I personally think that they think that Affinity will takeover as the main club on the scene within weeks, which I don't think will happen. The main reason everyone goes to Dempsey's is that the music is good, the establishment may not reflect value for money for drink etc, but nobody can walk out of there and say they didn't enjoy it.
Again referring to the conversation with Tony he mentioned about the fee, which apparently will be £3/£4 before 11pm, or something like that. I am not even out at that time, so if I am paying that much to get in, then I won't be bothering, whilst they are not having a membership scheme. Again mentioning the location, what about the smokers? I don't smoke myself, but I don't think straight people or homophobic people will be happy to see 20-30 camp gays stood outside smoking, which may cause a stir on Arundel gate?
As for Lions Lair, I do despise it, there is no doubt about that. As other may not do I can't stand the place. It is god damn mucky and the bouncer on the door does absoltely nothing. The £4 charge that I have paid 3 times is an absolute joke too, whilst an ex-shag of mine gets in free because one of the door staf fancies his mate. I see the point to why you ccan't do much with it due to being closed down sometime soon, but those toilets are the worst toilets I have seen.
I personally think that they think that Affinity will takeover as the main club on the scene within weeks, which I don't think will happen. The main reason everyone goes to Dempsey's is that the music is good, the establishment may not reflect value for money for drink etc, but nobody can walk out of there and say they didn't enjoy it.
Again referring to the conversation with Tony he mentioned about the fee, which apparently will be £3/£4 before 11pm, or something like that. I am not even out at that time, so if I am paying that much to get in, then I won't be bothering, whilst they are not having a membership scheme. Again mentioning the location, what about the smokers? I don't smoke myself, but I don't think straight people or homophobic people will be happy to see 20-30 camp gays stood outside smoking, which may cause a stir on Arundel gate?
As for Lions Lair, I do despise it, there is no doubt about that. As other may not do I can't stand the place. It is god damn mucky and the bouncer on the door does absoltely nothing. The £4 charge that I have paid 3 times is an absolute joke too, whilst an ex-shag of mine gets in free because one of the door staf fancies his mate. I see the point to why you ccan't do much with it due to being closed down sometime soon, but those toilets are the worst toilets I have seen.
Criticism often says far more about the critic than it does about the criticized!
Two posts under your belt, both of them bitching, and you expect people of the forum to take your pointless conjecture seriously? Come on, you're going to have to try a little harder than that.
I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if you were a duplicate ID - posting here with the specific intention of stirring it up. Fortunately, I imagine that most people will be able to see straight through it.
If you don't like the plans that Affinity have, why don't you put your money where your mouth is and open your own venue?
__________________ What would you change if you could?
I read these threads all the time and usually dont bother to contribute but here goes,
Affinity closed because it clearly didnt make enough money. There was an issue with the pub company and it was shut, this was not by choice of the management that were there. Why they think they will make more money elsewhere is beyond a joke.
Sanctuary, 3 owners in 6 months, also clearly makes nothing, have been in a few times mid week and am usually only with my group of friends. Also up for lease should anyone stump up the cash to the brewery.
Lions Lair, 2 owners + fuel, getting knocked down guaranteed in the next few years, the Grovesnor has closed, the fire station has been moved, there is no chance the scheme will be ditched entirely. On top of that although gay owned it certainly is not gay operated. Full of embrace customers and very few 'gay' customers anymore. Also available on the website for lease and for purchase. On top of multiple other problems with customers relating to drug use and the management having trading standards issues. And the now high level of staff turnover relating to who is 'friendly' with the owner. Heading the way of fuel by alienating most of its previous staff.
Xes, too far out of town, but at least is staying gay and not doing anything it has never done before. Owners been ther ages and probably own the place outright. Not really my cup of tea but it serves a purpose.
Dempseys, saw off fuel after 6 terrible months and fought back as the stalwart of the Sheffield scene. Owned and operated gay. With great staff loyalty in what really is a fairly run down building. Busy most nights and the drinks are far from pricey at £3.50 a double mixer and mid 2 quid for a pint. Ok they charge on the door but you can stay till 6am, it has clearly taken all of Xes and Lions Lair late night trade. They have also recently signed a new lease so it wont be moving for a while. The staff there are clearly their greatest asset.
