From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Liane Castle, 28 November 2022.

DurBAR cocktail lounge takes over former Rewind Bar in New Street, Ashford.

A crime-hit former bar has been turned into a cocktail lounge - and bosses are promising to transform the site's troubled reputation.

DurBAR in Ashford town centre was opened earlier this month by brothers Phurgyalzin Sherpa and Richard Gurung.

The owners hops it is a space people will feel safe coming to.

The pair took over the site in September and spent months renovating it into a new refreshed space after previous tenants "Rewind Bar" closed after announcing it was relocating.

The site, which is close to the town's historic tank in New Street, has a long history as a drinking establishment, some of which had troublesome reputations.

Before Rewind Bar moved in, the nightspot was known as "Auction House" but it had its licence revoked in 2017 following a series of glass attacks.

Lancashire cricketer Liam Livingstone was also glassed in the face and suffered deep cuts near his eyes after a night out at the venue in August 2015.

The venture reopened in May 2018 as "Lot 7" following renovation work but closed within a year.

Phurgyalzin Sherpa, director at DurBAR.

It was formerly Auction House. This was followed by another hopeful, which restored the name Auction House and heavily renovated and refurbished the building and garden, but the site later closed.

The troubled history is something Mr Sherpa, 31, says he is confident he can shake off as he has introduced a number of measures to make sure people feel safe.

"We understand there is a history which is why we have linked up with a security company and we will be providing security every time there is a late night event, and every Friday and Saturday," he said.

"We will be using polycarbonate glasses to mitigate the risk that are posed by glasses.

"On Fridays and Saturdays after 9pm we will switch beer glasses to plastic cups too.

There are nods to Nepal throughout.

"We also have an ID scanner so we will make sure everything is controlled from the entrance.

"At the moment we don't do food, however we do allow customers to bring their own food so they don't get too intoxicated.

"We want to do good. I understand the reputation of this place from previous tenants wasn't as good as you would hope, but we aim to be better and make sure people who come here feel safe."

The name DurBAR means 'palace' in Nepalese, a culture which Mr Sherpa says is fused with modern styles throughout the bar.

It serves traditional cocktails alongside spirits and drinks authentic to Nepal and has a stage for live performances.

The space has been transformed into DurBAR.

In the new year bosses hope to introduce a snack menu when the kitchen is up and running.

While there are a number of other bars around Ashford, those behind DurBAR hope they can create a unique place for people to visit.

Mr Sherpa added: "If you go around Ashford after midnight, all you can find is the Ashford Club or Cameo.

"But we're not trying to be a nightclub, a restaurant or a traditional pub.

"We don't want to be linked with places where there is loud music, or where it's too crowded, we just want to provide a place where people can dance, sit down and enjoy the vibe.

How the site looks.

DurBAR means 'palace' in Nepalese.

"We have lots of restaurants in Ashford where you can try the authentic Nepalese taste, but here you can come and try the spirits and the cocktails.

"I know it will be different with us being from the Gurkha community but we want to ensure everyone comes together because everyone is welcome to enjoy it here."

The bar is open everyday from 10am during the World Cup.

It closes at 12pm Sunday to Thursday and stays open until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.

During exclusive ticketed events, the cocktail lounge will stay open until 4am.