Kentish Express Ashford & District

Midnight’s hour nears as bar prepares for relaunch

Dinner, drinks and dance in restaurant with tapas and cocktails

- By Samantha Williams

A new town centre restaurant with a Spanish vibe will open tomorrow (Friday) night in Ashford.

Following renovation work, the Midnight bar, in Bank Street, is being re-launched as a twofloored tapas restaurant and cocktail bar.

The venue, owned by businessma­n Si Rahman, will include a dining area on the ground floor, serving a variety of dishes, and a wine and cocktail bar upstairs, where live music and DJs will play.

Manager Will Knight said: “Ashford doesn’t have anything like this.

“People used to catch up in pubs, but that seems to have stopped. We want to encourage people to come out again, for a drink, a meal, to socialise.

“The bar will have a classy vibe with music playing, but so that you can still talk. Hopefully, it won’t feel like you’re in Ashford.”

Themed-nights will be arranged at the bar each night of the week, including drum and bass, electronic and acoustic nights, with a heavy focus on local talent.

Ollie Mills, from Next Level Promotions, said: “Midnight bar will be like a venue you’d find in Shoreditch, but with Ashford prices.

“I think Ashford caters well for 18-21-year-olds but not for maturer people. Often people will go to three different venues on a night out, for drinks, dinner and then to dance or to listen to music. But we offer all experience­s in one. We’re trying to get people out of the house.

“Previously we were just using the ground floor, but now we will utilise the whole venue. We have a brand new menu, with prices ranging from £2 to £5.”

The venue’s relaunch tomorrow night will feature free tasters from the new menu being served between 5-7pm.

For more informatio­n go to www.facebook.com/midnightas­hford.

Anyone interested in playing at Midnight bar should call 01233 877249.

 ?? Picture: Alan Langley FM3357170 ?? Midnight bar manager Will Knight mixing cocktails
Picture: Alan Langley FM3357170 Midnight bar manager Will Knight mixing cocktails
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