UncategorizedINN CROWD

INN CROWD

We can’t believe that one of our favourite bars is almost a year old. Time sure flies when you’re lolling around in the gutter. If you haven’t checked out this off-Soho hidden gem, then let Lee Dalloway introduce you to the New Bloomsbury Set

 

JEZ
Lovely owner Jez can often be found greeting her public or pontificating with a double vodka at the end of the bar…

QX: NBS is one year old now. You must have learnt so much about the bar industry? Has it been a ‘baptism of fire’ almost?
What I would say is whichever bar you drink in, the next time you order a drink, just think how hard the staff work for you. What you see at the bar is only half the great work bar tenders do.

What do you think you guys offer that’s different from the other gay bars on the scene?
Friendly, inclusive and great value in a snapshot. It’s very rewarding being in the bar and seeing so many people from different backgrounds just having a great time. Music which is loud enough for a good time but which you can talk over, bunkers to relax in with your mates and premium double spirits and mixer for £5.50. And our fantastic staff!

Tell us about your cocktail evenings, we hear they’re becoming very popular.
Very… I think it’s the free drinks!  These are great evenings held monthly for NBS card holders, where you get to make a cocktail from our menu and then come up with a brand new cocktail. The winning cocktail is then on our menu for the following month. Of course there is a lot of tasting required!

What’s your favourite memory of the bar from last year?
I’ve met so many great people, from Ray, who is nearly 80, popping in for his weekly drink. And singing badly with the Pink Singers on a Sunday. Of course, Gay’s the Word bookshop brought Armistead Maulpin and Alan Hollinghurst to NBS. Oh, and my mother falling over slightly pissed on the test night. Like mother, like son?

 

TOM
OWNER, DRINKER, LOVER, DRINKER…

What made you want to set up the bar in the first place?
The first year has gone so quickly!  Vodka had a big hand in opening NBS. Going out quite a bit made us realise how there was a need for something different.  To have somewhere fun and friendly, but with good value, high quality drinks – for a better quality hangover!

You must have learnt so much about the bar industry?
Yes!  Our previous, albeit fairly extensive, experience was the other side of the bar drinking!  After we took the plunge, we spent many more nights out in the name of ‘research’. We still leave all the drinks shaking and pouring to the experts, but certainly had to learn
the ropes quickly.

What do you think you guys offer that’s different from the other gay bars on the scene?
That’s a tricky one, but to quote one of our customers ‘It’s so nice to go somewhere with loo roll in the toilets!’ [Laughs].

 

ALEJANDRO
BAR MANAGER. The boss man… and smouldering Mexican

How long have you been working at NBS?
Since it was an embryo!  It’s been great fun being part of NBS right from the start.

What do you think NBS offers that other bars on the gay scene don’t?
Apart from me in a tight shirt?  Well it is a great friendly chilled out bar where you can catch up with friends and is really good value.

I’m not going to talk to you anymore because you haven’t taken your shirt off…


NICK
BAR TENDER. He’s the cheeky one – naughty but nice. Yes, please!

What do you think NBS offers that other bars on the gay scene don’t?
It’s just so friendly and down to earth. It’s one of those bars where you get to know the customers and stop and chat.

Can you tell us a funny story from your time at NBS?
If only you could had access to the CCTV after we close…

 

LIAM
BAR TENDER . The law-studying comedian…

How long have you been working at NBS?
I’ve been with NBS since the beginning of this year, it’s been so much fun.

What do you think NBS offers that other bars on the gay scene don’t?
What’s really great about the place is that it’s just not pretending to be anything else other than a great friendly good priced bar. It’s perfect place to start a night out, bunkers are pretty good for a date too!

Can you tell us a funny story from your time at NBS?
Jez would kill me if I told you what I wanted to say so for know why not pop in and we can create one, Lee!

You don’t want me in your bar; I’m a vile drunk.

 


DID YOU KNOW

The bar is inspired by the free-thinking ,passion and creativity of the original Bloomsbury Set, who held informal gatherings during the first half of the 20th Century. Members included Viriginia Wolf, Luytton Strachey, E.M. Forster and a number of other notable writers, artists and critics of the day.

Be sure to visit New Bloomsbury Set, (76 Marchmont Street, WC1N 1AG). The 1st birthday party is on Saturday 6th August, with a late license of 1am. Warm up for the celebrations between Monday 1st and Thursday 4th August, as all NBS cardholders receive a drink on the house.


 

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