Viva la Revolucion!

By Helena Kealey

YUSU-backed club Vodka Revolution is due to open on February 5th as a swish new rum and vodka bar.

The club was given an official student night on Sundays as part of Democracy & Services Officer Dan Walker’s revamp of club nights last summer, which saw Luminar club Gallery dropped from the official ‘timetable’, and previously ignored clubs embraced by the Union.

This came following Tokyo Industries’ purchase of Tru nightclub, and transforming it into Tokyo, in the club’s second name change in three years.

Last week saw the return of Sunday Night Gallery, an event which used to attract large numbers of students from both the University of York and York St John’s.

The unofficial student ‘SNG’ night in Gallery last Sunday once again attracted large crowds of York students. However, unreasonably long queues forced many to move on.

One first year History and Politics student said that there were so many people milling around that “after half an hour of queuing, we gave up and went elsewhere,” while many remained in line for over an hour.

A blast from the past with familiar drinks deals in Gallery, has left many contemplating what the future holds for Vodka Revs.

One manager explained that the club was merging with Orgasmic, the bar that used to neighbour Vodka Revs before its recent closure and purchase by the franchise.

Having knocked through, Revs are now creating a new ‘light and airy’ space in the original Herald building, with a whole new cocktail list. The new space will also be rebranded, becoming ‘Revolucion de Cuba’, a rum bar with 50 types of rum, including zombie cocktails, to rival student favourite Evil Eye’s eclectic collections.

Not to be outdone by Ziggy’s reputation as a strip club during the week, Vodka Revs will have its own, more conservative, dance evening each week. “We’re going to have salsa every Thursday,” a spokesperson said, which is open to anyone wishing to try out some ‘Love Latino’ dancing.

Due to reopen in February, Revs will double its head count capacity, hopefully leaving fewer students stranded in the cold northern air for too long.

With more floors, and a swish new interior, the old ‘Filthy Rich’ student night is soon to become ‘Rich and Famous,’ in possibly more than just name.

Commenting on Sunday night entertainment until Revolution’s reopening, Walker said that: “as [YUSU] has an exclusive deal with Revs we can’t offer an alternative while it’s closed, however we feel that York’s nightlife will give students options on top of our three currently operating official nights.

“When Revs opens as a full club, I’m sure students will want to see what they’ve actually produced. From that point on it’s up to Vodka Revs to keep competitive! I’m looking forward to seeing a new club in York!”

Tickets for the launch parties on the 11th and 12th February are avilable at www.revolution-bars.co.uk/york.