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The Canary Cage is a well to do Hostess Club in the North District, with a heavy focus on music, singing, and atmosphere. It has its own code of etiquette when it comes to patrons and their activities, but mostly follows the structures of a Japanese Hostess Club (even though there are a few Hosts on staff).
The venue is rather large, it started as a jazz club (well, the Eudio Equivalent), then a gentleman's club, and then finally a Hostess club as of its current owners. It's expanded on each reinvention and the spaces added in each life tell a story of how 'The Cage' has grown.
The Main Room
Pretend that sign says 'Canary Cage' This was the Night Club this venue started as, a large stage, dark lighting, and a lot of seating space. As it is now this is where the bulk of high rollers here to show off will patronize one of the Host staff. Bidding down cash for your favorite singer to take the main stage is a pretty big way to buy the later drinks and polite company of one of these singers. And certain nights of the week a local band of some reknown will show up. And the richest of the idle rich might throw a few coins for their favorite songbird to sing with the band on stage.
Between sets The Band will keep the air alive with their instruments. Letting the Birds mill about and take drinks from the various patrons in the club. Nothing too loud or disconcerting plays unless someone is singing.
The Smaller Rooms
There's a downstairs area that leads off to a half-dozen smaller rooms. In the Cage's past life as a Gentleman's Club these were a few rooms centered around gambling and activities meant to stay private among friends. At the Cage these rooms are for private parties or people who want to patronize a songbird without the cash to pay for the main stage. Most people who come to chat up one of the Host Staff will generally prefer this room over the main room.
When no Songbird is singing, the rooms are usually quiet. However, you can request a member of the Band play without an extra fee. So often a single string or brass instrument will be sent in to keep the air alive.
Private Rooms
Added with the change from Gentleman's Club to Hostess Club, the eight private rooms are the second floor of the building. Usually decorated in ways to make it comfortable and homey, some have a proper table while others have the couches seen above. Songbirds or Musicians can be booked with the room to give your private gatherings a more classy feel. And of course if you want to pay the big money you can (with the Host or Hostess's approval) 'date' one of the Host staff in one of these rooms. The rooms are soundproofed to not interfere with each other, but there are security cameras and monitors on the rooms, the Host Staff, and the bar. In case, naturally.
Host Staff and The Band
The Host staff are collectively called songbirds, male and female. There are a handful of Hosts among the Songbirds to sing duets with the ladies and be charming and gentile. On any given night there are usually nine Hostesses and three Hosts on staff to sing. Each uses a pseudonym in the Cage based on a musician or musical style they prefer. They usually take on attire and act the role attached to the style or motif they connect with. Most are expected to be polite and gentle with guests. Unless they are styled after Rock & Roll (or similarly unruly song styles), which allows for a bit less civility with guests. Rap styled Songbirds are allowed to be a bit more vulgar, Pop generally younger and with more energy. Things to that nature.
The rules around them are generally the same as any Hostess Club. You buy their time with a drink (overpriced, non-alcoholic), or in the case of the Cage you can buy a song from them. Each Songbird has their own menu of songs you can buy from them, the prices vary based on the venue. There's a 50-50 split between the house and the Songbird on most purchases. The exception being Dates, Private Rooms, and Karaoke Duets which carry a 70-30 split in the Songbird's favor.
The Band are various members of staff that play instruments. They aren't expected to take drinks from customers and aren't regularly expected to play the roll of Host or Hostess. Often they also take the roll of wait staff, bartenders, or other jobs around the Cage. It's unusual to buy a date from one of them, but not unheard of. As there's no expected role for them to play, so there's no persona for them to hide behind. If they accept a date it's a lot more personal than one with a Songbird.
Behind the Scenes
There's a main office upstairs, along with the security room. In the basement there's a changing area/locker room for the Staff. The Kitchens and storage area off the main hall on the first floor. Entry to these areas require permission, except for the locker rooms are completely off limits to the customers. You will get banned for life and forcibly removed from the premises if you even think of entering. On top of the public restrooms, there are private restrooms for the staff near each staff-only area.
Hildy the Cellist
Maya's Band name is Hildy, after Hildur Guðnadóttir. She's not a Songbird, opting for the less stressful role of accompanist . She works most nights, and unlike other Band members who serve as the wait/bar staff Maya only plays. Mostly due to how many instruments she can play putting her in more regular use.
Since she has no persona, she's extra choosy about any 'dates.' But she'll get a lot more time playing as she plays so often at the club. She also sings back-up for Songbirds should they need it.
The venue is rather large, it started as a jazz club (well, the Eudio Equivalent), then a gentleman's club, and then finally a Hostess club as of its current owners. It's expanded on each reinvention and the spaces added in each life tell a story of how 'The Cage' has grown.
