Pubs that close for a private function

[Hugo Stiglitz]

One seemingly does it regularly on a Friday or Saturday. It’s ok, nothing special and possibly why it does this. Now another one that’s always busy on a weekend is closed tonight for a private function.


Where’s the benefit? I.e. surely if it’s fairly frequent people will give up going specifically there in case it’s closed or is business that bad that a guaranteed full taking booking is needed?


Am I missing something

[bigpriest]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

One seemingly does it regularly on a Friday or Saturday. It s ok, nothing special and possibly why it does this. Now another one that s always busy on a weekend is closed tonight for a private function.


Where s the benefit? I.e. surely if it s fairly frequent people will give up going specifically there in case it s closed or is business that bad that a guaranteed full taking booking is needed?


Am I missing something

Yes, an invite to a private function

I guess a guaranteed number of punters trapped inside spending all evening stacks up well against an unknown number who might all move on after 8pm?

[sherman]

The function guaruntees £x for the night.
You and your mates might decide to turn up that night or not. You might buy a truck load of beer or nurse a 1/2 shandy all night. You cant really operate on a maybe.

A function on an otherwise traditionally quiet night is a no brainer.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

And then I found this which probably stacks into the mix


https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/f...

[njw1]

As above, it's guaranteed money in the till. I work as a sound technician for a promoter that pays £1k to book a club on a Friday night that would be busy anyway. The club obviously claims it's to cover costs should no-one show up but as it's a popular event they're quids in.

[xx99xx]

I think it's fine if the venue can advertise in advance they're going to be closed. They may put off the locals returning if they turn up randomly and find that it's closed. Although if it happens frequently the locals will already be aware of this possibility.

One of my locals (essentially a cricket club) closes randomly for private events, however they will at least let you sit outside with a beer as the beer garden is a cricket field.

[Sheets Tabuer]

Seen it done round here but it normally closes because the pony and trap brigade will want to come in get hammered and fight the birthday boy.

[Riley Blue]

Similarly we have a little deli that sometimes closes for the afternoon to cater for a function: old folks home, council meeting.

Happens maybe three-four times a month max. No one minds, AFAIK they all return when it reopens.