Carlisle city centre to welcome new party bar Jax this week

Jax is located on Botchergate, just two doors down from its sister bar and nightclub, Deja Vu. 

It is owned by Julie Brown, who, with the help of local traders, family, and friends, has transformed the city centre location over the past few months, getting everything ready for opening night on October 20. 

The bar has created around 10 jobs in total for local traders, bar staff, and glass collectors, while the former part-time manager of Deja Vu, Vikki Scott, is now the full-time manager of both locations. 

A sneak peak inside the new Jax bar in Carlisle (Image: NQ Staff)There were plenty of occasions when Julie questioned her decision to buy the bar, which was previously Havana, but she is now excited to open this week. 

She said: "I’m pleased it's done now. It got to the stage about two weeks ago where I thought this was never going to be ready. There are still a few finishing touches before we open on Friday.

"There was a lot of blood, sweat, and tears but I’m pleased with the way it has turned out. It’s an ongoing project, we will be adding bits and pieces, but we had to get it open because it’s been closed for so long."

There will be plenty of drink offers to mark the opening night, while Radio Cumbria DJ Pete Moss can also be seen at Jax on future weekend nights. 

Jax will offer a wide range of drinks, including popular Mediterranean beer Damm Lemon (Image: NQ Staff)

After Havana closed down in the summer, it represented the perfect project for Julie, but the last few months have been 'a long hard slog' in getting everything ready.

Julie said: "It’s going to be a good mix of music for everybody. We’re not going to stick to one kind. If somebody comes in on a Saturday afternoon and wants a bit of 60s/70s/80s, then by all means. But once the doors open at Deja Vu, it stops. It’s a safe zone for anybody and everybody."

Jax will be open for over 18s on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for student nights, Fridays, and from 2pm on Saturdays.