Next week sees the return of music and other events to a well loved venue in Myddleton Road, Bowes Park.
The new owners of 101 Myddleton Road have paid homage to its previous identity as The Step by retaining the former bar's distinctive exterior colour scheme
The announcement of two events scheduled for 23rd and 24th July at 101 Myddleton Road signals the reopening of this popular local cafe/bar after it was rescued from being turned into an HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) and purchased by the community. The former Step, now rechristened "Hillbilly Social at 101", will play host on Tuesday to Bowes Park Folk Club and on Wednesday to Homebrew Poetry.
The opening of Hillbilly Social as a community owned business is the culmination of the Save the Step campaign, the first stage of which involved persuading Haringey Council to register the premises as an Asset of Community Value. This meant that the local community had a window of opportunity to raise sufficient funds to purchase the building. After succeeding in raising more than £200,000 from local people and with help from some funding provided by Co-operatives UK and the government, the campaign was able, in May last year, to report that "We've got the keys!" and set about delivering their goals:
- To serve food and drink at a variety of price points
- To open for a minimum of 6 days per week
- To host community events and workshops, as well as live music and quiz nights, etc
- To provide a base for local community groups to meet, at low or no cost.
Achieving those goals required refurnishing the interior, which had been comprehensively trashed by the previous landlord as part of his plan to create small flats and bedsits, and finding someone to operate the new business. The successful bidder was Muswell Hillbilly Brewers, operator of a microbrewery and taproom/bar in (of course) Muswell Hill. Hence the new name Hillbilly Social at 101.
What Muswell Hillbilly Brewers are promising for 101 Myddleton Road
The Hillbilly Social drinks offering will promote our own beer, as well as a range of other local, independent craft breweries. In addition we will offer other locally sourced spirits, wines and non-alcoholic drinks. Our drink and food offering will include locally, ethically sourced ingredients and be family friendly.
The Hillbilly Social will provide our own consistent food offering that caters for families wanting a daytime after school space and weekend brunch. In addition, pop up food providers will provide a varied, quality food offering during the evenings and Sunday lunch time.
The Hillbilly Social will host and organise social events that reflect the interests and needs of the local community. The social programme will include music, comedy, quiz nights, workshops, exhibitions, clubs, activities for families and other events that bring people together as a community focused venue.
