Popular piano bar forced to close due to cost of living crisis

By Charlotte Lillywhite, Local Democracy Reporter

A popular piano bar in one of South London’s oldest markets has been forced to shut as the cost of living spirals.

Bayou Bar announced its closure at Broadway Market in Tooting after the rising costs of “basically everything” made it impossible to survive.

The bar first opened its doors at the market in November 2018 to bring New Orleans to London, serving Louisiana-inspired street food and cocktails.

It also hosted musicians weekly and popular event “Wing Wednesday”, serving 50p wings all night long.

In a statement on Instagram, owner Nick Willoughby said the bar’s “incredible team” had seen it through the pandemic.

But he listed recent increases in energy costs, stock, staff and security among the reasons for the bar’s permanent closure, with “basically everything” going up.

In a statement, Broadway Market Tooting management described the bar’s closure as “very unfortunate” and said daily expenses had “increased drastically” in the UK.

The statement said: “Brexit has created an immense shortage of hospitality staff as well.”

It added: “Please be aware that we at Broadway Market are always keen to support our traders in all instabilities and we will be supporting them in all peaks and valleys.”

Bayou Bar has been contacted for comment.

Broadway Market Tooting (Picture: LDRS)