I used to have some top nights out at the earl of a weekend but recently I've heard reports of it all going wrong!
Is this true, it was always a little 'edgy' but full scale fights are what I've heard!

It did go mega downhill, but reliable sources tell me that it's now going back uphill because management have started to take the dodginess problem seriously.

the unfortunate "luck" of being a venue that opens until later than most other peoples is that it becomes a major knobhead magnet. it gets even worse in the last few weeks when we have been open until 6am on some weekend nights.

to date, i can't recall any full-scale fights :), but the last few incidents here were caused by silly folk that have had too much to drink, and resisting efforts by bar staff and doormen to leave the premises in a gentle way...

the policy at the Earl is simple. everyone should be able to have fun their own way. but if any staff or other patrons feel harassed, out you go.

we're starting to really stamp out the "idiots" that subscribe to the "Blades rule" or "Owls rule" mentality. we don't have time for them. but alas, the last six incidents here have happened _outside_ the venue because we won't let that "football hooligans" (for want of a better word) in.

bear with us. we're trying hard.

I used to have some top nights out at the earl of a weekend but recently I've heard reports of it all going wrong!
Is this true, it was always a little 'edgy' but full scale fights are what I've heard!

Gee, as the owner I wasn't aware of any fights worth mentioning, just the usual tossers here and there from time to time? I actually have less incidents here than any of the other clubs I'm involved in, and by far the best chilled out venue. But as bigbear says, late late bar you will get donkeys. Still having said that I have personally got involved recently to assure anyone that measures, very stern measures have been taken to stop any nonsense. Seems now it's reasonable, but when you are a boozer and the only one that opens to 6am in sheffield, from time to time you're bound to get a drama here and there. :-)
Still we take all that seriously, which is why 20+ CCTV internet remote streamable cameras are installed, and every incident that has ever happened has been so well filmed and documented, that it could be resold as entertainment in any reality TV show! We shall keep on top of it and keep the good times and vibes going.

No quite simply. Last night there were about 300 people in and it was open until 4 am with both room going, Not one incident all night. There have been a few problems in the last few months but nothing major and certainly nothing like some of the rumours that come back to me.
It's a case of chinese wispers and things get distorted until they contain one nugget of truth and the rest is made up crap. The last major incident that I can recall happened in November and that was stuff that carried on from another pub earlier in the evening.
The last thing the promoters, owners and staff want is trouble or idiots causing trouble as it ruins the hard won reputation of the nights and venue.

Good stuff!
Appreciate all efforts to remove nobs from the venue!
In my experience the door staff have been some of the best in Sheffield and have sorted any trouble out very quickly.
Its worth the efforts, its a great place with lots of friendly folk, lets beat the killjoys!:thumbsup:

i know some nights can be a bit dodge but infuse on a thursday is a realy good nite and its a realy nice atmosphere.

I drove past the Earl on Saturday night at about 1am-ish and there were at least two police cars with police hanging around outside - anyone know why? But I was there on Friday night until 4am and it's true there wasn't any trouble then.

The Earl is now on the police "stop by root" Which means that they swing by, on their root around London Rd and Bramell Lane.

I have been running Future Funk down there for some time now. And i can safely say, the place is now better than it ever was!

Anybody with an attitude problem is stopped at the door and refused entry!!
On Saturday, the bouncers were brilliant. As was the crowd, music and Vibe.

Next Future Funk: Sat March 4th...come and check us out...bet you like it.

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They do serve pints at the weekend - I should know I drank enough of them on Friday! And the football crowd were absent for a long time last year, they just re-emerged towards the end. But I have heard rumours of a stabbing quite recently...

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The stabbing happened on my night (spannered) and it happened at the end of november/early december. The person involved didn't want to involve the police for some reason when the security, myself and owners wanted too. Video footage was made availible to them and they didn't want to know.
The only medical treatment they wanted was first aid when security and myself wanted them to go to A+E for a check up.
I have a good idea who did it as does the person who got stabbed and they want it left alone.
In my above post I said there had been one major incident and that was it.

to confirm what Carcrash posted, the aforementioned stabbing has been the only major incident that i am aware of to date for the last few months.

and carcrash is also correct is stating that video footage (including car registration number, clearly visible faces) and statements from staff & patrons were offered to the "victim" of the stabbing (a wound about 2cm wide by 0.75cm deep) but the "victim" decided not to proceed with any action.

we believe that the stabbing was the result of an ongoing fracas that been involving both parties that was unfortunately brought into our premises.

