Russ

Nice problem to have. A friend of mine has an open gig at a restaurant. Any weekend night he's not doing a party he can play there. He also has some good subs, myself included, who they trust him to send in. Perfect situation.
The part about them not liking subs is what bothers me. If you had a quality fill in person it could be a plus for both of you. You get a break and get to do a $$$ party and they get a break from you, in a good way. Jobs like that can get stale for both sides. I remember a great organist/keyboarist who did 6 nights in a restaurant. At 11PM the waitresses would all try to be in the kitchen because thats the time he always did Chatannoga Choo Choo with LOUD train noises on his Mini Moog HA!

Anyway its pretty simple. Where are you in your playing career? Trying to make a living or doing it for fun/part time/ extra cash. Doing it for a living you gotta go with the sure thing. I myself wouldn't want to be that tied down anymore, its more "beer money" for me so I just do the parties for good $$$.
Either way good luck, its good to hear that real music lives!

Bill in NJ