Great gig story and even better advise from the Pros who've been there. I've always taken care of the help and mentioned them during the night. It goes a long way.
I've also had some great gigs. Best was a hugh Chinese restaurant years ago. B3/piano. As soon as the dining room was empty I was done so it was and early night. No bar to hold a crowd. All the help and some regulars went next door to a motel that the same people owned and they had a big bar so we hung out there. Everything comped for me all night and the owners so polite you couldn't believe it.
The other side is when I used to do the higher end weddings in NJ. My rule was the nicer the place the worse you are treated !
I've seen the dumpsters and greasy back doors of every high end place in the state HA!
Go to a VFW or Elks Lodge for a party and your treated like gold.

Bill in NJ