talkmagic.co.uk

As some people might know, I am an Illusionist. But I don't have too many props and don't have enough money to buy new props which i need, as i dont have enough of a show.

So, I was thinking if it would be possible to work in a restaurant and earn money from there?

There is a new Italian? restaurant opening near my house.
So, working in a restaurant, do you earn a lot of money from tips?
will it be better then having a normal job like working in a store or something like that?

And, if working in a restaurant to gain extra money as another job, what would you recommend to perform as a magician walking from table to table. Approximately 50x a night.

I have planned out a few tricks that i could do, but I am not sure as I have never seen a restaurant magician and dont know much info on it.

1. Airborne Glass
2. Loops/ITR/Inv. Thread
3. 2 card Monte (Its not exactly that, but its similar and longer)
4. Fire Wallet
5. ACR
6. Flash paper (SOME FIRE MAGIC, dont know what yet)

My IBM ring took a survey at a restaurant as to which venue of magic gets the best reactions here it is. Greatest reactions to the least reactions. 1. Rope 2. Money/coin 3. Spongeballs 4. Cards so try to do as much rope magic as possible and as little card magic as possible.

Wouldn't invis. thread in a restaurant be a pain, unless you have a good thread dispenser I wouldn't do it.

Also find out if you can even do fire magic I doubt they will let you.

I hear around $30 an hour of tips is normal for a good restaurant.

The job will only be better if you enjoy doing magic.

oh yes, thanks i for got to mention some rope magic.

I'll try performing some money magic, but only with bills, as i never practiced any magic with coins, only bills.

And fire magic, i believe i will be allowed because the restaurant that is located near me has a lot of "natural" scenes, they have many fires and scenery happening around. So, I may be allowed. But there might be a chance i wont.

I am limiting my card magic to only 2,3 tricks max. since i personally dont like using cards. But occasionally someone likes card magic so i will only perform it to those that ask for card magic, or would like to see it. As of that, i probably will not.

$30 an hour sound pretty good.
Better then working in the restaurant i would say.

Thanks a lot!

PS. I just want to know, If you work in a restaurant, and you are getting paid on tips. Do you tell those you are performing that you are performing for money, or do you get money if they give you some. How does this work?

Well most magicians give all the tips they make to the waiter/waitress

Some restaurants have all people (waiters, waitresses, magicians) put all there tips in one giant jar and divide it evenly amonst themselves.

I hear the starting per hour for a proffesional (besides tips) is around $50

Really it is your decision to ask them for money, to tell them you are working for tips, or not to say anything at all.

Here is a great essay I found that should help you alot!

http://www.penguinmagic.com/discuss/vie ... restaurant

I was going to start my own topic about restaurant magic myself, but seeing as you beat me to it, i'll post my question here.

It's about tips mainly, I was wondering how do you actually get the fact across to the audience you are working for tips, or well would like a tip

Do you just tell them, "Hi I'm _______, the house magician could I entertain you with some magic for 5 minutes, oh and I accept tips"

...doesn't sound all too well..

I've seen David Stones The Real Secrets of Magic, and he seems to say you should just hint it, or joke it for example:-

"can I borrow a note please, *as they reach for their wallet* just something small, save the big ones for the tips "

But what if your not doing any money magic? any other ways of hinting subtly, without a big badge saying "working for tips"

In the UK it is most definitely not about the tips. UK people don't tip. You should get paid an hourly rate by the establishment.

However getting a regular gig is not as easy as walking into a restaurant and saying hello, give me a job. It is a hard slog. In four years of working professionally I have had 2 regular gigs.

working for money is going to be fairly hard especially when you aren't available to perform everyday. And you don't have a schedule to perform magic as everyone else in the restaurant such as waiters, cooks, etc.

I was just hoping that whenever possible, when they call me, and especially on busy nights to come by and perform table magic. But tips only.

As in every restaurant here, you must give a 10% tip for the service, not matter what.

