If you have a restaurant that needs a little bit of a pick me up in terms of customers, you might want to consider hiring some live entertainment. This is an added treat for your customers, and you have many different options from which you can choose.

When you are trying to decide on the type of entertainment you want to have, you must consider your clientele and the type of restaurant you own. If you have a sushi restaurant, for example, you might not want to have a Jazz ensemble as your entertainment. While it might make for an eclectic experience, it doesn't really jive with the type of restaurant you have. On the other hand, authentic mariachi players would work well for a Mexican restaurant or an eatery with a Southwestern theme. Always consider what your customers want and expect.

You also have to think about the space that you have available. You probably don't want to remove too many tables just to accommodate entertainment. Maybe you don't have room for a grand piano. Choose a classical guitarist instead. A small stage area for a guitar player is enough. With the above mentioned mariachi players, they can wander from table to table. The options are endless.

You should also allow your patrons to tip the entertainment, and let your entertainers keep 100 percent of their tip money. This offers a couple of benefits. First, you will be able to work out a deal with the entertainment for a lower rate since they are able to keep their tips. They will also make sure to put on the best performances each night because they are working toward tips as well as what you are paying them.

Of course, when you have live entertainment, you need to realize that the business model is going to change a bit. Rather than having people come into the restaurant and leave once they are finished with their meal, they might stay and watch the for a while. You have a few options to deal with this.

You could have a separate area for the performer, where the patrons can sit, drink, and watch without interrupting your dining guests. You could also charge more for your meals and drinks since people are going to be staying longer. There are plenty of ways to make the most of entertainment without it derailing your primary goal – getting people to come and eat at the restaurant.