VENUE IS NOW CLOSED DOWN
It was just a quick visit, hoping to return soon for longer but we thought we would pop in and have a look at the new Paint Shop cocktail bar on Ashby High Street. It’s rather disguised, even though its a large unit, it’s a working progress on the exterior curb side and if you don’t know it’s there, you might miss it.
Previously the old Dulux decorating centre on the corner, it’s now been transformed into a fully functioning venue. It’s currently offering a range of cocktails and non-alcoholic options with karaoke on a weekend, weekday quiz night, live comedy and music but what’s really exciting for Ashby is that soon there will be Axe throwing lanes, Crazy Golf and escape rooms, all in one place, sounds like a good night out, right?
First impressions it’s clear it’s not quite finished yet but as time goes on it’s going to just get better and better. It’s got black interior walls and splashes of colour with little nods to the Paint Shop. I like the metal rigging around the venue, which I guess is more for the stage and lighting than aesthetics but it adds to the overall look of the venue. It’s got the hanging pink wisteria that seems popular with venues at the moment and this adds a pop of colour and cosy to the space, it’s a lot bigger than I expected from the photos i’d seen prior. It’s got a modern and almost industrial vibe to it.
What I did like was they had a lot of non-alcoholic options and this makes a change because you can be quite stuck when you don’t drink alcohol in a bar, you’re limited to 1 choice of a 0% beer or some fizzy drinks. We opted for the mocktail version of a Mojito, it was presented well, refreshing and minty.
It just so happens Karaoke was on Saturday, so we had a bit of Wheatus, Paramore and Shania Twain over the mic. Karaoke seems to be gaining popularity with a younger audience in the area lately and if it’s bringing people in, it can’t be all that bad!
I’m looking forward to seeing how this venue progresses, it’s certainly hitting the UPS (unique selling point) for the area. Offering the people of Ashby another option for a night out. Hopefully the venue will attract people to visit the other venues and eateries on Ashby High Street. Seemingly due to the bad weather and it being early on in the month it wasn’t full of people but I can imagine when it is, there will be a lively atmosphere. People seemed friendly and the ages were varied but it appeared to be a slightly younger crowd.
Apologies for my lack of photos, I always feel a bit awkward just walking around taking photos, but I’ll get some more next time, you can check out my little TikTok video here.
The Paint Shop cocktail bar is open daily from 5pm until late.
Don’t forget the other venues on the Ashby Strip, Including Mill Road Club, The Malt Shovel and The Crown, where you can often find live music and friendly people.
Scunthorpe Nights 