Electric atmosphere on opening night at Grimsby's new drag bar
The Old Exchange is now open
Luke GreenReporter
A new drag bar in Grimsby has enjoyed an incredibly successful opening night.
From drag queens to customers, an electric atmosphere at The Old Exchange suggests the future is set to be bright for Grimsby's newest establishment.
While their carvery remains to be completed, the bar and entertainment section were welcoming guests tonight as it opened it's doors for the first time.
The bar hopes to welcome as many people as it can under Covid restrictions and showcase a whole host of talent to Grimsby locals.
For owner Craig Brown, it's been great to finally get the doors open to the public.
He said: "It's been a bit stressful these past couple of days, but people seem to love it.
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The Old Exchange is celebrating its grand opening night (Image: GRIMSBY NEWS AND PICTURS AGENCY)
"Knowing we were fully booked meant we were almost certain we'd do well, but seeing it in reality hit home that we might be doing something right.
"It's been a difficult couple of days, but now we can finally relax. It's great to see the staff enjoying themselves too.
"Knowing it's busy is great and we just want more of the same going forward. We just need to make sure we're doing what we can to keep everyone in check with Covid precautions."
Fellow owner Lewis Dinnadge said it is a relief to finally get the venue open. He said: "I've been very nervous recently and haven't slept in two days.
"I feared no one would turn up, but it's very busy so I just hope it stays this way from now on. I'll be excited to get the carvery up and running when we can, I know it's unusual, but it works.
"Yesterday someone even said they'd pay us to move the bar to Cleethorpes. We've been one of the worst hit industries so it's great to be back and doing it again."
22 pictures from opening night at The Old Exchange, Grimsby's new drag bar
For performer Natasha Von Spirit, from Liverpool, this was her first visit to Grimsby but she said she'll be back again for sure.
She said: "Everyone here is up for it and it's nice to work somewhere different.
"'It's just nice to be working again, it's been a bad year for my industry.
First look inside Grimsby's drag bar carvery offering meat, veg and good times
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"I've not seen much of Grimsby while I've been here, but I've enjoyed what I have seen so far. Everyone is really friendly and incredibly down to earth."
Customers to the bar on opening night were loving the venue.
Jess Garrod, from Grimsby, said: "It's nice to not have to travel three hours to see a drag act. It is really strange though, I've not seen a drag act in 15 months and I'd completely forgotten how tall and beautiful they are.
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"I'll definitely be using this place more frequently for sure."
Lauren and Eve Rennie-Braid said it was a great way to celebrate being allowed back inside pubs and bars.
Eve said: "it's really wonderful and I'm excited to be out and about.
"It's a privilege to be out and it's nice to know we can go out and be ourselves once more. It's exciting to see what they've done here as well, it's great."
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