Family-orientated sports bar opens in Hastings town centre

Players Sports Bar opened on September 5 and offers a variety of traditional sports bar activities, including snooker, pool, darts, shuffleboard, and arcade games, while also showcasing live sporting events.

Born and bred in Hastings, Tom Cosens owns the business and brings plenty of bar industry experience to the table, having previously operated the 180 Sports Bar at Marlborough House in the town centre.

Tom said: "I felt that the town needed a sports entertainment venue. With this one, we're a bit more family-friendly.

"I found the building through Dyer & Hobbis, and looked around about 18 months ago. Because Owens went into administration, the license expired, so it's been about 16 months applying for a new license and getting that granted. And then getting planning and so forth on my area here. The two ladies who own the whole building are sectioning it up into different compartments, different self-contained units."

He added: "Kids are welcome here up until 9pm, as long as an adult accompanies them. We're just trying to get Hastings back together again, trying to make it that family-orientated place, which I think the town's missing.

"I've lived in Hastings all my life, and there's always been something, and the last few years there hasn't been anything. I want it to be somewhere that a mixture of people can go, groups of lads, groups of girls, couples, but also families where they can take their children out and feel safe in a pleasant environment."

The bar's kitchen is scheduled to be operational in two weeks, serving classic sports bar dishes such as burgers and chicken and chips. Tom mentioned he will also invite former professionals from the worlds of snooker, darts, and pool to give demonstrations. He has already secured ex-world champion darts player Steve Beaton for an appearance on December 11th. Additionally, Tom plans to host a darts competition every three months, with the first on December 12th.

Talking about the opening, he said: "We had Jack the Lad from More Radio open it for us during the afternoon. I also had a couple of friends of mine, Kevin Painter, ex-dart professional, and Mark King, ex-snooker. They came down for the opening night to get that going.

"I was quite nervous at the start because I put a 12 o'clock opening, and you're waiting to see whether people turn up. It was pleasantly surprising. A good mixture of people. I couldn't have asked for it to go any better.

"I want to thank the building owners. Also Chris Salmons, the builder, and my two daughters, Courtney and Lacey, who have been immense. And the staff, who've been brilliant, along with Mike and Kev. Special mention to Adrian for helping with the darts area, and Ryan, who's been doing our media. Thank you."

You can follow their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586145667024 or search for Players Sports Bar.