The venue that’s a ‘celebration of all things country’ is set to open this week promising live music, line dancing lessons and an Americana atmosphere
Tony Beacock and Lennon Tramner on stage at Jolene’s, the new Nashville-inspired country bar opening in Newland Avenue, Hull(Image: Submitted)
A taste of Nashville is heading to Hull very soon as the city’s latest bar gets ready to throw open its doors this week. Jolene’s will be bringing country, folk and Americana to Newland Avenue, offering live music and line dancing in a venue that aims to provide something truly different to the area’s nightlife offering.
Launching on Friday, October 2, the Nashville-inspired honky-tonk bar is the newest project from the team behind Molly Mangan’s and Paddy Mangan’s, where regular live music has become a major attraction.
The space has been crafted to recreate the atmosphere of a Nashville dive bar. Guitars adorn the walls, while weathered timber, barrels and vintage American signage complete the aesthetic. A stars-and-stripes stage stands as the centrepiece, prepared for an extensive schedule of live performances.
For co-owner Jack Mangan, Jolene’s represents something of a passion project. As a longstanding country music enthusiast who has visited Tennessee and frequently attends shows by some of the genre’s biggest stars, he was keen to bring elements of that experience back to East Yorkshire.
He said: “I’ve loved country music for years and it feels like it’s having a real moment in the UK. We want Jolene’s to be somewhere you can walk through the door, grab a drink and hear brilliant music in a proper honky-tonk atmosphere.”
Entertainment manager Danilo Swire characterises the new establishment as a “celebration of all things country”, spanning old-time country and bluegrass through icons such as Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash to contemporary sounds introducing the genre to a younger audience.
“There’ll be a real bit of everything,” he said. “We’ll have country tribute acts, original singer-songwriters, bands, duos and karaoke. My aim is to bring new musicians and new entertainment to Hull. People that audiences here haven’t seen before.
“There should be a night to please everybody across the seven days.”
Line dancing will take place every Saturday between 3pm and 5pm, with ticketed beginner sessions also planned for midweek. Live entertainment will run from Thursday through to Sunday, alongside student nights and additional events earlier in the week.
During the opening weekend, performers will travel from right across Yorkshire, with country DJs keeping the singalongs going on Friday and Saturday evenings. On Sunday, barrels will be arranged in a circle for an informal country jam session before Tony Beacock and his band deliver original music from 4pm.
The food offering also has an American influence. Jolene’s is partnering with Dirtybird Chicken Shop across the road, allowing customers to enjoy its fried chicken and waffles inside the bar, with hot-wing challenges also being organised.
Those who develop a genuine passion for country music may soon find themselves venturing much further west than Newland Avenue too. To celebrate the launch, Jolene’s is hosting an Instagram giveaway with two flights to Nashville up for grabs.
The venue opens as country music experiences an extraordinary surge in popularity across Britain. According to BPI analysis of Official Charts data, country’s share of the UK singles market more than doubled between 2022 and 2024, reaching its highest point this century.
Stars such as Beyoncé, Post Malone and Shaboozey have helped push country sounds further into the mainstream, while huge British audiences are flocking to see established country performers.
“Country music is bigger than it’s ever been in the UK,” Danilo said. “The inspiration for the bar is really about bringing all that atmosphere from Nashville and having it right here locally.”
Jolene’s will operate seven days a week, opening from 5pm until midnight on weekdays and from noon until late at weekends, with a 2am licence in place.
Danilo also believes the new venue can contribute to Newland Avenue’s ongoing resurgence.
“Newland Avenue is on the up again and there are more and more places opening,” he said. “You can start at one end of the street and work your way along, with different places, great food and different cultures.
“I think it’ll be good for the street to bring a new audience here as well.”
Jolene’s, located near the Cottingham Road end of Newland Avenue and opposite Roots, opens on Friday, October 2.
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