The Retreat Cheltenham celebrates 25 year anniversary

8 December – The Retreat wine bar in Cheltenham will be celebrating its 25th anniversary this December, with a week-long line-up of events scheduled for the occasion.

It was a staggering 25 years ago that The Retreat – one of Cheltenham’s most popular wine bars – swung open its doors for the first time, as London couple Mike and Lella Dey kept their fingers firmly crossed the new venture would cut it with the town’s pub goers.

Setting out to attract a varied clientele of all ages, featuring high ceilings and wooden floors akin to trendy haunts in the capital, and boasting deep red walls which left passers-by wondering if the building had been taken over by communists – The Retreat was certainly a break from the norm locals were used to.

But 25 years on and The Retreat has become an institution of Cheltenham’s nightlife – having introduced draft Stella, bottled Sol, innovative lunchtime food and wild fancy dress parties along the way.

And, to celebrate the occasion in true style, The Retreat will be inviting patrons old and new to join them for a week-long line-up of events:

Monday 3 December 2007

From 8pm to 10pm, The Retreat will be hosting a night of live music – with performances from acoustic indie and folk singer songwriter Polly Hills, as well as set by acoustic alternative rock performer Jason Soudah.

Tuesday 4 December 2007

While evenings at The Retreat are usually about drinks rather than dining, for one night only the kitchen will be opened from 7pm to 10pm to serve a special set menu priced at £20 per person.

Wednesday 5 December 2007

From 7pm until late, if you’re anywhere near The Suffolks then expect to hear renditions of all the great classics, as The Retreat hosts what is expected to be a popular karaoke and cocktail night.

Thursday 6 December 2007

The Retreat will be recreating a day at the races from 7.30pm until late, when bar flies will be invited to place their bets and witness the big screen thrills and spills for the race night.

Friday 7 December 2007

The Retreat is well-known for its outrageous fancy dress parties, and from 8pm visitors will be invited to arrive in their best 1980s clobber to dance the night away to a set of music from the decade.

Saturday 8 December 2007

Marking the official 25th year anniversary and completing the wine bar’s week-long celebrations will be a funky disco kicking off at 8pm and running until late, when the resident DJ will be hoping to fill the dance floor with a suitably celebratory set.

Event: The Retreat 25th anniversary events
Venue: The Retreat
Date: Monday 3 December to Saturday 8 December 2007
Times: Vary per specific event, see above for details
Tickets: All of the events are free to enter

SoGlos.com
30 November 2007