Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you’re a touring band, local promoter, or putting on your first club night, we know there’s a lot to think about. Below you’ll find the answers to the questions we get asked most about hiring Ivory Blacks — from load-in and tech specs to ticketing and late licences.
If you don’t see what you need here, just reach out — we’re a friendly bunch who love a good chat about gigs.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Q: What’s the venue capacity?
Ivory Blacks holds up to 290 people standing — a proper gig crowd. It’s big enough for a wild show but small enough to keep the energy personal but loud, and that’s exactly how we like it.
Q: What kind of events can I host?
A: If it’s live, loud, or worth celebrating, we’re up for it. Ivory Blacks regularly hosts touring bands, local showcases, club nights, album launches, fundraisers, and the occasional video shoot. Basically, if you bring the energy, we’ll bring the stage.
Q: How do I book or check availability?
A: Easy. Fill in the Venue Hire Enquiry Form on our website with your preferred date(s), expected turnout, and event details. Or drop our booker Rob an email if you like keeping things old-school. We’ll get back to you within a couple of working days — quick, friendly, and straight to the point.
Q: How far in advance should I book?
A: The earlier, the better — weekends and tour season fill up fast. If you’ve got a date in mind, get in touch and we’ll pencil it in. We give first dibs to confirmed bookings with deposits, so don’t wait too long to lock it down.
Tech, Setup & Sound
Q: What’s included when I hire the venue?
A: You get the full Ivory Blacks experience — venue space, sound and lighting setup, backline use, door staff, and bar service (if needed). Our in-house engineer can be booked to run your sound too. We’ll confirm everything upfront so there are no surprises — just good noise and good vibes.
Q: Can I bring my own production or engineer?
A: Absolutely. You can bring your own sound engineer, lighting tech, or extra gear, as long as we know ahead of time. We’ll coordinate power, space, and setup so everyone’s on the same page (and nothing trips a breaker). Collaboration’s the name of the game.
Q: What’s in the backline?
A: We’ve got you covered. The backline includes a drum kit (minus breakables), guitar and bass amps, DI boxes, mics, stands, monitors, and a proper PA system. Everything’s maintained and gig-ready. Want the full spec sheet? We’ll send it over once you enquire — or download it right from the hire page.
Q: How’s the load-in and setup?
A: Dead simple. We’ve got ground-level access for vans and a straight shot to the stage — no spiralling staircases or cursed corners. Load-in and soundcheck times depend on the event, so confirm them with Rob when you book.
Quick heads-up: Ivory Blacks is inside Glasgow’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ). If your van doesn’t meet LEZ standards, let us know early. We’ll work with you to figure out parking, drop-off, or alternate access options — just give us notice and we’ll do our best to help you sort it.
On the Night
Q: Do you offer ticketing or box-office services?
Aye, we do. We can sell tickets through our official Ivory Blacks account on Ticket Scotland, which gets your event in front of the Glasgow regulars who check our listings every week.
Prefer to run things yourself? No worries — we’re happy to work with your preferred booking platform, just keep us in the loop. More info on that below.
If you’d like us to run the in-house cash desk, one of our staff will be there to keep things organised (and entertaining)!
Q: Can I use my own ticketing platform?
Absolutely — your gig, your system. If one of our cash-desk crew is handling the door, we recommend giving us temporary access to your scanning app so check-ins are fast and painless.
If you prefer to go old-school, a print-out of your ticket list works great too. We’re partial to a bit of pen-and-paper action — handy backup for when someone’s phone dies or “the dog ate their ticket.” Either way, we’ll make sure your crowd gets in and the night starts right.
Q: What about curfews or late-licence events?
A: Standard shows wrap around 10:30–11 pm, but if you’re planning a club night, aftershow, or special event, we can potentially extend that with a late licence — just mention it in your booking. We’ll work with you to sort the paperwork and staffing.
Q: What’s backstage like?
A: Downstairs you’ll find our green room — part dressing area, part bunker, part caffeine station. It’s stocked with seating, mirrors, tables, a toilet, fridge, kettle, and microwave, plus plenty of space to unwind or psych yourself up. Think less “luxury suite,” more “underground HQ for bands about to make Glasgow shake.” If accessibility’s an issue, we can section off an area in the front-of-house instead for artists — just tell us ahead of time so we can plan accordingly.
Q: Is the venue accessible?
Most of it, yes. The main floor, bar, and audience area are step-free. There’s a small raised section (three steps) to the left of the stage often used for seating or merch, and that’s also the main stage access.
The green room is in the basement, but we can make adjustments (like setting up a cornered-off front space for artists) if needed. Just let us know early, as it slightly affects capacity.
After the Show
Q: What happens if I need to cancel or change the date?
A: Life happens — we get it. Just let us know as soon as possible. Cancellations and changes are covered in your hire agreement, and we’ll always try to find a fair solution. Deposits might not be refundable depending on timing, but we’re flexible if you keep us in the loop.
Q: What happens if we leave something behind?
A: Happens more often than you’d think — cables, pedals, jackets, the odd drum key. If you’ve left gear or belongings behind, get in touch as soon as you realise. If we find it before you realise, we’ll give you a shout to let you know that you didn’t leave it in a cab, hotel or in that take away place you hit up after your gig!
If you’re still in the area or playing nearby soon, we’re happy to keep it safe until you can swing by to collect. Otherwise, we’ll work with you to get it sent back, as long as you can cover postage and insurance costs (especially for anything valuable). We treat your kit with care — just give us a heads-up and we’ll sort it.
Ready to bring your show to life at Ivory Blacks?
Fill out our Venue Hire Enquiry Form or email Rob to check dates and start planning.
We’ll help make sure your night runs loud, smooth, and unforgettable — the Glasgow way.