Cocktail lovers are being given their first glimpse inside a brand-new County Durham venue ahead of its much-anticipated opening next week.
Mr Mix HQ, a new cocktail bar and events space in Consett, will officially open its doors on October 16 after months of renovation work transformed the former Consett Registry Office on Medomsley Road.
The venue is the latest venture from Dan Bowes, who has built the Mr Mix cocktail business across the North East over 12 years.
(Image: DAN BOWES)
But opening a permanent bar was never part of his plan.
He said: "What's quite surreal is that none of this was really the plan.
"Back in March, I was simply looking for a new office space for Mr Mix.
"Somewhere I could work from, grow the business a little and give myself more room.
"Fast forward a few months and somehow that search has turned into me opening MR MIX HQ, a cocktail bar and events venue, right here in my home town of Consett."
Dan has shared regular updates on his social media.
Local tradespeople and businesses have helped with months of painting, decorating, planning and problem-solving.
Dan said: "There have obviously been stressful moments along the way.
"But genuinely, that has been completely outweighed by the support I've received from people in the town.
"People have stopped me in the street to ask how it's going."
(Image: DAN BOWES)
He added: "Local businesses have dropped food and drinks off while I've been working.
"People have sent messages, shared posts, booked events before the doors are even open and just generally got behind what I'm trying to create.
"Consett, like every town across the country at the moment, has its difficult moments.
"But for me, the people make it."
Dan hopes visitors will notice the work that has gone into the venue.
He continued: "I really hope when people walk through the doors they can feel that it hasn't just been thrown together as another bar.
"There's been a lot of work, a lot of people, a lot of late nights and a lot of heart behind it."
Dan also praised the local tradespeople who helped create Mr Mix HQ.
Mr Mix HQ's iconic black and pink colours cover the new venue. (Image: DAN BOWES)
He said: "I also really want to shout out the trades guys who have become a massive part of this journey.
"Nathan from Giz A Bell, Richard from Interior Options North East, Stuart from Stuart Martin Electrician and Daniel from GM Plumbing and Heating Specialists Ltd have all been absolutely brilliant.
"They were originally coming in to do individual jobs, but they’ve ended up getting properly involved in the whole thing.
"They’ll finish long days doing their actual jobs and then still come down to HQ, get stuck in, help with other bits and genuinely do whatever they can to help me get the doors open.
"That support means more than I can probably put into words."
The grand opening will take place on Friday, October 16, with live music, a welcome drink and canapés from Snakas.
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Only 30 launch tickets remain.
Anyone who misses out can see inside the following day at the venue’s 'Have A Nosey Day' open event.
Planned events include a Rocky Horror sing-along cinema night and a bottomless brunch later in October.