Live music bar opens its doors in Hull, putting a whole new spin on evening entertainment

A brand new live music bar is opening in Hull, promising an experience that combines live bands, dynamic DJ sets and dazzling dance from professional performers.

Rio Music Bar has evolved out of the former Silvers Bar, in Silver Street. The team behind Rio have said it has been inspired by iconic venues like Newcastle’s Purple Peacock and the vibrant charm of Albert’s Schloss, an alpine restaurant and beer hall in Liverpool.

A spokesperson for Rio’s management team said: “We wanted to create a venue that brings people together through the universal language of music and entertainment. Whether you’re here for the music, the performances or just the electric atmosphere, Rio is all about letting loose and having a great time.”

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Following a preview event yesterday, the doors will be open from 4pm today for a free grand opening celebration night full of the “energy and allure” that the music bar hopes will help shake up the city’s evening economy and give people the perfect excuse to head into Hull.

The spokesperson said he hoped the “transformed” venue complete with a 10m-long two-tier stage –“no one will be struggling to see over heads” – and a luxuriously-designed interior space would become the go-to destination for people in Hull and beyond. A curated line-up of live bands and DJs, themed events, mesmerising acts and a crafted menu of signature cocktails are all to be part of the “immersive experience”.

What will be different about Rio will be that live entertainment will start in the afternoon to capture the early evening crowd looking for a fun night that does not creep into the early hours. The spokesperson said: “Since the pandemic, certainly, we’ve seen habits change, and particularly among the slightly older 30s and over.

“There are some who like this daytime clubbing idea. The entertainment will start at 4pm and finish around 8.30pm; the venue will then change into late-night mode with the DJs. This is a very different level of entertainment for Hull and we hope that it is going to be very, very well received.”

Tribute bands will be one of the big crowd-pleasers at Rio, with award-winning Abba Revival booked to appear before Christmas. “That’s the quality of band we want to be playing here; we’ve got Beautiful Couch, Badness and an Oasis tribute booked.

“Six months down the line, we’ll be introducing more things, possibly a Thursday jazz evening, as we discover our audiences. It’s a big enough space to do lots of other things.”

Find out more at the Rio Music Bar website and on social media.