Work has begun transforming an empty unit in Swansea's Wind Street into a funky and vibrant cocktail and karaoke bar. The firm behind popular bar and eatery BrewStone in Uplands and well-known bar-clubs Peppermint and Bambu in Wind Street, Creative Hospitality Group, is gearing up to open double-venue Bella and Aca-Bella in the street.
Filling the empty unit which previously housed BrewDog, which closed down earlier this year and, before that American-themed bar Bucket List, Bella will have bars on both its ground-floor and upstairs levels serving a wide range of cocktails, many of which will be of a "new concept". Plus, upstairs at the venue – named Aca-Bella as a play-on 'a cappella' and 'Bella' – there will be a stage area with a screen showing the lyrics to all the songs playing during karaoke sessions.
Staff plan to introduce "interactive elements" and games to their karaoke offerings too like 'finish the lyric,' a spokesman for Creative Hospitality Group said. While the team were initially aiming for a late October or early November opening they haven't quite finished fitting out the new venue just yet and the opening date hasn't yet been announced. For the latest Swansea news, sign up to our newsletter here
Explaining the concept behind Bella and Aca-Bella a spokesman said: "Bella cocktail bar will be based across the two floors at the unit, which used to be BrewDog. Downstairs the Bella bar will serve exciting cocktails and upstairs at Aca-Bella – a play-on words of 'Bella' and 'a cappella' – will be the base for the karaoke, with a stage and screen with lyrics to the songs and another cocktail bar."
"We're going for a bold, bright, fun, and confident vibe. There's going to be signage that will be quite funny and tongue in cheek and bold, colourful decorations without being cringey or cheesy," they added. "Bella will be somewhere everyone can go to and a place to celebrate a special occasion like a birthday, hen do, Christmas party, or corporate event too. We want to be welcoming to everyone."
Creative Hospitality Group is currently recruiting for a handful of staff to work at the new Bella venue. Go to the venue's website here to express an interest. An opening date has not yet been advertised for Bella but staff at Creative Hospitality Group say they plan for the venue to be open seven days a week with hours running from 4pm to 2.30am from Monday to Thursday and from 12pm to 3am Fridays to Sundays.
