STRICTLY NO DANCING
CORONAVIRUS REGULATIONS NIGHTCLUB TO REOPEN BUT WITH ‘NO DANCEFLOOR, NO MINGLING AND NO RAISED VOICES’
ABRISTOL nightclub is reopening this weekend – but there’ll be no dancefloor, mingling or raised voices due to coronavirus regulations.
The Crofters Rights in Stokes Croft will be reopening its doors for a “sit-down party” following its closure on March 20.
Prior to the coronavirus lockdown, the club had long queues of people stood outside nearly every single night but it is certain to be a little quieter this weekend as they adhere to social distancing rules.
It will be a free entry event running from 8pm to 1am, with revellers able to walk in without table reservations on a first come first served basis – but they must take a seat once inside.
Organisers have said the event has been created with Covid guidelines “at the forefront of [their] minds” in order for it to be safe and hygienic for everyone.
Thor – Distilled Music will be DJing on Friday and Oh My Rosh & Friends will be selecting the tunes on Saturday.
The venue has asked people:
» Not to attend the event if they have Covid symptoms and/or are feeling unwell.
» Not to shout or raise voices whilst on the premises to minimise the spread of the virus.
» To use the available hand sanitisers upon entering and leaving Crofters and before and after using the toilets
» Not to leave their seats during the event unless they are going to the toilet or the designated smoking area
They reiterated they are “committed to providing a safe space for all”.
In July owners decided to open Picton Street Summer Garden so people could still meet up, socialise and drink in a safe space whilst adhering to social distancing guidelines.
The beer and cafe garden took over the site of former outdoor street food market The Rabbit Hole, which first opened in December 2018.
In a Facebook post in May, the Crofters Rights team said that they had “kept quiet for the moment” on the subject of fundraising and made the decision that they will be avoiding starting one “until [they] absolutely have to”.
They said: “We’re fully aware live music will not be coming at any point soon and need to try other things to be in the best position to remain open when it does return.
“We’ve decided to open up a beer garden across the road from us which will hopefully help us during the summer months where we are usually quieter.
“Please await opening announcements but for now you can start dreaming of a cold pint in the sun.
“Again another thank you for everybody’s support not only to us but the whole music industry.”
The nightclub industry has been one of the last to reopen following lockdown in March, with many in the night-time economy calling for more Government support.
Sister Bliss from dance act Faithless recently told BBC 6 Music that UK nightclubs have been “left to rot in a corner” amid the pandemic.
The musician and DJ told BBC Radio 6 Music club culture should be better protected.
“There’s a lack of leadership at the top which means certain industries have been given support and then others have been completely ignored,” she said. “The electronic music scene and clubbing is an incredible part of our cultural and economic force, and it travels all over the world.
“We really, I think, have been left to rot in a corner.”