VENUES

We are currently looking for venues in:
South West London for use on a Tuesday evening once per month,
the West End or West London for use on a Monday or Tuesday evening once per month.


The criteria for Backgammon in London venues:



1) All venues are to be walking distance to good train, tube or bus station / stops.

2) All venues are likely to be public houses where food is also available until at least 9.00 pm.

3) Venues should have at least 25 tables (35 preferable) suitable for a tournament size backgammon board. These tables are, in catering terms, comparable to a 4 seater dining table.

4) We need an area from which to run the event from - a D.J. desk is generally perfect. We run events via laptops, flat-screens, projector or plasma screens when available.

5) A certain amount of change in layout of furniture in the Public House to make it into a playing area is usual. Tables to move and make ready for backgammon (no candles or flower pots), chairs (we'll need approx. 50% less chairs than is usual.)

6) Bar prices should be moderate. A good standard of service is the more important element of these two.

7) A person playing a backgammon match does not have the time to go to the bar and order a drink. Therefore for the Public House to have a good "take" it needs to provide table service. This Lounge Waiter/ess can usually be one less person behind the bar rather than an extra member of staff.

8) The Backgammoners should be the vast majority of people in the venue. Whilst spectators are to be encouraged other groups of people using the venue detract from the feeling of an event. As such clients ordering drinks or meals from 5.30 pm should be advised that a backgammon evening will be starting at 7.00 pm.

9) All venues need to have sufficient lighting in order for players to see their dice without squinting.

10) Music (if at all) should be in the background and such that players are not disturbed from playing but a comfortable atmosphere is generated.

11) Televisions should be switched off unless being used to display the backgammon tournaments charts.

12) Fruit machines should not be in the backgammon playing areas.

13) It is preferable that the Landlord/Lady plays some backgammon.

14) The Landlord should fully understand that money will be played for in his/her Public House. Because anybody who plays must be a member of Backgammon in London this is deemed as legal.

15) There should be a cash machine in the venue and a hole in the wall very close by.

16) A storage space is needed. We provide some tournament size backgammon boards that are too large to transport to and from venues for every gig. These may be used, with care please, by patrons between events.

17) We charge venues for bringing in clients that otherwise would not be there. Our target is 50 players per event. Our charge is generally less than a D.J. or Quiz Master and should be viewed as a payment of this ilk.

18) On the day of events we need access from 5.00 pm. All events start at 7.00 pm. We aim for Backgammon Tournament play to finish at 11.00 pm however we do need the option to be there, on occasions, until midnight.
 

If you know of a venue that meets the above criteria please contact
Mike Main
mike@backgammoninlondon.com
0207-354-0595 / 07985-941729

Thank you