Orpington has been on the up for a while now with its cinema and new places popping up but now it is set to get even cooler with the opening of a bar and gelateria.

Vibe, based in the Walnut Shopping Centre, opens on Friday (September 16) serving up gelato and cocktails as well as food such as gourmet burgers and sheesh skewers.

Owned by the same father and sons trio who owned Makcari’s in the same location, Vibe has a contemporary and fresh décor and aims to be family-friendly during the day as well as the perfect place to wind-down after work with a mix of live music and DJs.

Co-owner Nejmi Hassan, who changed careers from barrister to barista in the early 2000s, said: “Orpington is changing in a positive direction, simply by modernising the image and making an atmosphere fitting to the current society will attract visitors.

“We have huge developments with the business launching that will put Vibe on the map in Orpington and surrounding towns, it has never been done within hospitality sector, so we, as a family are very excited.”

Vibe will launch with a special appearance from top mixologist Maurice ‘Guru’ Lawrence, who managed Cirque Le Soir and worked at award-winning cocktail lounge Town House and celebrity hot spot Sketch.

A fundraising #GOSHVibe cocktail has been created for the launch to support neighbouring Premier Inn’s charitable fund to build a new unit at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

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