Calgary’s sole jazz bar and bistro is on the brink of closing — unless it raises $100,000 by the year’s end.

Beat Niq Jazz & Social Club owners are desperately trying to raise money via new members, galas and sponsors to keep the company afloat, with plans percolating of turning the jazz club into a non-profit entity.

“We are trying to restructure to keep the club alive,” says Gerry Hébert, Beat Niq’s artistic director, adding that reserves are tapped out, forcing owners Rob and Connie Young to recently inject $50,000 of their own money to cover club bills.

As Calgary’s premier jazz venue, the Bistro Piq Niq and Beat Niq Jazz & Social Club have hosted about 2,500 jazz and swing-music performances, with 75 per cent of the musicians being local.

Revenues, says Hébert, have dramatically decreased since the recession hit last fall. “Essentially, the restaurant gets a lot of business from the club, but we’ve noticed a decline in that,” he said. “People are just spending less when they are going out.”

Located in the downtown Grain Exchange building, the business direly needs to be revamped, says Hébert. “For example, I’ve never known what the food and beverage was for the club and the restaurant because it has been integrated in one computer system. That is something we are changing.”

The Beat Niq needs to raise $50,000 in the next month, hoping much of that money comes from a special jazz gala, running September 10 to 12.