OK, I did try to be a good penguin but!!!!

He already has alienated enough of us here. It still amazes me that someone wants a job but has never even seen a working professional and has no idea of what the job entails.

When I see a post like this, where someone is not even bothering to do any research, my first thought is he is too dam lazy to do a good job so he is going to fail. Sorry, but asking on a forum is not considered research.

Maybe he should learn how to be a fire eater. Just buy the torch and some lighter fluid. I'm sure he'll figure it out.

Magicmaniac1,
Hope your set's go well. Be prepared.
To answer your questions (yes I do work restaurants so I'm not talking out my ---)

1. I have over 30 effects that are suitable for restaurant table magic that get great reactions and I have mastered performing. Including classic chop cup, card to wallet and coins across. Now in a night I have 3 sets that I normally do with only about 3-4 effects. Each trick is stand alone so that I can stop at after any one effect and it would not ruin the routine (do to food coming or just entertaining and joking makes one effect take up the entire time your at a table). Your job is to be engaging and entertaining but to also get to every table in the restaurant. If they want to see magic or not they should know that there is a magician there.
Now during busy nights you might not be able to hit every table so sometimes I do a cards across type effect that gets more people involved or I angle my self so that another table can see the chop cup routine. You will learn these things as you go along or pick up this and that from DVD's and books. (note these are my opinions and should be taken as such).

2. Always dress one step above the wait staff. Normally try to match management or host/hostess. I dress in dress pants, dress shoes, shirt and tie with a fedora hat. But that’s my style.

Cheers,
Adam

phenomenal sir, do you write your own material? lol

Well... Yes! I am a published writer. Thanks!

I have pretty much got a job at a local busy restaurant. I have met the manager, and he said I can come in and perform whenever I'd like.

The manager told me I would recieve a hundred dollars, plus tips a night.

Do I understand this correctly?
You already have the job, which pays $100 a night, plus tips. AND you can decide to work whenever you feel like it?

.

Christ, calm down dude. I came here to ask because I realize the majority ( if not all ) of you are pros and/or experienced restaurant magicians. For this reason, I thought I could ask a simple question the pros, could address, but posting your complaint does nothing. I simply asked 2 questions, and by posting them I would have settled for a 2 word answer for Christ's sake. Why get all worked up over something like this? And I never considered it research, it was more of a quick reference or guide, there's no better way to learn than from the best. But if I knew you would explode like that, I wouldn't have even bothered. So seriously bro, chill out, no need to get all worked up.

Most people here aren't even "pubes".

I really don't think you're ready. I even tend to believe that you are lying (and/or exagerating) about a few facts. Basically, this opinion was formed when I read the following:

First problem, most people here aren't "pros". Most people here aren't even "pubes". I would even wager that there are many here who have never been to a real restaurant (McDonalds doesn't count) let alone having seen a real restaurant magician.

Second problem is your comment about "learning from the best". The best obviously aren't here. If you consider them "the best", you will be in for a big suprise.

Notice how I didn't say that you will lose your job. I don't actually believe you have the job, or at least the money aspect is incorrect.


In any case, good luck.

Yeah, sorry dude, I don't think you are ready. My advice? I would wait. Thanks the manager for the offer and the oppertunity, but say you are not going to take it yet, and ask him to keep the job open to you in the future.

Wait a few years (many think more) and prepare yourself for reteraunt work.

May I ask how long you have been performing magic? And how old you are?

I have been performing for 6 years, and was part of a magic club for a long time. I would consider myself nowhere NEAR ready for restaurant work.

And I'm 17, and have been doing magic for 12, nearly 13 years.

You've been a magician since you were four years old?

Magicmaniac1,
I own both Real Work on Restaurants and Bars and Live at the Jailhouse, among others.
If you are looking at those dvd's then good for you. Both are very good. Sankeys I feel has more effects while Jailhouse has more info from a gorup of diffrent magicians.

Always remember when watching those DVD's or speaking to people on the message boards that there are many ways to work the restaurant and many diffrent topics of discussion. Be a sponge, absorb what every one says. From the performers on the dvd's to the local SAM or IBM club members, even the nice (some) people here on the message boards of Penguin. Take all of that info in and use it to shape YOUR routines and attitude towards performing at a restaurant. People seem stand by a specific idea like its the only one that could possibly work and every one else is stupid. Foolish. Be flexiable and open to all ideas and opinions. Just because one person says excepting tips is like begging does not mean that its not for you. Just because one person says that card to mouth is dumb in a restaurant setting does not mean that you can't do it in your setting.
Last but not least, Good Luck.

Cheers,
Adam