Strange Brew launch crowdfunding campaign to secure venue's future

Strange Brew launch crowdfunding campaign to secure venue's future

Posted on: 23 Nov 2020

The new Fairfax Street venue hosted its long-awaited opening in September.

 

The team behind popular new venue Strange Brew have launched an emergency crowdfunding campaign to ensure its survival, just two months after they were finally able to open for the first time.

 

Strange Brew represents an exciting new addition to Bristol's musical landscape, home to a performance space, bar and in-house record store, located inside a former car showroom in the city centre.

 

But, amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis, the venue has been hit hard by two lockdowns, the government's 22:00 hospitality curfew and a 70% reduction in capacity to meet social distancing guidelines.

 

The owners are looking to raise £15,000 to cover ongoing rent and operating costs, which would enable them to reopen as soon as it's safe to do so, and eventually host a range of events at full capacity once coronavirus restrictions are lifted.

 

 

Built almost from the ground up by Bristol promoters DIRTYTALK and a dedicated crew of volunteers, the opening of Strange Brew was well over a year in the making before its first events in mid-September.

 

The team launched an initial crowdfunding campaign to support the project back in May 2019, which saw more than £50,000 raised in a little under a month.

 

So far, Strange Brew has proven incredibly popular as a sit-down bar and socially-distanced events space, hosting some of Bristol's best-loved DJs and promoters as well as a selection of renowned live acts.

 

But, with capacity currently limited to just 75 and the government's 22:00 curfew having a major impact on income, the venue now faces an uncertain future.

 

 

Launching their crowdfunding campaign on their social media channels, the team said: "We had really hoped to avoid needing to fundraise but unfortunately being ineligible for government funding has put us in a precarious position.

 

"In just a short couple of months since Strange Brew opened its doors, we have been overwhelmed by the positive response and the community already building up around it.

 

"Despite the restrictions, we were finding ways to make it work & to make it a vibrant place to be."

 

For more information on Strange Brew, to donate to their campaign or to follow news and updates, head to their Facebook page.

 

Main Image: Paul Samuel White

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Article by:

Matt Robson

 

Editor - 365Bristol.com & LOUD Magazine
 

Matt is a Journalism graduate and writer, passionate about supporting Bristol music, art and independent business. Get in touch via email at matt@365bristol.com.