Bars enter New Year on a high

The O2 Arena may have stolen the headlines with its glittering New Year's Eve show, which boasted Elton John, X Factor darling Alexandra Burke, Will Young and 17,000 punters paying up to £100 a ticket.

But West India Quay bars also courted crowds for the countdown. Many O2 visitors enjoyed a drink afterwards at the Marriott before retiring to their rooms, and Bar 38 and Via both unpacked the turntables for late-night celebrations.

Several Wharf bars closed at 6pm on January 31, but Bar 38 played funky house until 1.30am and Via guests lasted until 3am.

Bar 38 manager Dave Gunn said: “It was pretty busy. We had everyone out on the patio by midnight. I haven’t seen the bar so busy outside since the summer.

“November was shocking, but we had a fantastic Christmas. We did parties for West Ham United and London City Airport, and had bookings as early as April.

“We were organised, doing showcases and inviting people down. We got the staff very drunk on champagne later to say thank you.�

Via manager Sam Gray said: “We did very well over Christmas, and everyone that came down on New Year’s Eve had a ball.

“We were more realistic this year. We’ve never really attracted the huge corporate events. The people that booked with us saved up all year for their party, and really wanted to come out and have fun.�

Fishermans Walk bar The Fine Line also reported brisk festive trade, while new Wharf Wetherspoons manager John Wall reported “record sales� at The Ledger Building. The former Sheffield and Rotherham pub operator – who started in November – is planning to introduce more beer festivals to attract visitors.

He said: “I’ve heard a lot of doom and gloom stories about the pressure on bars but that’s not been my experience here.

“We opened all day on Christmas Eve this year, and we did record sales in the pub this Christmas. It was very positive.

“We’ve brought in some new offers and business is absolutely booming, which is bucking the national trend.�

Bars are now laying on mouth-watering deals to attract the shy January customer. Bar 38 is offering January offers such as £20 bottles of Lanson champagne, soup and a sandwich for £4.50, pasta and Peroni beer for £8.95 and a Sunday roast for £5.

The Fine Line is handing out £10 discount vouchers for meals for four, and £5 reductions for meals for two. And Via slashed food prices in half as it launched a new food menu on Tuesday.

Dishes include a half-pound Aberdeen Angus burger with chips, salad and coleslaw for £5.20, a £7.95 Surf and Turf and a £2.95 bread bowl with hot filling.

Manager Sam Gray said: “We did a survey of customers in October, who told us our food was great but too expensive. The prices on our new menu are around half of the previous one, and we're offering deals such as two meals for £8 to entice customers in."