The Basement bar and live music venue relaunched last night with an open mic night.

Hidden beneath Just Pizza & Pasta, the Wellington Street haunt will throw open its doors on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and looks set to change the live music scene with a cocktail and dining experience that also offers everything from live jazz and blues to Celtic and accoustic.

Production organiser Sarah Pitts said: ’The emphasis here is on the quality of the music, and The Basement plans to showcase the very best musicians that the island has to offer with an ever-changing roster.

’With a nod to prohibition-era New York, The Basement has taken inspiration from the Library Bar in New York’s Hudson Hotel, a moody space of exposed brick and oversized filament bulbs. The ambient low-lighting, discreet bar service and softly played jazz and blues is well calibrated for quiet, close conversation and transitions well from a sound system truly worthy of celebration.’

The new venue also boasts a specially curated drinks list. The cocktail menu has been designed by a ’mixologist’ from the London club scene and features the finest ingredients from around the world.

Sarah said: ’There’s also an extensive collection of artisanal gins with a list of fine, hand-picked wines and beers to satisfy even the more fastidious of connoisseurs, and while there are bar snacks for those who get hungry between drinks, the power of some of the cocktails suggests the need for something more substantial to fortify oneself. This sustenance comes courtesy of Just Pizza & Pasta, The Basement’s sister restaurant, who complement the drinks and music with a menu of pizza and pasta fare.’

justpizzaandpasta.com.