Friday, June 03, 2005

The J-Bar has arrived

Last night's big party was in Dublin Airport where the movers and shakers flocked to for the launch of J-Bar, the trendy new watering hole that is a joint venture of Jameson and the Thomas Read Group. No luggage, no tickets, no passport - just delicious Jameson cocktails.

The night kicked off to a roaring start with a select number of guests travelling to the launch in The Party Limo, a good time on wheels. Filling up the back of the bus were Triona 'Party' McCarthy and Darryn Lee, Brendan Scully, Sean Montague and TV star Caroline Morahan, who was looking forward to travelling to the Smithwicks Cat Laughs Festival in Kilkenny this weekend.

As the karaoke talent dried up we were all treated to an impromptu performance of The Lady is a Tramp by the inimitable Alan Amsby. A show stopper if there was ever one.

At the arrivals hall in Dublin Airport the glamouros guests turned heads as they poured into the J-Bar, welcomed by the beautiful Jameson girls. Among the glam crew were singer Amy Creighton, top choreographer Julian Benson and actress Ciara O'Callaghan. The fashion crowd were well represented by model Katy French, designer Graham Cruz and celebrity makeup artist Derek Carberry with Jamie Molloy, both looking dapper in matching black and white jacket and tie combos.

This Jameson branded bar is the first of its kind in the world and both Jameson and the TR group are confident that their combined experience and unique, international, stylish characteristics will attract both Irish and international jet setters alike.

In their commitment to providing the best, Jameson commissioned internationally acclaimed mixologist John Gakuru from the prestigious Lab Bar in London (the forefront of cocktail creativity) to create new cocktails for the Irish Market. John has specially trained Irish barman Alan Kavanagh who will be mixing a dazzling array of Jameson inspired cocktails and coffees on the night including Irish Mules and Irish Sea Breezes.

Upon leaving the airport the party continued on The Party Limo, were Triona McCarthy and I proceeded to try and sing I've Got You Babe. Even if our fellow guests weren't impressed by our vocal talent they loved our quick wit. We were good for comedy value.

Later on in the night I ventured over to Rush on South William Street, where I bumped into jewellery designer Cathriona Hanly and model Roz Lipsett, who has added another talent to her collection and has become a DJ. She certainly rocks my world.

We finished off the night in Lillies, where Girls Aloud and The Hives were there along with Richard Kavanagh, publicist Roisin Tierney - Crowe, Rob McNaughton and Jayne Murphy, who looked fab in Noa Noa. After all that I think I need another trip to the airport, this time with a ticket to relax.

This evening I shall be enjoying the offerings of the BudRising music festival at PoD, where, according to the grapevine, the Scissor Sisters will be hanging out.

I'll be back on Tuesday. Y'all have a super bank holiday weekend.