Rah Rah, gone. Religion, gone. Climax attracts students but as a whole degenerates from the scene as people all wait for one friday and then has a knock on effect for the rest of the weekend, and puts little back in to anything gay in Sheffield.
Manchester £16 return, or get a hotel £30. Much better time, value for money and contributing in a way to a far nicer environment being sustained.
Woooo we're all such happy positive thinkers aren't we! But then i suppose, this forum is chiefly used for ranting and bitching, so knock yourselves out. Until you have your hard earned pennies invested in a place, then you will never really to be in a position to understand how to run and keep a place going, and the difficulties in doing so.
People vote with their feet, Dempseys is busy, Lions is busy, Sanctuary is picking up now with their new owners... so I can't complain, I like all 3 places. We shall watch this space on Affinity.
Lions Lair, 2 owners + fuel, getting knocked down guaranteed in the next few years, the Grovesnor has closed, the fire station has been moved, there is no chance the scheme will be ditched entirely. On top of that although gay owned it certainly is not gay operated. Full of embrace customers and very few 'gay' customers anymore. Also available on the website for lease and for purchase. On top of multiple other problems with customers relating to drug use and the management having trading standards issues. And the now high level of staff turnover relating to who is 'friendly' with the owner. Heading the way of fuel by alienating most of its previous staff
Sorry, I cant help myself but reply...
1) Define gay operated?! I'm gay, and i run it, so its therefore gay operated! Its been established many times over that all Sheffield gay venues need the support of the straight scene to survive... so like it or lump it i'm afraid!
2) Drug use... we have a very good relationship with the police, and they frequently come past after 2am to check everythings ok, they often stop to have a natter about nothing to do with Lions with the door staff... so they can hardly have issues with us. We run a zero policy, anyone found using or supplying is escorted out. Door staff check the toilets regularly for just such usage or dealing.
3) Trading standards. You must know either the owners or staff to bring this up, as no-one knows about it, but you really should get your facts right. We have had one visit from trading standards in the last 12 months, and it was due to an allegation we were selling cheap wholesale vodka as smirnoff vodka. They took samples of all the vodkas, including smirnoff lime / apple infusions, and results came back in our favour, as they should. So there are no issues there.
4) Staff turnover. In the last 12 months we have had 5 part time staff leave, 4 are still in Sheffield, 2 of which left due to full time jobs, and are still very good friends with us, and frequent Lions a lot, the other 2 i still see regularly and are still quite friendly with both. The fifth has moved to London, and would be somewhat inconvenient for him to commute for three 6 hour shifts a week. And yes, thankyou, we are very 'friendly' with all our staff.
Anyway, think what you will of the place and its owners, thats your call - but please, keep your facts correct!
the mulberry has a place in my heart....its where we all used to meet as 18 year olds in 80-81ish if i remember rightly it was the first city centre pub to have a video juke box..after meeting up we'd move on to various other pubs..blue bell,dove,wig n pen,golden ball,stone house,pig n whistle then back down to the mulberry or venue before roxy's....i drank in there right upto it closing down about 2003/2004...to hear its reopening as a gay bar just doesn't seem right,its always been a place for proper men. how times change
I am not a duplicate ID. I googled "Affinity re-opening" and it lead me to this forum. If you think I am a duplicate ID, then complain to the moderators, then when you're proved wrong you can apologise to me.
I am trying not to be critical, but you have to be where they have located it. I liked the old Affinity, but clearly it wasn't a money making venue. Hopefully this one will be and that it's a nice place, where you can actually stay away from Dempsey's all weekend, because I we need change.
the mulberry has a place in my heart....its where we all used to meet as 18 year olds in 80-81ish if i remember rightly it was the first city centre pub to have a video juke box..after meeting up we'd move on to various other pubs..blue bell,dove,wig n pen,golden ball,stone house,pig n whistle then back down to the mulberry or venue before roxy's....i drank in there right upto it closing down about 2003/2004...to hear its reopening as a gay bar just doesn't seem right,its always been a place for proper men. how times change
"PROPER MEN" Times do change, Do people still live in caves and beat people with sticks in your world?! welcome to 2009!
