With its recent refurbishment, the Village Inn is the last word in funky gay abandon.

The Venue
The recently relaunched Village Inn has left no stone unturned in transforming itself into the premier style/cabaret bar in the gay village. It's brown and white on the outside and has exposed brickwork, shiny wooden floorboards and a white ceiling indoors.

The bar is in the middle on the right and the new stage on the left has been made a bit bigger. And the revamp has also included the installation of a £35,000 JBL sound system and a new lighting rig — plus new plasma screens which cunningly transmit all the action on stage to the other parts of the venue. There’s another room at the back with glossy three-seater cream sofas, brown walls, hanging disco balls and a glass roof covered with blinds. There’s a lovely decked patio out the back now which is adorned with potted plants, a wooden trellis and cover in case of rain. Be warned though, it gets rammed on a Friday and Saturday night when it stays open till 4am.

The People
Fay and care-free, mature and discerning, they all come to the Village Inn for a good night out. Indeed the age range is a reflection of the barstaff which goes from 21 upwards.

The Food and Drink
Not so much of a cocktail bar, the Village Inn is more of a pint and bottle place with Carling, John Smith’s, Strongbow, Kronenbourg on draught, as well as Tetley’s and M and B Mild. It does go in for good wine though and Matthew Clarke has been called in to sort out a new list to go with the new look.

The Last Word
A smart, cool bar which oozes urban chic, the Village Inn is moving forward with consummate confidence.