Mike Hamblett is the boss at the Robin 2 club in Bilston. He books the venue’s talent, securing big name headliners from the world of rock, r’n’b, soul and acoustic. He rarely gets any time off at weekends – and wouldn’t have it any other way.

It’s Friday afternoon. What’s on your mind?

I work all weekend, so every day is the same for me. It’s not a case of switching off after a week at work. I’m always here. On Friday afternoon, I’ll be looking forward to a weekend of great gigs. We’re waiting for the circus to begin.

Who normally has the pleasure of your company at the weekend?

My wife does sometimes, but usually it’s bands and staff and fans at the venue. Typically, we’d have gigs every night of the weekend. We’ll need to make sure people have turned up, unloaded, soundchecked and be good to go.

How do you prepare for a big night out?

My idea of a big night out is a big night off. I’m out every night of the week. Sometimes I work from 7am until I drop. There’s no knowing what time I’ll finish. So I love to have a night off.

What’s your favourite party outfit?

Jeans and T-shirt. I used to play in bands, I’ve got scrapbooks going back over 30 years and some of the old T-shirts. I played in a band called Ocean, who became Ocean Boulevard, then Sub Zero – we were relatively famous around the Midlands throughout the eighties.

You’ve just arrived at the bar. What’s your first drink?

If I’m working, I don’t drink. If I’m at home, I like a good bottle of red.

What is your favourite nightspot and why?

The Robin 2, of course. I based it on a mixture of my favourite places. It’s got elements of the places that I visited from the age of 20 onwards, like Barbarellas and the Coach and Horses in West Bromwich. I was really into bands and wanted to put bands on. It was a natural progression from playing in bands to promoting them in my own venue.

What tune always get you on the dance floor?

I don’t dance. Never. Absolutely not. I’m really into blues, that gets me going, I might tap my foot. I love All The Young Dudes by Mott The Hoople and I love Burlesque, by Family.

It’s a sunny Saturday. What are you up to?

I’m catching up on paper work. I’m usually in the office on a Saturday, doing the accounts or chasing things up. Saturdays are good because it’s the one day of the week when the phones stop ringing, so I can get my head down and do some work.

Mike Hamblett and his wife Natasha

What’s your most memorable weekend ever and why?

I suppose the weekend I got married to my beautiful Russian wife, Natasha. We held the reception at the Robin and Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent turned up and did a duet for me. It was a great day, fantastic, nobody knew they were there. That was 2004. They played Matt Monro’s From Russia With Love. I got up and danced to that one – I made an exception to the rule.

What’s the recipe for a perfect night in?

Good bottle of red wine, get the feet up and watch the TV.

Favourite DVD? And what would you eat while watching it?

2001 Space Odyssey. I’m into Doritos.

Sunday breakfast – cooked or continental?

Cooked. Full English.

Sunday lunch – home-cooked or down the pub?

It would be nice to be at home, although it rarely happens.

Where and how do you like to relax?

At home. Switching off. I’m out all of the time, so I love it when I’m not.

You’ve got a whole weekend ahead of you and a wad of money in your back pocket – which country or city would you head to?

I love the sun, so it will be somewhere sunny. We’ve just come back from Turkey. I love places like Greece and Turkey. I had a fantastic weekend in Moscow not so long ago. I love sitting by a pool with the sun beating down.

* For details of all the upcoming gigs at The Robin 2, visit www.therobin.co.uk