Imagine enjoying a quiet dinner out, only to find a surprise charge for music you didn’t even ask for. How would you react?
Dining out should be simple—good food, good company, and hopefully, a smooth bill at the end. But one Reddit user’s experience turned heads when a mysterious “live music” fee appeared on their check, leaving them and their friends baffled.
The charge? £8 ($10) per person. For a group of four, that meant a total of £32 ($41)—just for some tunes. The problem? They had no clue they were being charged for it.
A Sneaky Addition to the Tab
Sure, paying for live music isn’t unheard of. But shouldn’t you know about it first? If you’re going out for dinner and not expecting a show, finding a hidden fee can feel like a slap in the face.
The Reddit post, accompanied by a photo of the bill, explained: “GF and her friends were charged for live music at a restaurant.” And the internet had thoughts.
One commenter summed it up perfectly: “If you’re gonna charge, do it at the door. I’d be livid to see this on my bill.”
Another chimed in with a relatable question: “What if you didn’t even care about the live music and just wanted dinner? Why should you pay for something you didn’t plan for?”
The Venue Speaks Up
Interestingly, one eagle-eyed commenter recognized the venue as a jazz bar in London called ‘mu’ and offered some insight. According to the venue’s website, the live music fee is an optional cover charge of £8 per person. It’s meant to support the musicians and can be removed if requested.
Still, how many diners feel comfortable asking to remove a fee like that? It’s awkward at best and frustrating at worst.
Should Restaurants Be Clearer About Fees?
This incident raises an important question: Should restaurants make such charges clearer upfront? It’s one thing to enjoy dinner and a show, but diners deserve transparency. Sneaky fees—no matter how small—can leave a bad taste in anyone’s mouth.
What do you think? Would you argue to remove a charge like this? Or just let it slide and vow never to return? Share this with your friends and see if they’ve experienced something similar!
