The Grapevine champagne and jazz bar in Conduit Hill, by Adams in the High Street, kicked off a series of Christmas events there this Thursday, December 1, as Rye News was about to be published, with a local duo singing jazz classics.
Alain Du Sel and Ellie Laine (pictured above) said they would be “minus the bling and stripped of sequins” , but many may know them as the Bling Crosbies from local festivals and other events. They will be back with the bling on December 19 and 21 at their apparently favourite haunt, Simply Italian, down by Strand Quay.
However The Grapevine is not short of bling itself with regular live jazz, cocktails every Thursday from 6:30pm and a champagne list that ranges from the manageable to the spectacular.
Other free events at the Grapevine include the Robert Reid Duo on Friday December 2, and the following Fridays December 9, 16 and 23. Also Mick Bolton from Mott the Hoople will perform on Saturday December 3, and the following Saturdays December 10, 17 and 24. Dom Pipkin features on Friday December 30 and Earl Okin features on New Year’s Eve December 31.
On Sunday December 4 there is a charge, though, of £15 for Mike Hatchard’s “Jazz a trois” from 3pm to 5pm, but that includes mince pies, mulled wine and a Christmas cocktail.
On Thursday December 22, residents are invited to the Grapevine to celebrate its first Christmas in Conduit Hill, 8-11 pm with live music including Mick Bolton and mince pies and even more champagne and cocktails.
Photo: Tony McLaughlin