FAQ

Below are a number of Frequently Asked Questions. 

Can I hire the hall for my party?

Q Can I hire the hall for my party?

A. Well as long as you do not want a Friday (!) this MIGHT be possible. Please call the club on 01895 637 487 for all matters to do with this.

 Is there a car park?

Q: Is there a car park?

A: There is a large free car park and in the summer if it has been dry you can even park on the field next to it assume it is not being used for an event. Locally the streets around the venue do not have yellow lines so if the car park is full then street parking is possible.

If you are planning to leave your car at the venue and collect it the next morning do not use the car park or the little road running up the the entrance. Instead park in the streets locally, where Willow Grove is always a good bet. 

I left something at a recent gig and want to see if it was handed in (Lost Property)

Q. I left something at a recent gig and want to see if it was handed in (Lost Property)

Please call the club on 01895 637 487 for all matters to do with lost property.

Is the venue air conditioned?

Q. Is the venue air conditioned?

A. Sadly no, and when busy it can get very hot in the room. For this reason you are advised to wear a couple of layers of clothing and not just a nice warm hoodie! A thin "shirt" and a fairly thin "jumper/top" are advised so you can vary how many layers you have on accordingly. 

Can I check in my coat?

Q. Can I check in my coat.

A. There is no room for a coat check-in. On most nights we place a table in the back corner of the room where you are welcome to leave a coat at your own risk. When the pile of coats is about three feet high it gets to be fun trying to find yours!

You are therefore advised not to bring your most expensive apparel and not to leave valuables in pockets.

Why Cannot I Not See The Ska Nights On The Web Site Or Other Gigs I Am Sure I Have Seen Advertised?

Q. Why cannot I not see the SKA nights on the web site or other gigs I am sure I have seen advertised?

A. Tropic at Ruislip is not the promoter of the SKA nights and certain other shows, the club put these on themselves. If you cannot see a gig listed on here and think you have seen it advertised then call the club on 01895 637 487 and ask them there about tickets. 

How good is access for the disabled?

Q. How good is access for the disabled?

A. The building is ground floor and level throughout and these is an access ramp up to the front door (There is a threshold strip a wheelchair might have to be tilted to get over) but we have no fully accessible toilet so anyone who needs to use the loo would need to be able to at least stand and turn.

I need to come with a career, are carers admitted Free Of Charge?

Q. I Need To Come With A Carer, Are Careers Admitted Free Of Charge?

A. The venue is not suitable for people with severe medical needs. For this reason we do not feel it suitable for those needing a carer. If you elect to attend carers are not admitted free of charge for this reason. 

I have epilepsy, are strobe effects used?

Q. I have epilepsy, are strobe effects used?

Most nights we have a light show, lasers and smoke and although the lights can flash quite quickly they are not up to strobe speed. Some bands bring their own lights and do bring strobes.

The best bet is to ask but the one to avoid if they are playing is The Floyd Effect as their lights are very extensive and use several effects. 

Is there a Dress Code?

Q. Is there a dress code? 

Beyond the realms of common decency no. Most folk turn up in jeans and a t-shirt, as do the staff! That said if you wish to come in your finery please do.

How do I reserve a ticket?

Q. How do I reserve a ticket?

Go to this page and all will be revealed.

How do I make or cancel/amend my booking?

Q. How do I cancel or amend my booking? 

A. This is an easy one. Everything is all read by a person so to make any changes to your booking at all, go to this page (Bookings are held under customer SURNAME and E-Mail)

Do NOT change a booking just by sending an e-mail, use the little form please.

What is a good number to call for a taxi?

Q. What is a good number to call for a taxi?

Alpha Cars in Ruislip Manor 01895 623777 or 247cars.co.uk on 01895 247 247.

You are strongly advised to book in advance as both get busy. 

Assume a finish time of midnight for a Friday and 11 pm for a Sunday

The venue is known as Ruislip Social Club (Or The Vale Social Club), yet Ruislip Manor USED to play there and now it is the home ground of Wealdstone which is part of Harrow - what is the story?

Q.The venue is known as The Vale Social Club or Ruislip Social Club, yet Ruislip Manor used to play there and now it is the home ground of Wealdstone which is part of Harrow - what is the story?

Although in Ruislip technically, it was the home of Ruislip Manor Football Club, (where it could be said that the far end of the land is technically in Ruislip Manor). Wealdstone played IN Wealdstone but many years ago their ground was sold to Tesco and a proposed new ground was never built. They ground shared with various clubs but when Ruislip Manor FC could no longer keep up the rent for the ground and moved somewhere cheaper well outside Ruislip, Wealdstone came in, where Wealdstone have a greater fan base.

Footnote. Ruislip Manor FC no longer exist. 

If I do not reserve a ticket will I still get in?

Q If I do not reserve a ticket will I still get in?

A. Generally yes, although of course it will normally cost you a little more. We would post on the web site home page just before the gig starts if we think it will sell out.

