AN AWARD-WINNING venue in Reading has announced its exciting line-up of autumn events.
Blue Collar, who holds events at Market Square and Forbury Gardens, are set to welcome impressive names to Blue Collar Corner.
The Hosier Street venue opened in March, a two-floor bar and food venue boasting 10 beer lines, two kitchens, cocktails and live entertainment.
Blue Collar’s Glen Dinning explained: “We’ve had a fantastic Summer and are really grateful for people being so supportive of Blue Collar Corner”
“As we head towards Christmas, we’re really ramping it up, with heaters on every table, new food options, all seating covered and later opening hours alongside a huge events programme that promises to take what we’ve built to the next level.
“It’s a really exciting time and I think the venue is becoming better and better.”
After a short closure to add cover to seating, heaters on every table and autumnal greenery, the site will reopen on Thursday, October 6.
Jamie Reynolds, of the Klaxons, will headline the grand reopening night, playing a DJ set.
He will be joined by Indie Thursdays resident Rachael Chrisp and DJ-come-promoter Pete Wheeler.
The opening weekend’s events will feature Drag Brunch, Saturday, October 8, and a free arts and craft workshop put on by nearby charity Jelly, Sunday, October 9.
The following weekend, music lovers will be treated to a record fair and social, where they will be able to peruse stalls offering vinyl, CDs and merch.
On Wednesday, October 19, authors of acclaimed Last Night a DJ Saved My Life, Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton, will be talking about their book before playing their own sets.
Justin Robertson, known as the man behind Lionrock and a key influence on The Chemical Brothers, plays a special guest DJ set on Friday, October 21.
As World Cup fever starts taking over, Blue Collar will be hosting a beer tasting evening, featuring a knock out tournament of 16 beers provided by craft brewers Double Barrelled on Wednesday, October 26.
On the night of Saturday, October 29, the venue will be transformed by Aztec imagery, glowing sugar skulls, face painting and much more for Blue Collar Festival of the Dead.
Weekend opening hours at Blue Collar Corner have been extended to 12.30am, with indie anthems on Thursdays and multi-genre DJ sets every Friday and Saturday.
Booths for eight or more people can be booked in advance and are available for private hires and Christmas parties.
A full programme of events in the following months will be released in due course, with Reading favourites The Amazons already confirmed to play a DJ set in November.