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last sunday morning at 1am the police were called to the premises as the doors were already shut to new patrons but a group of (let's call them) "football-loving knobheads that follow owls in the dark" decided they had some magical right of entry and decided to kick down the door and try to barge into the premises. unfortunately, this would seriously disrupt the fun of everyone else already in there.

thanks to my rather hefty build, along with the assistance of some other folk, a concerted effort to hold them off at the entrance despite the broken door was undertaken. we held the line, until the finest from South Yorkshire arrived, at which time the aforementioned knobheads decided it was best to make a hasty exit from the area.

but once again, we have video footage. and yes, we do know who they are.

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and now, as to the first issue Agent Gypo raised, the Earl has had a 2am licence since April 2005. nothing illegal in opening until that time.

we still have a 2am licence, but are specifically applying for 6am late opening on certain weekends that special events are on. for example, last saturday night future funk continued on until nearly 4am.

there is nothing illegal in our opening hours, contrary to what might seem to be implied.

as to the second issue regarding pints vs bottles, we tend to serve with glassware until around 2am-3am. at that time, we tend to run with reduced staff numbers which would make it very difficult to collect/wash/transport glasses around the premises.

i guess it's a small price to pay in order to be able to party on longer...

to confirm what Carcrash posted, the aforementioned stabbing has been the only major incident that i am aware of to date for the last few months.

and carcrash is also correct is stating that video footage (including car registration number, clearly visible faces) and statements from staff & patrons were offered to the "victim" of the stabbing (a wound about 2cm wide by 0.75cm deep) but the "victim" decided not to proceed with any action.

we believe that the stabbing was the result of an ongoing fracas that been involving both parties that was unfortunately brought into our premises.

---
last sunday morning at 1am the police were called to the premises as the doors were already shut to new patrons but a group of (let's call them) "football-loving knobheads that follow owls in the dark" decided they had some magical right of entry and decided to kick down the door and try to barge into the premises. unfortunately, this would seriously disrupt the fun of everyone else already in there.

thanks to my rather hefty build, along with the assistance of some other folk, a concerted effort to hold them off at the entrance despite the broken door was undertaken. we held the line, until the finest from South Yorkshire arrived, at which time the aforementioned knobheads decided it was best to make a hasty exit from the area.

but once again, we have video footage. and yes, we do know who they are.

---
and now, as to the first issue Agent Gypo raised, the Earl has had a 2am licence since April 2005. nothing illegal in opening until that time.

we still have a 2am licence, but are specifically applying for 6am late opening on certain weekends that special events are on. for example, last saturday night future funk continued on until nearly 4am.

there is nothing illegal in our opening hours, contrary to what might seem to be implied.

as to the second issue regarding pints vs bottles, we tend to serve with glassware until around 2am-3am. at that time, we tend to run with reduced staff numbers which would make it very difficult to collect/wash/transport glasses around the premises.

i guess it's a small price to pay in order to be able to party on longer...

As the owner and the one that really knows all the score, along with my other clubs in sheffield, the EARL BY FAR IS THE SAFEST VENUE I HAVE. In other places in town I am involved with, you can count the "incidents" in a week, not in YEARS as I have been able to with The Earl. One tiff between two lonesome lovers *sarcasm* that brought the trouble from outside to inside our toilets for a former trouble pub is well, acceptable in the industry?? I think you can call that a miracle, keeping in mind this place, where it's situated and its dark history. It used to be a rock solid old man's blades boozer for god's sake! The place now is a beckon of light in comparison to any other club or pub I know of, and I pretty much know them all. My staff down there, if I could clone them I would, they are the best I have, reliable, clean, hard working and put up with no nonsense. The promoters are all dedicated, hard working and loyal. The door staff are hand picked almost on a weekly basis! Pints are served until the manager has to send staff home as the night goes on to the wee hours and has less man power to pick up the glasses, where as bottles can be easily served. Since bar takings are too slim to warrant glassys after that, otherwise if it was a busy 5am, then pints would be happily served as staff would be still on! The Earl runs more like home lounge party and fits like a cosy comfortable pair of shoes, it's barely profit driven as it's size precludes a truly commerical operation, although I make less than any other venue there turnover wise, it's by far the most popular, comfortable and "hip" place outside of the city centre in my opinion, with a big variety of promoters and nights, all done off their hard work. Gypo has kindly retracted some of his comments because they maybe taken out of context, so I have therefore removed my comments as well.....

I've emailed you mate.

Those of us who have been going to the Earl for ages appreciate all efforts of everyone involved. I went last week and it was excellent as usual, I'd urge anyone who hasn't gone to go, its a top night.
From what I could tell it was better than it was before these 'rumours'..........ignore them, thats wat I say........make your own bloody mind up!!!! :hihi: