Vacant Belfast store to open as festive Alpine bar

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 14:46 · Archive

A long-vacant Royal Avenue building in Belfast will open as an Alpine-themed pop-up bar called Après at The Alhambra from November to December.

A long-vacant building on Royal Avenue in Belfast's city centre is to reopen as Après at The Alhambra, a festive pop-up bar operated by Haymarket Belfast. The venue will run from 19 November to 19 December and transform the 7,180 square foot space into an Alpine-inspired Christmas destination.

The ground floor of the former JJB sports premises at 58-66 Royal Avenue has been empty for almost 15 years. Haymarket Belfast says the pop-up will bring new energy to the prominent city-centre building.

Apès at The Alhambra will offer live music, drinks and festive entertainment. Ticketed Saturday events include country party Hoedown Rodeo on 21 November, 80s day party Footloose on 28 November and Bangin' Bingo on 19 December. Walk-in guests are welcome on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays without booking for a specific event.

The name Après pays tribute to Belfast's entertainment heritage and the original Alhambra Theatre of Varieties, which opened on North Street in 1871 as one of Belfast's earliest music halls. The original venue became an important part of Belfast's social scene and its legacy inspired the new pop-up's concept.

Haymarket Belfast says the pop-up celebrates the city's passion for live performance, building on the success of the inaugural Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann music festival held in Belfast.

How it is being reported

• Belfast bar complex to transform long-vacant building ahead of ChristmasThe bar will transform the long-vacant building into a festive destination for live music, drinks and entertainmentBelfast Live · 5 Nov, 09:01
• Haymarket Belfast brings Alpine winter experience to Royal Avenue with new Après at The AlhambraCity centre pop-up will transform long-vacant building into festive destination for live music, drinks and entertainmentNews Letter · 5 Nov, 07:44
• Vacant Belfast sports store once owned by JD Wetherspoon set to open as festive barHaymarket Belfast expands its city centre offering with Après at The Alhambra pop-upBelfast Telegraph · 4 Nov, 12:29

In this story: Haymarket Belfast · Belfast · Royal Avenue · Alhambra Theatre of Varieties · JJB

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