Underground Bar, a “grassroots alternative music venue” is set to open in the basement of 29-31 George Street. It will aim to support “local bands, independent music communities and alternative subcultures”.
The venue, previously home to Cirkus nightclub, is located below Gourmet Burger Kitchen. It will include a lounge area with fixed seating, a dance floor space with a DJ booth, and a cloak room. The bar will be open to serve alcohol from midnight to 2.30am every day of the week with “occasional live music” from 5pm to 11pm on weekdays.
Oxford City Council granted a license for the opening of the premises and the licensing for the bar on Wednesday 4th June.
The application was submitted by Yola Kucel, a former co-manager of Kiss Bar on Park End Street. Prior to Kiss Bar closing last December after 23 years of operating, Ms Kucel previously hosted the Goth night, “Intrusion” at the venue.
The George Oxford Hotel, which is located on the upper floor of the same premises, objected to the application, citing public nuisance and public safety as concerns. Thames Valley Police also originally objected to the application due to concerns of crime and disorder, but no longer have any significant issues with the scheme, praising Ms Kucel for being “very engaging and very supportive” in running Kiss Bar.
As stated in the application, Underground Bar would be a place to “host those who like to socialise with like-minded people within a safe and controlled environment” to ensure they can “freely express themselves regardless of gender, race or sexual identity”. The venue will be a space for “the alternative music side of night life” hosting live “rock, metal, indie, goth music and other genres of music”. The bar is intended as a space “for all of Oxford’s residents, students and visitors alike”.
City councillor Anna Railton supported the application, saying: “If you value things you’ve got to protect them and that is true for live music venues for all genres.”
Oxford’s music scene was described by Railton as “part of [its] amazing culture”. Notable bands that originated in the city include Radiohead, Supergrass, and Glass.
This news follows the closure of many music venues in Oxford, such as SJE Arts and Atik.
