I have a dilemma. Opinions are appreciated(a little long and rambling) Update: I was just offered another job!

As some of you know I currently work as a bartender/singer at a well known piano bar. I love my job, but it is difficult to work until 3-4am and then get up at 6-7am to audition for shows. My current job atmosphere is that of a dysfunctional family. I love everyone, but several of my friends/coworkers have little to no work ethic. They tend to sit on their a$$ when it comes to the bartending/serving side and feel like they are just there to sing their sets. It is starting to wear thin. I have a great work ethic and sometimes get upset that I have to split my tips with people that put out as little effort as possible. I guess in a nutshell I have been looking to get out of the piano bar business and just work in a normal bar.

Okay here is my dilemma.

Yesterday, I was offered my pick of shifts at a piano bar that is opening at the end of Feb. It seems like it is going to be a more structured setup. The people who own it really seem to have their act together and they expect people to not only be great singers, but also hard working service industry people. That appeals to me, but I still have the issue of working until the wee hours of the morning. I also feel a little guilty because this place is going to be direct competition with my current job. I will continue to work where I do now until I see if this place is going to make money, but I am going to have to keep it on the DL. I guess my question is should I take this job or continue to look for a lunch or HH shift at a busy midtown bar/restaurant?

I apologize for rambling on and I hope I made a little sense. I just have such mixed feelings I thought that maybe I needed an outside perspective. TIA!!


Update:

Well, it appears as if I have 3 bartending jobs. My current, the new piano bar (which I accepted earlier today) and Heartland Brewery is opening a new location next week and I start training tomorrow(at 11am and I work until 4am tonight). I have no idea what I am going to do. I cannot work 3 jobs, audition and when would I see my DH. I just wish I had 3 show offers, but hey you take what you can get.

I think that I will see how this Heartland thing goes and then decide between the piano bar gigs when the other place opens at the end of Feb. Thanks for listening!!!!

I'm really not sure! Do you enjoyu the singin aspect? Does it make your job more enjoyable? Would you miss it? At the new bar, could you pick a slightly earlier shift?
Ultimately you have to think abou what's best for your acareer though, because I know that if you go an audition tired and worn out it makes a HUGE difference. I don't know what tot ell you, but *hugs*. What are the advantages of working this night shift that a lunch or toher shift wouldn't allow? This new palce definitely sounds better than the place where you are now, if they really have thier stuff togetehr and you wouldn;t ave to share tips with people who do nothing. Best

That seems like a hard decision to make. It has its pros and cons. In the end you have to think what is going to be more important to you. What are you willing to sacrifice. What are your priorities. I hope this helps but maybe not, Its just my opinion. Good luck with whatever decision you make.

I don't know...hmmmmmmm..I think you should take a chance and work at the new piano bar. Maybe between now and than, you can apply to other places and see what else comes your way.

Since the new piano bar is opening up at the end of Feb., maybe you can tell them that you can start at the end of March, so that this way you can kind of keep track on how they are doing..

Tell them that you have been with the other bar for a while and they are short staffed..blah blah blah..and really need some time to find someone to replace you..

Let us know what you decide on.
Good luck!!

What I learned a long time ago, is that pretty much any company, no matter how wonderful the employee is, if push came to shove and they needed to fire or lay off people, they won't hesitate to lay you off. I used to work for a company that paid VERY little, the people used to work 20-30 extra hours a WEEK for nothing, and they still laid us off (a huge company, not just a little teeny one)... and the people who got laid off were like, 'what the heck, I worked SO hard for you people, and you just throw me away?'

In other words, what's good for you is what's good for the world... there is no such thing as loyalty--if the new bar is a good opportunity for you and it would make you happy--then go for it. I would try not to feel bad about the other place. You have to take care of number one--you.

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Posted by Danielle

What I learned a long time ago, is that pretty much any company, no matter how wonderful the employee is, if push came to shove and they needed to fire or lay off people, they won't hesitate to lay you off. I used to work for a company that paid VERY little, the people used to work 20-30 extra hours a WEEK for nothing, and they still laid us off (a huge company, not just a little teeny one)... and the people who got laid off were like, 'what the heck, I worked SO hard for you people, and you just throw me away?'

In other words, what's good for you is what's good for the world... there is no such thing as loyalty--if the new bar is a good opportunity for you and it would make you happy--then go for it. I would try not to feel bad about the other place. You have to take care of number one--you.

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Thank you for putting it that way. You are exactly right.

Heidi!!

I don't even have one job and you have three!!!

Good luck and like someone else said, do what works for YOU. (I wish you had three shows too ).