Last week was another strange one. Not bad, just quieter than normal, which given our current predicament, was always going to be a bit of a worry! Obviously, we are fully aware that even the best of venues will have quiet times every now and again, it is the nature of the beast, but it serves as a massive boot up the backside for us to not lose focus on our plans to get the bar caught up with where it ought to be. The last time we wrote about these plans we created a bit of a panic and the Leighton Buzzard infamous rumour mill went into overdrive! So deep breaths people, let's not lose our heads!!! But we do need to be realistic about the unavoidable damage those 1st 2 years have created and stay focussed on fixing it. As the occasional quiet week is inevitable, relying so heavily on a Saturday night trade to bolster each week is a dangerous strategy. Admittedly it is the business model for most pubs across the country, but as we all know how many pubs have disappeared over the last few years, it is not a strategy we are happy to adopt! Besides, it was never our intention to be a pub, so while we have every intention on keeping our Saturday nights the epic, busy, great fun nights with awesome free live music, that they are, we also need to knuckle down and get the rest of our plans actioned.
SAVE FROM EXTINCTION: PROGRESS REPORT
The good news is that over the last couple of months we have been growing steadily. Our marketing has increased and thankfully, word of mouth has returned after it's hiatus caused by lockdowns, face masks and zoom calls. Word of mouth is SO important to our business. The fine line between hidden gem and underutilised space can be make or break in this industry! We are not going to be everyone's cup of tea, (sod them, we prefer beer anyway!) but you, as our flock of music-loving pissheads, can really help us take Leighton by storm! If you love our bar... tell someone! Invite your friends. Share our posts. Tag us in your social media posts. Check in online. Leave us a Google review (preferably a good one)! Pop down and see us. Prop up the bar. Try a Pie. Come see a gig. I know we have said it before, but we mean it, your support make's such a difference and we really appreciate it, so please don't stop.
As well as marketing, we have been busy launching many of the projects that had previously been forced on the backburner.
Our monthly jam night has been a great success and we have been overwhelmed by the level of talent that has been taking part. We look forward to seeing this event grow to the mammoth beast of it's potential!
Our next Jam night will be on Thursday 14th July.
With a fantastic house band and drum kit, pa, monitors, mics, stands, and amps provided, this is an event for musicians to be able to get up on our stage and have some fun, drink some beer and bang out some awesome tunes. If you wish to participate, just let us know on the night. You will need to bring your guitar or sticks (depending on what you play) and we will give you a shout when it's time for you to rock out!
The Pie Nest (Saturday & Sunday 12-4pm)
Our new food offering each weekend has been a huge success. We are relieved to report that the people of Leighton Buzzardshire are all as big a fan of delicious pie and mash as we are!!! Pieminister really do deliver the goods, providing award winning pies and patties, using British, free range ingredients, with vegan and gluten free options available.
Unfortunately the Pie Nest will not be landing this week at The Crooked Crow Bar, but will be returning as normal from next week.
Our online shop launched on our website and it has been so awesome to see so many of you come down sporting our merch!
We have several different designs and tons of products to choose from and each order that is made helps raise money for The Crooked Crow Bar.
So now you can support your favourite independent events bar whilst looking cooler than a penguins todger!!!
Castle Comedy Night has returned to The Crooked Crow Bar the last Wednesday of each month to put on some brilliant stand up comedy. This month we have a classic mixed bill of comedy featuring TV names and rising stars.
Coming up on 29th June:
SCOTT BENNETT - He is the star of the latest series of Live At The Apollo and destined to be a household name! In 2020 Scott was voted “Best Act” in the Comics Comic Awards, a prestigious award decided by comedians and promoters in the industry. He has supported Michael McIntyre and Rob Brydon on their UK tours. Catch him here before he is selling out theatres and arenas on his own!
IAN STONE - The Independent ranks him amongst the top ten stand-ups in Britain! He is one of the most talented topical acts in the country and a regular on television screens. Ian is the star of BT Sports 'The Football's On' and presents My5’s topical show ‘Comedy Bigmouths’. He has also appeared on 'Nevermind the Buzzcoks' and ‘Live at the Comedy Store’.
Your host for the show is Paul Revill. He is an award-winning comedian and one of the most likable acts on the UK comedy circuit.
Doors: 7.30pm
This month our 1st Eco Social will be here at The Crooked Crow Bar from 7.30pm.
Held every 3rd Wednesday of each month, this is a relaxed way to meet likeminded people who care about the environment.
This is an informal meet up and everybody is welcome. (Next meet up at The CCB will be Wednesday 20th July)
There will be board games, pool and darts available to play, great beers on tap, crow cocktails, locally roasted coffee, friendly atmosphere and (of course) awesome tunes.
Dogs allowed. Outside food allowed. Over 16s only. Free Entry
This month sees the return of our fantastic Café Vibes Sessions. Thursday 16th June, 8pm.
With our usual great beers, wine, crow cocktails & locally roasted coffees, 1person cheeseboards, a mix of seating & standing space and a brilliant atmosphere, we bring you some of the best, chilled live music on the circuit!
June 16th: Beautiful summer tunes from acoustic duo, Little White Lights
June 23rd: Soulful Blues singer /guitarist Robert J Hunter is guaranteed to blow you away
8pm. Over 16s only. Free Entry
June 16th: Little White Lights
June 23rd: Robert J Hunter
We are still making headway with a few other regular events that we hope to be launching in the coming weeks (watch this space)! Our plans for an inhouse escape room and monthly podcast are coming along nicely, so we should be able to release a launch date very soon. We have set a date for our summer panto... The Crooked Crow Bar Musical, for the 19th August AND we have booked in some EPIC gigs over the next few months, including Del Bronham's Stray (30th June), Chris Difford from Squeeze (15th Sept), Gaz Brookfield (29th Sept), Bex Marshall & Ian Seigal (7th July), The John Otway Band (4th August) and Paul Ronney Angel & The Bad Mofo's (18th August), so make a note in your diaries!!!
Last week we had a fantastic night with our monthly quiz, The Rooters blew us away with their awesome Crow debut on Friday and whilst it was unusual for us to host an acoustic band on a Saturday night, The Scallywags played a fantastic set, perfect for the Summer! This week we have a jam-packed schedule of events, so check it out!!!
FRIDAY: LAST MINUTE BRIGADE
Now we don't usually do a free entry Friday, but as the last couple of weekends have been a little quieter than usual, we thought we would do our best to entice you back to the dark side with some dance-friendly, banging rock and pop classics from Queen to Erasure!
Trust us, last time these lads played we needed to take a couple of days to recover.... they were BRILLIANT!! So hold onto your liver's people, this weekend is NOT to be missed!!!!
9pm Start
Air con will be on full power!!!!
Free Entry
SATURDAY: EL BRONSON
Hold onto your sombreros Amigo's as those super sexy, moshing Mexicans are back in town and are ready to blow you away with their awesomely perverted, powerhouse performance of iconic hard rock, metal & dance classics!
These guys always put on a legendary show and as such we are likely to be busy, so we recommend you arrive early to ensure entry.
Free Entry
Over 16s only (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult)
WED: ECO SOCIAL / BAR NIGHT
THURS: CAFE VIBES ft LITTLE WHITE LIGHTS
FRIDAY: LAST MINUTE BRIGADE
SATURDAY: 12-6pm BYO VINYL 9pm EL BRONSON
SUNDAY: SUNDAY VIBES 12-4pm
*The Pie Nest will not be landing this weekend at the Crow, but they will be returning next week!
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