Women shocked after being charged for listening to live music at a restaurant

Uncovering the final bill is always faintly dramatic. In many cases you might be pleasantly surprised, but there’s always the chance of getting stung by the drinks you’ve already forgotten about or a gratuity charge that doesn’t fit the standard of service.

Some additions to an itemised bill can be pretty galling, too. They used bottled water instead of tap? We’ve been charged for those bread rolls?

We’ve paid for the pleasure of half-listening to a live band? What?

The bill in question, featuring music and antibiotics (AsperLDN97/Reddit)

That’s exactly the situation a group of women found themselves after dining out at an unnamed UK eatery. Posting on Reddit, AsperLDN97 shared his girlfriend’s receipt from a meal out with three of her friends that showed they had each received an £8 charge for the live band.

"GF and her friends were charged for live music at a restaurant," they explained in the Reddit post. "Is this a new thing? Never come across this before..."

Some said it wasn’t the first time they’d seen such outlandish charges on a restaurant bill.

"We did this at a restaurant I worked at,” said one comment. “We had music every night and the menu stated there was an $8 cover charge per person when there was music playing. The money went right to the musician(s). Nobody ever complained, the key was having signs everywhere.”

It’s good to hear that it’s money straight in some musicians’ pockets – everyone knows it’s a rough gig these days – but it seems the charge was a complete surprise to these ladies.

"Cover charge for listening to live music has been around for years but they normally collect fees at the door,” said another. “However, people don’t really carry cash now so they add it to the bill instead.”

Another agreed: "It’s effectively a door cover charge. I wouldn’t sweat it as long as the band was good and the charge was announced upfront.”

Others were quick to say they wouldn’t tolerate the charge if it had come as a surprise.

"I’d cross that out unless there was an obvious sign stating that there was a charge for music. They need to disclose this before ordering," said one such comment.

"Nope, not paying that unless I knew about it upfront and then would happily pay it," said another.

"What if you didn’t even go there for the live music and went for the food and there happened to be live music? Yea, I wouldn’t be happy with this," posited another.

Unfortunately, the Redditor didn't say what kind of music the band was playing (Izzet Keribar/Getty Images)

"Live music is a draw for your establishment,” chimed yet another in the lively thread. “You don't charge your patrons for the music. You pay the musicians to potentially attract more customers and get more business.

"Unless I had a stellar experience at that restaurant, I'd question the charge and would not be returning."

Eagle-eyed commenters noted another bizarre item on the bill: "I’d be more concerned about the penicillin fee, myself.”

Who on earth ordered the antibiotics? Don’t they know that penicillin pairs poorly with a Mezcal Collins?