Pretend that sign says 'Canary Cage'
Between sets The Band will keep the air alive with their instruments. Letting the Birds mill about and take drinks from the various patrons in the club. Nothing too loud or disconcerting plays unless someone is singing.
Etiquette: If your plan for the evening is to buy a drink for a Host or Hostess, you should take a table away from the stage for a quiet chat. Or take your conversation to the bar while another bird is on the stage.
Bar: The main bar has the finest stock of alcohols and drinks possible.
Fees: There's a table fee for taking one of the stages near the stage. Those tables have a modified menu to keep the noise down.
When no Songbird is singing, the rooms are usually quiet. However, you can request a member of the Band play without an extra fee. So often a single string or brass instrument will be sent in to keep the air alive.
Etiquette: Polite conversation is expected, so there aren't quite as many rules as for the main stage. You are expected to forego heckling. Twice a month these rooms serve as Karaoke bars of various themes. Or the occasional private party.
Bar: The bar is stocked and there is a bartender working when any of these rooms is open. However if you want the finer things you buy a bottle and it'll be moved to whatever room you're in when you visit.
Fees: Day to day use has no fees. The smaller rooms can be booked for private events, and there's a fee on karaoke night if you wish to sing with any of the Songbirds (as opposed to alone).
Etiquette: If you've booked a Songbird or Musician you are expected to let them take breaks, usually they work in 30-40 minute sets with a 20 minute break. This is different from inviting them to the table. These rooms are the only rooms where you can buy a meal for a Songbird (or musician), instead of just a drink. These are also the only rooms where you're ever allowed to touch the Songbirds. This is, of course, if they consent. Although generally gentle and polite greetings (which can include kissing on hand or cheek) are expected.
Bar: You can book a bartender, if that's your fancy. But mostly the bar is locked up, with a few drinks there in the open (which will be added to your tab if you touch them). Some of the Host staff can serve drinks, which is more common.
Fees: The private room has a fee to itself which covers meals for your party. The meals can be custom ordered provided chef can make it (calling in ahead helps). There are additional fees if you book a musician, bartender, or Songbird for the evening. Higher if you book them exclusively (taking them off the rotation for the night in the rest of the Cage).
Host Staff and The Band
The Host staff are collectively called songbirds, male and female. There are a handful of Hosts among the Songbirds to sing duets with the ladies and be charming and gentile. On any given night there are usually nine Hostesses and three Hosts on staff to sing. Each uses a pseudonym in the Cage based on a musician or musical style they prefer. They usually take on attire and act the role attached to the style or motif they connect with. Most are expected to be polite and gentle with guests. Unless they are styled after Rock & Roll (or similarly unruly song styles), which allows for a bit less civility with guests. Rap styled Songbirds are allowed to be a bit more vulgar, Pop generally younger and with more energy. Things to that nature.
The rules around them are generally the same as any Hostess Club. You buy their time with a drink (overpriced, non-alcoholic), or in the case of the Cage you can buy a song from them. Each Songbird has their own menu of songs you can buy from them, the prices vary based on the venue. There's a 50-50 split between the house and the Songbird on most purchases. The exception being Dates, Private Rooms, and Karaoke Duets which carry a 70-30 split in the Songbird's favor.
The Band are various members of staff that play instruments. They aren't expected to take drinks from customers and aren't regularly expected to play the roll of Host or Hostess. Often they also take the roll of wait staff, bartenders, or other jobs around the Cage. It's unusual to buy a date from one of them, but not unheard of. As there's no expected role for them to play, so there's no persona for them to hide behind. If they accept a date it's a lot more personal than one with a Songbird.
Etiquette: The usual courtship period between Songbird and patron is about a month. You're expected to have at least three drinks and buy a few songs before you can ask for a private room or a date. Although some of the Birds will act sooner, the establishment puts their safety over your checkbook. Once you've courted a little, shown you're not a creep, then the managers might suggest the girls should take you up, but it is still up to them.
Behind the Scenes
There's a main office upstairs, along with the security room. In the basement there's a changing area/locker room for the Staff. The Kitchens and storage area off the main hall on the first floor. Entry to these areas require permission, except for the locker rooms are completely off limits to the customers. You will get banned for life and forcibly removed from the premises if you even think of entering. On top of the public restrooms, there are private restrooms for the staff near each staff-only area.
Hildy the Cellist
Maya's Band name is Hildy, after Hildur Guðnadóttir. She's not a Songbird, opting for the less stressful role of accompanist . She works most nights, and unlike other Band members who serve as the wait/bar staff Maya only plays. Mostly due to how many instruments she can play putting her in more regular use.
Since she has no persona, she's extra choosy about any 'dates.' But she'll get a lot more time playing as she plays so often at the club. She also sings back-up for Songbirds should they need it.
