MOJO Bar - Music for the people

This month I’m lucky enough to be writing from rum and sun soaked Cuba. The fact that I’m writing from here is less about wanting to show off and more a testament to my  awesome ability to procrastinate. I was going to get a little piece done before we left about how quiet January gets [...]

In these past few weeks Leeds has experienced a tidal wave of festive revellers: Office parties, assorted work do’s and students in Christmas hats have been flooding our fair city, rockin’ out and spreading good cheer. It’s been fun for us bartenders too; there’s a lot to be said for a full-on party rolling in [...]

It’s coming up to the year’s end and since a bartender getting time off in December is the stuff of a madman’s dreams, I’ve been forced to either use up some holiday time now or lose it forever. Between jetting around, dining in the finest restaurants, attending dinner parties and sipping champagne on luxurious yachts, [...]

Many of you cool cats will already be aware that Mr Lee Jones had made good his escape from Mojo, along with our ex-manager Mr Andy Turner, to open their new bar, Wax. While he paints, saws, sands and stresses his way to an early grave, he’s asked me to take over his blog. Which means all you lucky people can [...]

In the past few months or so you’ve probably added a bar or two on one of the many social networking sites that are available in this modern age. I too was pleasantly surprised when I realised I could be friends with a building, although nights out on the town could pose a problem. Bars [...]

There really is nothing quite as spectacular a sight as a gaggle of 40-something women on a hen do, it’s a true metamorphosis, because you know after that weekend they’re all going back to the office with no concept or memory of the damage they’ve caused. But for now they’re on the prowl, all carrying [...]

In my eyes (or ears) music is the most important aspect of creating a bar atmosphere. It can be the reason for a group going into a place or the reason for staying for that extra beer. It’s a conversation starter or memory transportation to another time and place; I don’t think enough emphasis can [...]

I have this recurring dream.  A customer buys a drink and because I served him quickly and politely I’m rewarded with treasures beyond my wildest dreams; spending the rest of my days sipping daiquiris on some tropical island whilst being fanned by women in hula-skirts. Alas, as always I awake to the despair of the [...]

In Leeds we have a large range of late bars throughout town which can be a blessing or a curse, generally depending which side of the bar you’re on and whether you’re a social vampire. When is a late closing taking it too far, will it be Bloody Marys for breakfast at the bar you [...]

As you may or may not be aware, the government has passed an order that concerns the legislation of the Licensing Act. It includes a new ‘code’ which basically prevents any drink promotions that encourage acts of debauchery such as speed drinking, giving booze as rewards (perish the thought!) and pouring jager into customers mouths [...]