But, since i wont be performing every night, or maybe i will since its summer and I dont have anything planned, i might, but lets say i wont. So, after you perform magic they give you like a few bucks for entertainment. JUST for yourself. Not included in that 10% tip at the end.
Thats what i was looking for.

So, how would you deal with these situations when you want to get paid on tips, but not combine the tips in together and deal them evenly, just get your own tips separate after finishing performing on each table.

Could you ask the people at the table as said above;
Hi im _______ could i entertain you tonight with some magic before your food arrives? If you wish, I am performing magic for tips to become a professional someday. But if not, then thats fine.
....... something like that.


EDIT:
I just though of a way of being "tipped" by the people you are performing for without them actually mentioning it, them tipping you, or even knowing about it.
Yes, it is what you think. Perform some money magic and do some trick that in the end you do give their money back, but not as much as they originally gave you. So, somehow confuse them into giving too much.
Even though thats kinda mean, but you know, some people will/do do it.

Please don't work just for tips. You will create many rivals between you and the waiters/waitresses. And they don't have to pay you 10% because they never paid you anything so 10% of 0 is 0. If you are good enough you shouldn't have to ask for tips and DON'T STEAL. That will get you fired faster then you can make a coin vanish.

Just make a deal with the restaurant managers such as you choose your own hours and still get paid. A lot of magicians give all the tips they make to the waiters and waitresses.

In reference to your first post in this thread: If you want to make money, trying to work as a magician in a restaurant is not the way to do it. You don't say how old you are, but I'd suggest that if you want cash for big illusions, get a "real" job. It will almost certainly be less enjoyable than performing magic for a living, but it will gain you a steady income. Then try and get restaurant work in the evenings, and you get the best of both worlds (and can feed yourself...)

How about the good old way of the Street Performer? Just put it to them straight...Something like

"I've practised long and hard on this art form with the intention of entertaining people like you. Please, if you enjoyed the act, show your appreciation with whatever you think this piece of entertainment was worth. (and heres the killer) And if you don't want to tip me, please take a moment to explain where you think I went wrong as that would be equally as appreciated"

Obviously, think a bit harder about the actual wording. Maybe throw in a joke (i accept all denominations, just fold it up and place it in my hat!), mention that the resturant doesnt pay you if they dont, then get on with your climax. Be sure to thank each tipper individualy.
Just my 2c!

Magicslife,

If you work a restaurant, agree a price and stick to it, don't go for tips unless the punter offers it direct, and then take it however its offered. Restaurant magic is not a money spinner. I've turned down everyone I've been offered because I won't work for that.

If you're British then you'll find that you very rarely get offered any tips in a resturant so it's certainly not a way to make money, in the States it might work differently. If I do ever get offered anything I'll usually wont accept it, if they really insist I'll let them buy me a drink but it doesn't happen often.

You should agree a fee with the manager before hand and not rely on tips, although if you're looking for regular income magic probabaly isn't the best way to do it, at least to start with anyway. I just use my magic fora little extra pocket money.

Have you actually approached the restaurant yet with your idea?

It would be very naive to assume that you will be given work as a table magician without actually speaking to the owner or the manager.

There used to be a column on restaurant magic (Feed'em and fool'em? - sorry I haven't looked it up) in Magigram. I have this vague recollection of some articles all about how you get tips. I may be inventing this, but I'm sure one of them was as subtle as taking a brandy glass with several coins in it to the table with you. Just place it down whilst you work and let them join the dots! That way you don't need to say anything...

But as was said earlier, Brits are rubbish tippers, so better to get a decent rate from the restaurant...

I've only ever received 3 tips from punters in a restaurant. On one night I received a £10 tip and a £5 tip. I must have been on fire that night. On a seperate occasion I was given a pound coin. Yes. The brits are rubbish tippers.

However if you are offered a tip, it is usually good form to accept it.