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Radio One's Judge Jules heading for Sunderland
Bar by day club by night – or at least at the weekends – is how this place pitches itself.
And that theory seems to work well for Club Bar One, which stepped into the shoes of the former Substance when it flung open its doors a few months ago.
From the outside not much has changed since. There's still the abundance of tables, chairs and brollies outside to host the smokers and the summer's sun-seekers.
But inside is where the real transformation has taken place.
Club Bar One bosses have picked up on top decorating tips and managed to make the rather small space seem much bigger by painting the walls and ceilings bright white, complemented by light wooden floors.
During the day, there's no need for lighting as there's no shortage of light coming from the mass of windows in the conservatory-like part of the bar.
White tables and chairs, with the odd red one thrown in for a splash of colour, add to the airy feel of this place, and coupled with the white, plastic-looking bar, chrome lampshades and simplistic feel, Club Bar One has a real futuristic vibe.
While the fresh white walls give it a clean look, to some it may seem a tad too clinical.
A couple of contemporary paintings or murals on the walls wouldn't go amiss, but when the place fills up at weekends this is a minor moan which can easily be looked over.
What does add a bit of character are the globes hanging over the bar, the giant green globe painted on the wall and the creative features that are discretely dotted about the place.
Next to the bar, what look like pieces of driftwood have been hammered to the wall in a giant square shape and quirky drawings on the wall direct punters to the toilets.
Advertising itself as a bar Monday to Thursday and a club as soon as the clock chimes 10pm on a Friday, there's plenty to keep punters entertained.
Mondays play host to Staying Out, a night jam-packed with indie, Britpop, electro, dance and acid house classics.
Thursdays are Funk Me nights and Sundays give local musicians to sing their hearts out and bag themselves a free pint at the weekly buskers' night.
And the newly-launched Saturday Coco Nyte plays funky house, hip hop and r'n'b until the early hours of the morning.
And on Saturday, November 7, the venue has bagged top Radio 1 DJ Judge Jules (15 a ticket).
There's no shortage of drinks behind the bar either, with an extensive selection of spirits, from midori, sambuca, tequila, rum and gin to a range of whiskies and vodkas.
There's a good cocktail menu and plenty of drinks on tap – Fosters, Heineken, Strongbow, Bulmers, John Smiths and Guinness.
Disabled access to the bar is good with ramps leading in.
MARISSA CARRUTHERS
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Friday 10 February 2012
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