Torsten meets Richard Pattinson, manager of the new R Bar.

“Admittedly, it wasn’t the first day I was hoping for", laughs Richard, reflecting on the morning he took over at Kruze bar. “I noticed there was a build-up of rubbish bags by the fire exit, and thought this would make a good first task. Nobody had mentioned that there were no hinges on the doors, so when I opened them up they fell straight out onto the bin bags, with me following closely behind. All this in full view of the bar next door, I’ve never moved so quickly in my life".

I used to walk past Kruze
and not want to come in.
Nobody wanted to be in here...

Back in November, Revenge approached Richard and asked him to manage their newly acquired Kruze bar. Pre-sale, the bar had rarely enjoyed the success seen at other drinking dens in the area: “I think Kruze had a bad run, and I was excited to be able to turn that around", he says. “I’m always one for a drink, but I used to walk past Kruze and not want to come in. Nobody wanted to be in here".

I had a look at some reviews of Kruze, and the same phrases crop-up regularly: ‘Great views’; ‘fantastic summer alfresco drinking’; ‘just a stone’s throw from the pier’. I’ve often heard people say ‘but it could be so good’. People seemed to be excited about this bar, but for some reason Kruze just wasn’t reaching it’s potential. “Factors like being close to the pier, our welcoming large windows, even the zebra crossing that leads to the front door draws in a different crowd. Kruze gained a reputation as a destination for Hen-nights. No gay boys and girls really wanted to be in that environment", admits Richard. In terms of revenue, attracting this kind of clientele must be sporadic and for the most part seasonal, which has obvious pitfalls; and once a reputation is gained, it’s hard to shake it off. In terms of its place on the gay scene, Kruze appeared to have lost the custom of its intended core market – gay people.

I’m going to make it
obvious that this is a gay
bar, for gay people

One major change planned is a brand new name, and as official pre-club bar for Revenge there’s one that fits the bill perfectly – ‘R Bar’. “I’m going to make it obvious that this is a gay bar, for gay people" states Richard, sounding worryingly like a pink twist on a League of Gentlemen sketch. Refurbishment plans are still heavily under wraps, but Richard is keen to whet our appetites. “We going really cosy and soft, somewhere plush where you can chat. There is of course the added element of a pre-club bar, and we can achieve a two-bar feel as we have two floors. People are bored of bars that look like a departure lounge at Heathrow – all stainless steel and bucket seats. R Bar can offer a lot to the scene, and as I always say – there’s enough handbag here for everyone!"

The transformation may take up to two months, with doors now closed for the refit. “We don’t want to rush anything - we could stay open and do one floor at a time, but that isn’t going to happen. No one is going to know what’s happening and when we re-open our doors, I’m looking for a big wow-factor".

Ideas for launch night? “I have been known to do drag, so that often helps. I’m even willing to do the splits on the bar on launch night if the customers want it!"