Frequently asked questions about St. Bonaventure's Age limits Getting there Starting time And finishing Seating Tickets Food and drink How we've managed to get some of the best musicians in the world on Regularity Getting a gig Best gig ever HOME
Q: Is there an age limit? My children like the stuff you put on and would love to come to a gig.	A: There is no age limit to speak of. People of all ages are welcome. The place can get quite full, and parents can ask themselves whether it's comfortable for young children, but that's their responsibility. We also put stuff on at other venues, and under 18 admissions can vary according to their individual policies.
Q: Why is the place so difficult to find?	A: It shouldn't be. Access is via Berkeley Road, which is off Gloucester Road, one of the main roads out of Bristol. You just go to the end of Berkeley Road from Gloucester Road, and just before the end of the road you'll see a car park on your right. That's it. The postcode, for satnav users, is GL7 8HQ. Complications arise when you look the place up on Yellow Pages and similar websites. The official address is Egerton Road. However, there is no access from there, and if you go there you'll end up driving around and getting more frustrated and confused. Remember - Berkeley Road, BS7 8HQ.
Q: What time do things start?	A: Normally doors open at 7.30. Support acts are on at 8 p.m. and main acts at 9 p.m. However, this is only a rough guide. All shows are different, and sometimes there's no support or the main act want to play two sets. If you can't get there for the whole show but don't want to miss the headliner, get in touch with us beforehand and we'll let you know the running order (approximately.)
Q: And finish?	A: Usually no later than 11 p.m. There's not a strict curfew, but St. Bonaventure's is in a residential area and we don't want people slamming car doors and revving engines and that sort of thing.
Q: Is the venue seated?	A: This is down to the nature of the act. For quieter singer-songwriters, small groups, and more acoustic acts, we try to get as many people seated as possible. This also depends on the size of the audience, but we can generally get most people seated if that's what they want. In the case of sell out shows, particularly with headlining bands, we occasionally have to remove virtually all seating to get people in. In all cases seating is unreserved and is available on a first come first served basis.
Q: Can I pay on the door?	A: It's best that you get tickets in advance. However, this isn't always possible and sometimes you might make up your mind to come at the last minute/because you read about something in the newspaper/your friends are going etc. etc. In most cases you can pay on the door, although we have to charge slightly more. Shows do sell out though, and sometimes we have to turn people away, which we don't like to do, particularly if they've come a long way. If in doubt, get in touch beforehand.
Q: Is there food and drink at the club?	A: There is a bar with a wide range of beers wines and spirits at excellent prices. Unfortunately, barring packets of crisps and so on, there is no food. However, there are a number of great restaurants and pubs on the Gloucester Road, about five minutes walk away.
Q: Okay - a small social club in the suburbs of Bristol. How come you've managed to get some of the best names in contemporary American music to play there?	A: Because we can be flexible about dates, can put people on at fairly short notice, and have, over the years, put on some utterly magical shows. This has earned us an an enviable reputation and we've become known as the people to get in touch with if touring musicians want to play before a highly appreciative audience and have the best sound they're likely to get.
Q: Why don't you have something on every week?	A: Quality is everything. If there's somebody touring and they want to play - and we want them to - we'll fit in with their schedule. This can mean that there are three gigs in a week and nothing for the next two months. If we stuck to regular days of the week, this would mean missing out on some people we want to put on at the expense of having somebody to fill the schedule. Infrequent but always excellent - that's our motto.
Q: I'm a musician - how do I get a gig?	A: This is a hard one. We'd love to support local musicians, but it's not always possible. Because virtually all of the headlining acts we have are American or Canadian, they often have their own support acts with them, or insist on not having one at all. If support slots are available and what you do is sympathetic to the main act, we'll consider having you on. By all means get in touch, but don't be too disappointed if we can't put you on, or you don't hear from us for a while.
Q: What's the best show you've ever had on?	A: We've had so many truly fantastic people on over the years it wouldn't be fair or accurate to say that one particular show stood out. Buddy Miller takes some beating though. As do the Sadies.