>No, even at places with live music don’t charge covers

Serious question, if you don't expect to pay a cover charge for live music or entertainment, what do you think a cover charge is? Considering 'a charge added to the amount that a customer pays for food and drink in a restaurant or nightclub to pay for service or entertainment' is literally the definition of a cover charge.

>I’ve only been in Worcester for a few months so if it’s a city thing cool

This is a 'most of the United States' thing.