tickets sold.

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Ensemble Size & Day-of-Week Rules

Our room is intimate, and we enforce strict size limits to manage volume and crowd flow.

• Fridays: Maximum 2 musicians. Soloists or Duets only. Flat Fee.

• Saturdays: Soloists may book as Flat Fee. Duets, Trios, and larger ensembles are considered for Ticketed shows only.

 

Volume Policy

We do not host bands that are "super loud." Percussion must be minimal (brushes or cajón only). Amps must be kept at conversation-friendly levels.

 

Enforcement

The Venue Manager has final authority over volume. Refusal to lower volume upon request will result in the immediate end of the performance and forfeiture of payment.

 

Performer Amenities

• One menu food item per performer.

• Unlimited non-alcoholic beverages.

• Complimentary alcoholic beverages are not permitted under Vermont state law.

 

Guest Access

• Flat Fee Shows: Guests enter freely. No cover.

• Ticketed Shows: Each performer receives one guest list spot. All other guests must purchase a ticket.

 

Booking Inquiries

To be considered, please include:

• Links to live performance samples (video or audio).

• Your day-of-week preference (Friday or Saturday) and ensemble size.

• Social media links (required for any Saturday booking beyond a soloist).

• Instrumentation and number of musicians.

• An honest estimate of expected audience turnout, plus any past performance data or promotional plans.

 

All inquiries are reviewed carefully. Due to volume, we are only able to respond to submissions we feel are a strong fit. If you do not hear from us, please assume we are unable to schedule your performance at this time.

 

We genuinely appreciate your interest in working with us.