Some gigs do sell out, so booking is advisable in all cases.

Everyone pays in cash on arrival, booked or not.

What are the toilets like (!)

Q.What are the toilets like (!) 

A. Actually - reasonable but not great.  But there is nobody in there offering to squirt soap in to your palm for 50p.

We do not have a "Fully Accessible Toilet" and if you are disabled you will need to be able to stand and at least turn to use the toilet. Where the ladies is best for wheelchair users but we can have it as a short term "Gents" should the need arise.

Is there a bar/real ale/food etc? 

Q.Is there a bar/real ale/food etc? 

A. Full bar, one or two real ales. No food apart from crisps, nuts etc. over the bar.

For food best to stop off on the way at Ruislip MANOR where you will also find a Wetherspoons. The club is a 15 minute walk to Ruislip Manor down Shenley Avenue/Cranley Drive/Grosvenor Vale.

What time to the doors open and bands come on?

Q.What time to the doors open and bands come on? 

The venue itself is open from say 5 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

A. FRIDAYS  Doors usually 8.30, main band on 9.30 to 11.45/midnight., usually with a break. If we have a support the support band may well be on as early as 9.00 p.m. 

SUNDAYS doors about 7.30, music from say 8.15 and music finishes on a Sunday at 11.00 or a little sooner. 

Why do you start and finish late? It can make public transport somewhat difficult.

Q. Why do you start and finish late? It can make public transport somewhat difficult.


A. In central London shows start much earlier as people tend to go out to see something straight from work (maybe via a pub/restaurant) and tend to finish around 10.30 to 11.00 to allow customers to get public transport home. Our customers have to come home from work first, have a meal etc., and then come out, hence the later start time.

 We ALWAYS (should!) finish at midnight. Most tube trains will still be running from Ruislip if you get away smartly to the station, as will the buses. There are various options suggested on this page.


Can I film or take pictures?

Q. Can I film or take pictures? 

A. Yes, both are permitted unless we announce you may not. Some bands will ask you not to post new material on web sites such as YouTube, please respect this. Legally Tropic At Ruislip owns copyright to all material (as it is a private place and I have booked the venue) so you may not sell any of it without permission from me.

What or where is the secret link

Q.What or where is the secret link?

Once a person has booked they are advised where they can find a hidden link on the web site that takes them to a shorter form to use in future. It is no big deal, just a couple of questions less. If you are trying to book you are not obliged to use it, just book on the normal form (and from 2020 a small cookie on the site may send you to the shorter form anyway).

What is the nearest tube/bus stop.

Q:  What is the nearest tube/bus stop.
 
A: The nearest tube is Ruislip, where there is also Ruislip Bus Station, the nearest actual bus stop is in West End Road about 300 yards away, and is for the E7 bus towards Ealing. For full, comprehensive travel information go to how to find the Tropic at Ruislip

What is the age limit for young persons coming in to the club?

Q. What is the age limit for young persons coming in to the club?

A. Generally speaking youngsters are admitted to all shows but when you make a reservation just mention in the comments box that you are bringing a "Child aged XX" and you will be advised if we think this is not a good idea. 

How much will my tickets cost and how can I pay.

Q. How much will my ticket cost and how can I pay?
 
A: The price of your ticket is show against the listings on the left hand side of this page (Opens new window) but are typically £13- £15. you pay, and only in cash, on entering the room. 
 
You cannot pre-pay, nor can you pay for "friends coming later" as you enter (as we will have no idea who they are!). 
 
The bar accept cards for sales at any value or, of course, cash but you cannot get "Cash back" against it. 

There is no ATM (Cash machine) at the venue.

What times do the shows start on Sunday?

Q What times do the shows start on Sunday?

A; We have occasional Sunday shows and the timings should be on the web site but normally doors open at 7.30 p.m. and the music will start at around 8.00 p.m. These show will always be finished by 11.00 p.m. latest, usually sooner. 

 What time do the shows start on a Friday?

Q: What time do the shows start on a Friday?

A: You should aim to be in for 8.30 p.m on a Friday, the USUAL start time is 9.30 p.m. and we usually finish at or just before midnight. Where there is a support band on we could start at 9.00 p.m.

Doors to the music room normally open at 8.30 p.m., if we are busy we sometimes open early and there can be a queue going out to the car park when we are packed! The venue itself is open from say 6 p.m.

Where is the nearest cash point?

Q. How far away is the nearest cash point?

How far away is the nearest cash point? The nearest cash point is a good 15/20 minutes walk away in Ruislip High Street. There is NO cash machine at the venue, you can only pay in cash to get in to a gig. However, you can buy drinks on a card over the bar.

The moral here is get some cash for your evening before you get to the venue.


Tropic At Ruislip

Admit one

All information offered here is done so in good faith. Tropic at Ruislip is not responsible for the accuracy of any band information obtained or the exact line up or show/set that might happen on the night. Every effort will be made to describe shows accurately but sometimes bands, or their sets, change at short notice.