Return of drag and cabaret bar - with extra va-va-voom!

The renamed Charles Street Tap, formerly Charles Street bar, reopened on Friday (December 15), after a £350,000 investment by owners The Stonegate Pub Company, with 13 new jobs, a new menu and a selection of craft beer and gin.

Chris Marshall, general manager of the Charles Street Tap, said: “Our vibrant atmosphere still reigns and we have given the venue an extra va-va-voom to keep up with modern trends. It’s shiny, new and our entertainment line up is as prominent as ever.”

On its opening weekend, described as a celebratory ‘extravaganza’, there were menu tastings, a chance to meet brewers and distillers, heart and soul duo acts, cabaret shows and drag DJ sets.

Legendary drag stars the Drag with No Name and Mrs Moor were on hand to entertain with a triple bill of cabaret on Sunday night to celebrate the newly-revamped bar.

Even Brighton Kemptown's Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle popped in for a pint, and said: "Before I was an MP I’d been known to have a bit of a boogie at the old venue.

"Now I’m helping to relaunch the newly renovated Charles Street Tap! It’s a great new look and I’d recommend coming down to check it out!"