Having been closed for 3 weeks, last weeks full schedule of events felt like a shock to the system! League Pool, Castle Comedy, Drag Cabaret, a Prodigy Tribute, BYO Vinyl and a hard rock band... It's like we never left!!!
Like many small businesses, running a grassroots venue in Leighton Buzzard is more of a lifestyle choice than a job. 6 days a week, all life consuming, unsociable hours, jack of all trades (I am sure that any business owners reading this can relate), but luckily, despite the many eye-roll moments working with the general public can bring, I absolutely love it!!! That said, by the end of 2024 I was utterly brain-fried & had completely run out of steam!
A lot of the hospitality trade, having worked so hard over the festive season, take a bit of a break in January. Trade often dips as people are off the booze, skint, cold and fed up with indulgent foods, as they're often still making their way through the stash of chocolate oranges they hoarded over Christmas! So it makes sense for restaurants and pubs to use that time to rest, even if it's just for a little bit.
While wet sales is our main source of income and there's no denying that January sales take a bit of a knock, the event trade actually is pretty decent. The Christmas TV marathons have worn thin and people get bored being at home. So whilst I wanted a break... Needed a break, realistically, January wasn't the time. February, however, is a different story!
Once January (the longest month ever), is finally over, people seem tired, the Winter Blues set in. It's not even that people are enjoying being at home, just semi-hibernating, only leaving the house for the necessities and waiting for Spring. Everyone has just had enough of the cold and grey and the best nights out in the world would still be a hard sell.
PERFECT! February is the time for us to have a break!
So, "What have we been up to?" I hear you ask. Well, firstly, me and Mr B spent a few days in the sun, abusing the free bar at some tourist-typical resort in The Canaries (with ghastly "family friendly" entertainment)... and whilst it felt very much like getting pissed in a Working Mans Club on a volcano, it was 25 degrees, the beach was lush and there was a buffet... so it was the ideal destination for a knackered old heiffer in need of some downtime.
Starved of decent entertainment, we spent the weekend of our return having a (bit too much of a) good time at Ollie Vees, then the next day, trekked to Ally Pally for a Gogol Bordello/Dropkick Murphy's gig (which was a mission, as we were cold, tired & hanging out our arse)!
The following weekend we had the Gazza Records takeover for GAZZAFEST5: 2x vinyl DJs, 3x original bands and a Dub sound system. It was a really great night: well attended, fantastic music, chilled atmosphere... In fact, we are currently talking to Gazza to see if this could become an annual event!
The list of jobs that would be useful to complete whilst we were closed was extensive! Having had my weeks break, there was only 2 more weeks before we re-opened. As we would be earning no money for the month, I would need to be careful with the budget (sadly the bills don't go away just because we choose to not open), and really prioritise works.
The biggest thing that needed to happen had nothing to do with the bar (well, physically)! It was the events. Having taken a couple of days to trawl through the accounts with our business manager, it was clear that hosing 5 events each week, was working. But booking, writing, promoting and running 5 events a week continuously is problematic! I'd end up being so busy that week, that the following week we would have to run less events... which then created more problems, as the non-event trade in LB is already limited, and having sporadically turned away bar-trade for events, it was going to be almost impossible to build it back to a point where it could generate the income we can achieve during an event! Regular monthly events had to be the way forward: Every 2nd Wednesday is the quiz, every last Wednesday is Comedy etc... It was always the plan, but like with everything, it needed time! So that became our biggest priority.
Job 1:
Sorting the events schedule so that by the end of the 2nd quarter of this year, we will have regular monthly events running 5 days every week.
Job 2:
The website would need to change. It's great having all of the events listed in it's current format, but as we get to the point of listing 5 events per week for multiple months, it's going to be a bloody long list!!!
Job 3:
Then finally, we needed a bit of a spruce of the furniture and artwork, and some TLC to our handmade floor, that was in desperate need of sanding and oiling (a job that can only be done while we are closed).
There were some other unavoidable bits that needed to be done during that time too: we had a new beer install (Alpacalypse Session IPA), and I needed to submit the VAT etc etc.
Looking back the timeframe was always going to be optimistic (3 weeks to have a holiday, festival, file the vat, have a new beer install, book/create 250 events, remodel the website) but, you know I love a challenge!!!
Obviously, we didn't complete absolutely everything on the list before we reopened. But the good news is, that the bulk of it is done: the floor is sanded and oiled, artwork up, furniture varnished, website under construction, vast majority of the events are booked, waiting to launch. The bad news is people keep asking me if I'm well rested! I can't remember when I last had a hair cut, I'm covered in sawdust, elbow deep in wood varnish and me trying to construct a website is like watching a Chimp with a deckchair... So no, not really!!!
And normal service resumes!!!
I will send out details of all the new events we have coming up and also let you know when our new website is ready for you to marvel at! But for now, here's what we have coming up this month at The Crooked Crow Bar...
Thursday 06/03/25: OSP INTRODUCING
Original Sound Promotions present 3x fantastic bands:
Chain Reaction,
Sleep Walk,
Blunden.
This is your chance to support the original music scene, independent business & grassroots venues, all in one EPIC night of live music!!!
Entry just £3 on the door.
Doors: 8pm
18+
OSP Introducing will take place every 1st Thursday of the month, bring you the best original music on the circuit.
Friday 9pm: My Space Or Yours
Rewind to 00s Kerrang! As we bring you live Pop Punk, Emo & Screamo belters from 9pm.
Tickets available from our website (& selling fast)!!!!
Saturday 12-6pm: BYO VINYL
All genres welcome, great decks & sound system, no pre-booking/slots, just pop down, meet some like minded music lovers and give your favourite vinyl a spin!
Saturday 9pm: Sh*t Shirt Saturday!!!
Don your finest Bobby Dazzler shirt and join us for live music from That's What She Said! Rocked up pop punk and cheesy pop classics, perfect for our Sh*t Shirt party!!!! Free Entry.
Sunday 12-4pm: Old Skool House
DJ Wout is back with an afternoon of absolute vinyl belters.
Plus pool table and board games, great beer & coffee. Free Entry.
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