A bar which prides itself on serving up experimental cocktails to a hip hop soundtrack will soon open in York.
Just in time for Easter, the former St John’s Church on Micklegate will be resurrected as happening nightspot Jalou.
The grade II listed medieval building on Micklegate – formerly the Arts Centre and more recently The Parish café – will open its doors again on Good Friday, April 14.
That follows a £1.1 million refurb by the privately-owned Cairn Group.
DJ booth and chandelier
The first, opened in 2011 in Newcastle, is described as the city’s “premium cocktail lounge, dedicated to delicious drinks and R&B”.
Or, as its Facebook page puts it more succinctly, it’s all about “cocktails and hip hop“.
The refurbishment includes the addition of a bar in what will become a VIP area on the mezzanine level, a new DJ booth, new flooring, seating and décor.
There’s also what every 11th century church needs – a feature chandelier in the centre of the dance floor.
Dedicated to drink
They pride themselves on “pushing boundaries” when it comes to drinks.
That menu includes
99 Problems (Stoli Vanilla, Licor 43 with milk and cream topped with thick vanilla cream, a flake and a sugar cone – £7.50), and
Smoked Gingerbread Manhattan (Woodford Reserve bourbon, sweet vermouth, gingerbread syrup and aromatic cocktail bitters served over an ice ball with a smokey surprise – £7.95).
Masterclasses and music
Jalou York will be open seven days a week, and will also offer cocktail masterclass sessions for groups and regularly host both resident and guest DJs.
The opening has created 30 jobs. Cairn group director Naveen Handa said:
We are making a significant investment into the venue whilst both keeping its employees and creating many new job prospects.