Local music venue looks to attract college students

Corey Perkins

Outdoor music venue, B&B Backyard, is looking to attract college students at the end of its fourth season in operation.

B&B Backyard is set up behind Bill’s Diner, located at Highway 24 and N. Kansas Avenue. It has gathered increased attraction since its inception four years ago. It features two stages, one outdoor and one indoor, and offers audiences an outdoor music venue that hosts local and regional bands playing a variety of music genres ranging from country to classical to death metal.

“I think we’re trying to cater to people who like to come out and listen to live music, regardless of age.” said Lee Browning, co-owner of B&B Backyard. “We’ve had people out here from babies to ninety year olds.”

Bill Brading, B&B Backyard co-owner and owner of Bill’s Diner, said they would like to see more college students out at the B&B Backyard.

“With college starting back up, we would like to get as many of the college kids out here as we can, just so they know about us,” Brading said.

Brading said a younger crowd would also be good to have coming out later, since most people his age tend to leave around midnight. As an added bonus, the typical cover-charge of $5 is dropped after 10:30 p.m.

Starting in September, Brading and Browning plan to start an original music only open-mic night one Wednesday a month.

They also said they are interested in putting together a concert just for college students, although a date is yet to be determined.

B&B Backyard is located at 2134 N. Kansas Ave., Topeka, Kansas, and is open every weekend from May 1 through the end of September. The hours are from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. in the spring and fall, and from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. in the summer.

“It’s a seasonal deal,” Brading said. “Once it starts getting cold, we’ll have to shut it down. So everybody should try to come check it out before the season’s over.”

More information about the latest bands to play at B&B Backyard can be found at their website, bbbackyard.com or on their Facebook page.