Party gig as venue closes
A HOST of local musicians and regulars came together to bid farewell to Dempseys on Friday night at a gig to celebrate the iconic Cardiff pub.
The venue is due to shut its doors for the last time on February 12, with owner SA Brain planning an overhaul of the popular Cardiff hostelry, but regulars and fans didn’t want to let it close without a celebration of what it means to them.
The farewell party featured musicians who have played at the venue over the years – with all proceeds donated to the staff.
Event organiser Dan Nichols performed regularly at Four Bars (as the pub was known) in the 1980s with his skiffle outfit Railroad Bill and brought bands from across the UK to play its regular Meltdown night.
He said: “When we heard it was closing, we felt that we should do something to mark its passing and others seemed to feel the same way.
“With that in mind we quickly organised a farewell Meltdown party involving some of our favourite Cardiff musicians from over the years who we felt fitted with what Dempseys always seemed to be about.
“If it reopens as a music venue and it is done in a way that is genuinely sensitive to live music nights, rather than becoming a two-floor happy hour and hen night venue like so many others in the city centre, then we will be delighted to return to play and watch bands.
“Either way it is the end of an era for the old Four Bars Inn and Dempseys and the venue will be missed by generations of Cardiff music lovers.”
Brains had said the need for improvement and modernisation of Dempseys “has been apparent for some time” and that there will be a “substantial redevelopment” of the venue.
The Four Bars and Dempseys goodbye gig harked back to the Meltdown events which took place in Four Bars during the 1980s, with founders Paul Clarke and Debbie Manley reuniting for the occasion.
On the bill were Railroad Bill, JC’s Hopeless Sinners, Capra Mamei, Siobhan McCrudden, Paul Clarke and Lindy Hop Cardiff, with DJs Liam Curtain and Ben Ja Meakin, ensuring it was a night to remember.